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Starter Justin Verlander has posted the best numbers of his career since coming over to the Astros at the waiver trade deadline in 2017.

Astros, Justin Verlander in agreement on 2-year extension, report says

The Astros are close to locking up their ace.

Houston and Justin Verlander have agreed to a two-year, $66 million extension, ESPN reported Saturday.

Starter Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros are in agreement on a two-year, $66 million contract extension, a league source with knowledge of the deal tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 23, 2019

Owner Jim Crane alluded to the possibility of an extension on Friday.

“I don’t think anything is final, but if it’s going to get done it’s going to get done before we get out of here," Crane said, via MLB.com.

The Astros could have a contract extension in place with Justin Verlander prior to end of spring camp, owner Jim Crane said Friday.

“I don’t think anything is final, but if it’s going to get done it’s going to get done before we get out of here," Crane said
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 22, 2019

Verlander, 36, has a ton of innings under his belt in his career, but has seen a massive uptick in numbers since coming over to the Astros in a trade at the waiver deadline in August 2017.

In 2018 the righty posted career highs in K/9 (12.2), strikeouts (290), WHIP (0.90), FIP (2.78) and batting average against (.200).

So while he may be an older pitcher, he has shown no perceivable drop off in recent years and he pitches exactly how the Astros like with a fastball up in the zone and a curveball directly off of it.

Verlander said said he wants to pitch into his mid-40s and suggested he didn't need a five-year deal, so the two-year agreement appears right in line with his statement.

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