Tigers star believes that while it’s not about the money, he feels his performances should be reflected in his salary.
After Felix Hernandez signed his $175m contract with the Seattle Mariners, Baseball’s elite pitchers took notice, and are starting to feel that they should be paid equal if not more than Hernandez.
One such pitcher is Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers, who believes he should be the first pitcher in history to acquire a $200m contract.
In an interview with Yahoo Sports, Verlander said it that he would like to be paid based on his recent performance.
“I don’t play this game to make the most money. But I do feel like it would be nice to be compensated for what I feel like I’ve been: one of the best, if not the best, the last few years.” Verlander said.
“In my career, I feel like I’ve been one of the top. But the last two years, I’ve kind of separated myself, me and a handful of other guys.”
While the 2011 American League MVP is trying his best to insist it is not about the money, it clearly is, otherwise he would never had said it.
The all-star is one of, if not the best pitcher in the MLB right now, and if he thinks he is the best player, then he thinks he should have the best contract.
The 30 year old also went on to say that he would like to try out free agency if the opportunity arose, however he also mentioned that if the offer from Detroit was too good to turn down, he would accept immediately.
“I think free agency is really cool and would be a great experience,” Verlander said.
“I would like to experience it, to be honest with you. But if Detroit comes along and says, ‘Hey, here’s an offer you can’t turn down,’ I’m not going to turn it down.”
It is clear that Verlander wants a pay rise and big one at that. Is a pitcher worth $200m? No, no sports person is worth that, yet that is the world we now live in. Someone of Verlander’s talent is rare, and it is very possible that his dreams of getting that contract will likely become reality.
COMMENTS