"Celtics Shaq vibes"; "Buster Posey giving jobs to friends from 50s" - Fans react to Justin Verlander's reported $15,000,0000 Giants move

Justin Verlander, another former Cy Young winner off the free-agent market, has found a new home on the West Coast signing a one-year, $15 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, according to ESPN. The agreement is pending a physical, Jeff Passan reports, as the soon-to-be 42-year-old will play his 20th season in 2025.

The future Hall of Famer appeared in just 17 games in the 2024 season with the Houston Astros, going 5-6 and a 5.48 ERA. The numbers are a far cry from what the pitcher was in his prime, boasting three Cy Youngs in his cabinet. However, the 41-year-old is running on fumes as he hopes to provide the Giants a veteran arm in the rotation.

Some fans have compared this signing of the Giants by their president Buster Posey to the Boston Celtics signing Shaquille O'Neal, who was well past his prime, for the 2010-11 season. Fans tried their hands at the joke.

"Buster Posey is giving jobs to all of his friends from the 50's," one fan take a dig at Giants' new president.

"MLB's version of Shaq in Boston," another said.

Fan Reactions

"Wow. I wonder what version of Verlander they will get," one fan posted.

"So now San Fran has become the retirement home of the MLB," one fan wrote.

"From the Astros to the Mets and now the Giants - Verlander's really out here collecting teams like baseball cards in the twilight of his career," another wrote.

Giants add a stellar arm to their ranks in Justin Verlander

Over the last few years, Justin Verlander has struggled with injuries, affecting his playing time. The once 200-inning starter per season only pitched 90.1 innings last year. While the Giants are not expecting the same production, they hope Verlander could provide them with at least 120 innings in 2025 with an ERA under 4.00.

Verlander, who spent the majority of his career with the Detroit Tigers, joins a young rotation that will be spearheaded by Logan Webb. Jordan Hicks, Robbie Ray, Kyle Harrison and Hayden Birdsong will probably make up the rotation next season.

With Justin Verlander running on fumes, the Giants will like to extract his best, as they look forward to being competitive in Buster Posey's first year as front office chair.