What Is Justin Verlander Looking For?

Tom Gage of the Detroit News brought up something very interesting in today’s Monday’s Soup. Justin Verlander is eligible for arbitration, he’ll surely get a raise from his $3.675 million salary from 2009 but how big of a raise will he ask for? Thinking about it that’s a great question to ask.

I believe that there is one pitchers contract we should look at when guessing what Verlander might make in 2010. That pitcher would be Josh Johnson of the Florida Marlins. He avoided arbitration by signing a deal and that deal should be the basis for Verlander’s asking price AND the basis of a potential deal that avoids arbitration.

Johnson received a four year, $39 million to avoid arbitration. That equates to just under $10 million per season. Johnson received that salary after only 76 big league starts with a 3.40 ERA. In 2009, he also struck out 191 batters in 209 innings pitched, both career highs.

Verlander has an even better track record. He’s started 132 games in his career and sports a 3.92 ERA. In 2009, he struck out 269 batters over 240 innings. He’s been an innings eater throughout his career averaging over 200+ a season over four years.

Gage says that there is “speculation that Justin Verlander could make anywhere from $8 million to $10 million”.

Personally, I think that is on the low end, how can he make less then Johnson? Johnson put up spectacular numbers but didn’t face the same caliber of hitters as Verlander.

Verlander deserves at least what Johnson is getting, and I feel it should be slightly more. Unfortunately for him he’s still in the arbitration process so that might not happen. He’ll definitely get a substantial raise but will the Tigers wise up and just pay him close to what he wants?

I know they’re financially strapped but wouldn’t it be better to keep the guy happy before he hits free agency?

Gage is curious what he’ll ask for but didn’t make an assumption. I will, based on what Johnson is earning I believe he’ll ask for something in the $12-15 million range and hope the courts or Tigers reward hi min kind.