Astros analyst gives major reason why a Justin Verlander-type addition is necessary for Houston

Houston Astros analysts share insight on Justin Verlander’s reunion with his former team. On Thursday, analysts Jason Bristol and Jeremy Booth discussed the Astros' move to re-sign veteran pitcher Verlander on their "KHOU" podcast.

"They haven’t really made an effort to re-sign Valdez, and honestly, it doesn’t seem like anyone has," Booth said. "But when you start looking at the money they’re trying to spend, if you make a move like this, there has to be something else behind it—something to back it up."

Booth noted that Justin Verlander could opt for a one-year deal as one of the marquee players available, while the Astros may add more affordable acquisitions to help manage the roster. He emphasized that the Houston Astros spend their money in a controlled manner.

"When you’ve got guys in their prime or entering their prime, like Hunter Brown and some of the other arms on the mound," Booth said.

Verlander helped win two World Series titles (2017 & 2022) for the Houston Astros. He also won the American Cy Young Awards in 2019 and 2022.

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"If Jim Crane wants it done, it’ll get done," an Astro pundit said on a potential Justin Verlander's reunion.

MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at San Francisco Giants - Source: Imagn

Houston Astros pundit Chandler Rome offered a strong takeaway on Verlander rejoining the Astros. On Dec. 20, he spoke with the Crush City Territory podcast about Verlander's current situation. When podcaster Tyler asked him,

"I do keep getting asked about Justin Verlander. Who else is he going to play for?" "If Jim Crane wants it done, it’ll get done. Once the Astros settle the Meyers, Paredes, and Walker situations, they’ll look at the rotation and say, ‘We have X amount of dollars left—Justin, is that enough?’ Then we’ll see," Rome responded.

In January, Verlander signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants for $15 million, and General Manager Bob Melvin said in September,

"I’d love to see him back. He’s going to get a nice offer. It wouldn’t even shock me if he got a two-year deal based on the way he’s pitched."

Meanwhile, with the Giants, Verlander showed elite pitching with a 3.85 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in the 2023 season.

Edited by nagpaltusharn25