On Friday, baseball writer Bob Nightengale of USA Today predicted that Verlander would return to Houston when discussing possible trades and free-agent targets. It was with the Astros that Verlander won two World Series titles, a Cy Young Award, and also has a home near the spring training complex in Jupiter, Florida.

Presently, Verlander is a free agent after playing one year with the Giants. In January, Verlander signed a one-year $15 million contract with San Francisco. Altogether, he finished the year with a 4-11 record and a 3.85 ERA along with 137 strikeouts.

Meanwhile, the Giants finished the season with an 81-81 record and missed the playoffs. Conversely, the Astros finished 87-75 and in second place in the AL West, but missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Verlander is a three-time Cy Young Award winner and a nine-time MLB All-Star. In 2011, he won the pitching triple crown with the Detroit Tigers. He led the AL with 24 wins, a 2.40 ERA, and 250 strikeouts.

Currently, Verlander has 266 wins, a 3.32 ERA, and 3,553 strikeouts.

Justin Verlander became a winner with the Astros

It was during his time in Houston that Verlander solidified his greatness. In 2019 and 2022, he won two out of his three Cy Young Awards. Also, in 2017 and 2022, he was part of two World Series winning teams.

It was also during that stretch where he captured his 300th win and 3,000th strikeout. Plus, Verlander threw his third career no-hitter on Sept. 1, 2019 in a 2-0 win against the Toronto Blue Jays. Also during one game, Verlander secured a career high 15 strikeouts against the Milwauke Brewers in June 2019.

Overall, Verlander achieved a 2.41 ERA in 302 innings and 388 strikeouts during his tenure in Houston.