Footballers are pretty decent earners, but it’s lobbing balls in the American sport of baseball that really brings in the big money.
The Detroit Tigers have made Justin Verlander the highest paid pitcher in Major League Baseball, signing their ace right-hander to a record-smashing five-year contract extension.
Verlander will remain under contract to Detroit through the 2019 season and is set to become MLB’s first $200 million (£132m) pitcher.
Verlander has two years remaining on his current five-year $79.5 million deal and combined with a new five-year $140 million extension that includes a club option for 2020 for another $22 million, he would become baseball’s richest hurler.
He will reportedly make $28 million each season from 2015-2019. Not bad going.
The deal easily surpasses the seven-year, $175 million extension Felix Hernandez signed in February with the Seattle Mariners.
“Justin is one of the premier pitchers in baseball and we are thrilled to keep him in a Tigers uniform for many years to come,” said Detroit president, chief executive and general manager Dave Dombrowski on the Tigers’ website.
“Justin has been a Tiger for his entire career and he is on pace to be one of the greatest pitchers in this illustrious franchise’s history.”
Justin Verlander
A five-time All-Star, Verlander has established himself as one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers, claiming American League most valuable player and Cy Young Award honours in 2011.
Last season the 30-year-old right-hander helped the Tigers to a World Series appearance against the San Francisco Giants.
The new Major League season opens on Sunday.
