Verlander Rejects Giants Reunion – But His Emotional Return to Another Team Leaves Fans Heartbroken and Speechless

Sep 12, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) reacts after a defensive play against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

While a reunion between Justin Verlander and the SF Giants seemed like a possibility at the start of the offseason, after the Giants added two starters in free agency that door seemed to close. However, Verlander has ended up reuniting with another team in the Detroit Tigers.

It is a fitting match for the soon-to-be 43-year-old. He was drafted by and made his MLB debut with the Tigers back in 2005. He won his first Cy Young Award and an MVP Award with the Tigers earlier in his career and established himself as one of the best pitchers in the game in Detroit.

Former SF Giants pitcher Justin Verlander reunites with Tigers

Astros must resist fan-favorite reunion no matter how tempting it feels

Now, he will join a loaded staff in Detroit with Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez. If 2025 was any indication, Verlander still has plenty left in the tank so he could end up being a valuable contributor for a Tigers team that has its eyes on the playoffs.

Last season with San Francisco, Verlander had a 3.85 ERA in 29 starts and 152 innings pitched. He proved to be a great addition for the Giants and down the stretch when the Giants were trying to make a late push for the playoffs he was arguably the team’s most dependable starter.

However, he did have a record of 4-11 and probably should have had at least three or four more wins but the bullpen blew some leads late which cost him. He is at 266 career wins and has said he would like to get to 300. That seems a bit ambitious, but the fact he is even that close speaks to the amazing career he has had.

The Giants had to have some backup plans if Verlander went elsewhere in free agency and they ultimately settled on Adrian Houser and Tyler Mahle. After the Giants signed Mahle to give themselves five viable starters, it seemed obvious that a reunion with Verlander was no longer in the cards. The veteran also lives in Florida so the fact that the Tigers have their spring training on the east coast certainly works out better for him and his family.

The Giants and Tigers will face each other in August in San Francisco so maybe Verlander will get to face his old team. We know what happened the last time he was on that mound in a Tigers uniform back in Game 1 of the 2012 World Series, so the Giants will be hoping for a repeat of that if they face the future Hall of Fame pitcher.