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Future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander was named the 2022 American League Cy Young Award winner. It is the third time he's won the award, having captured it back in 2011 with the Detroit Tigers and in 2018 with the Houston Astros.
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"One of the best to ever do it. For the third time in his career, Justin Verlander is your AL Cy Young Award winner." - @ MLB
What makes this one extra special, however, is the hurdles he had to overcome en route. Verlander had Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2021 season. At the ripe age of 39, no one expected him to pitch one of the most prolific seasons of his career in 2022.
Justin Verlander led all MLB pitchers in ERA with 1.75 and WHIP with 0.83 and also led the American League in wins with 18. This made him the unanimous choice for MVP as all the first-place votes headed his way.
Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara was unanimously voted for the NL Cy Young, marking the first time that both Cy Young Awardees were voted unanimously.
Beloved by fans across the league, Verlander received congratulatory messages for his impressive accomplishments.
One fan stated:
"Hall of Fame will be waiting for him."
Another fan stated:
"It was a formality at this point."
It is yet to be seen if he will don the Houston Astros jersey in the future. However, if he decides to wrap it up with the men from Space City, Verlander won't have any regrets as he has done everything in his power to propel the team to two World Series titles.
Justin Verlander's contract situation
Justin Verlander is currently a free agent and has declined a $25 million extension to remain with the Astros.
It is reported that the veteran is looking for a contract that is similar to Max Scherzer's three-year, $130 million deal with the New York Mets. For that to be possible, a team should be willing to pay the 39-year-old close to $43 million a year.
From Verlander's perspective, however, it is a totally justifiable demand as he just claimed another Cy Young award on the back of a stellar 2022 campaign. Testing the waters of free agency will certainly be beneficial for him given his current age and what's left in his tank.
