"Justin Verlander's favorite pitcher growing up was Nolan Ryan" - MLB insider optimistic after 9x All-Star's $15,000,000 Giants move

Justin Verlander, who soon will be 42, will play his 20th season in the majors in the Bay Area following a one-year, $15 million deal signing with the San Francisco Giants reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan on Tuesday. The deal is pending at physical.

Verlander, a three-time Cy Young winner and nine-time All-Star, has achieved almost everything needed to have his plaque in Cooperstown. When asked about retirement previously, the 41-year-old said he'd like to pitch into his mid-40s and reach as close to 300 wins as possible. He currently is on 262 wins.

During Tuesday's appearance on MLB Network, insider Jon Morosi discussed Verlander's signing with the Giants.

"I think it's a great fit and a place for Justin to continue what he hopes will be the march to 300 wins," Morosi said. "He's at 262 right now. He knows San Francisco is a great place to pitch."

Morosi further shared that Verlander's favorite pitcher growing up was Nolan Ryan and it doesn't surprise him that he's following in his footsteps.

"He has said to me and others before, Matt, that he wants to pitch until he's 45. He's got years to go before he calls it a career," Morosi added. "He's often talked about his favorite pitcher growing up, Matt, being Nolan Ryan, who pitched until his mid-40s. So it does not surprise me in the least that JV is still going, and San Francisco is a really good place to pitch."

Jon Morosi believes Justin Verlander could have a good year in 2025

Justin Verlander has suffered several injuries in the last few seasons, limiting his time on the mound. Last season, he probably had his worst season in the majors, posting a 5.48 ERA across 17 pitching appearances. Well, it's easy to believe why he may not have a good year in 2025, but the insider believes otherwise.

Jon Morosi shared Justin Verlander performed well in 2023 (3.15 ERA), and thinks the aging pitcher has it in him to do the same in 2025.

"I go back, Matt, to what he did in 2023," Morosi added. "2022 might be a lot to expect him to get back to, but 2023, that was just a year ago and he was playing a really important role initially, of course, with the Mets, then got traded to the Astros and helped them reach the ALCS. He is still a very effective pitcher, and we have seen him find ways, multiple new beginnings within his career."

Justin Verlander is chasing the elusive goal to become the last player to reach 300 wins as a pitcher. Only 24 pitchers in major league history have reached the feat. And with modern baseball taking over, Verlander might well be the last pitcher to do so.