Justin Verlander Net Worth

## Justin Verlander’s Net Worth: A Deep Dive into the Baseball Star’s Finances and Career

**Table of Contents**

* [What is Justin Verlander’s Net Worth?](#what-justin-verlander8217s-net-worth)
* [Contracts & Salary](#contracts-amp-salary)
* [Early Life and Career Beginnings](#early-life-career-beginnings)
* [Detroit Tigers, 2006-2013](#detroit-tigers-2006-2013)
* [Detroit Tigers, 2014-2017](#detroit-tigers-2014-2017)
* [Houston Astros](#houston-astros)
* [Personal Life](#personal-life)
* [Real Estate](#real-estate)

## What is Justin Verlander’s Net Worth?

Justin Verlander, a name synonymous with baseball excellence, has amassed a considerable net worth throughout his illustrious career. As of late 2023, his estimated net worth stands at a staggering $200 million, a testament to his skill, dedication, and shrewd financial decisions. This figure encompasses not only his impressive salaries from various contracts but also income from endorsements and smart real estate investments. Verlander’s success has been largely defined by his tenure with the Houston Astros, where he clinched a World Series title in 2017. Prior to that, he was a cornerstone of the Detroit Tigers, guiding them to four consecutive AL Central Division Championships and two AL Pennants. A multiple MLB All-Star, he is a two-time Cy Young Award winner, solidifying his place as one of the premier pitchers in the game.

## Contracts & Salary

Contracts have played a pivotal role in shaping Verlander’s net worth. In 2013, he signed a lucrative 7-year, $180 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, which at the time, made him one of the highest-paid pitchers in baseball. Between 2017 and 2018, he earned a remarkable $30 million annually from salary and endorsements, cementing his status as a top-earning athlete. Demonstrating his continued value, Verlander secured a two-year, $66 million deal with the Houston Astros in March 2019. His latest contract, a two-year, $86 million agreement with the New York Mets signed in December 2022, underscored his enduring appeal and expertise. This contract provided him with an annual salary of $43 million, excluding endorsements. Throughout his nearly two decades in Major League Baseball, Justin Verlander’s career earnings have surpassed an impressive $400 million, a reflection of his consistent performance and marketability.

## Early Life and Career Beginnings

Justin Verlander’s journey to baseball stardom began on February 20, 1983, in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, to Kathy and Theodore Verlander. Growing up with a younger brother, Ben, Justin’s passion for baseball was evident early on. His skills were honed at the Richmond Baseball Academy, where he quickly made a name for himself by throwing an 84 mph fastball. He attended Goochland High School, and then Old Dominion University, where he was the ace pitcher for the baseball team for three years. During his time at Old Dominion, Verlander set a single-season school record with 139 strikeouts in 2003; he then broke his own record the next year with 151 strikeouts. He left Old Dominion University as the all-time strikeout leader in school history.

In 2003, while still in college, Verlander showcased his talent on the international stage, pitching for the USA national baseball team in the Pan American Games, earning a silver medal and All-CAA honors. His professional baseball career launched in 2005 when he was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the MLB draft. He began his professional journey with the Tigers’ minor league affiliates, the Erie SeaWolves and the Lakeland Flying Tigers.

## Detroit Tigers, 2006-2013

Justin Verlander’s impact on the Detroit Tigers was immediate. He had his first full MLB season with the team in 2006, striking out 124 batters in 186 innings and earning the AL Rookie of the Year title. Verlander’s performance helped the Tigers reach the World Series, where they were defeated by the St. Louis Cardinals in five games. The following season, he continued his dominance, recording 183 strikeouts and a 3.66 ERA. Despite a somewhat inconsistent 2008 season, he bounced back in 2009, leading the MLB with 269 strikeouts, the most by a Tiger since 1971.

In 2011, Verlander achieved multiple milestones. He recorded his 1,000th career strikeout and pitched his second career no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays. He capped off the season by winning the coveted Pitching Triple Crown in the AL, leading the league in wins, strikeouts, and ERA. He was also awarded the AL MVP Award and the AL Cy Young Award, the latter by unanimous decision.

In 2012, Verlander contributed to the Tigers’ run to the ALCS and ultimately, the World Series, where they were swept by the San Francisco Giants. He finished second in a close AL Cy Young Award race behind David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays. Just before the 2013 season, Verlander signed a seven-year, $180 million contract with the Tigers, which at the time, made him the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history. During that season, he notched his 1,500th career strikeout, and helped lead the Tigers to another ALCS appearance.

## Detroit Tigers, 2014-2017

Verlander faced challenges in the latter part of his tenure with the Detroit Tigers. In early 2014, he underwent core muscle surgery, impacting his performance in the first half of the season. For the first time since 2008, he did not make the AL All-Star team, and his 159 strikeouts were his fewest since 2006. The following season began with Verlander on the disabled list due to a triceps strain. He was sent to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens for a rehab assignment before returning to the Tigers in June.

After a challenging 2015 season, Verlander rebounded in 2016, achieving his 2,000th career strikeout. He led the AL with 254 strikeouts. Again, he finished second in the AL Cy Young voting, this time behind Rick Porcello. In his final season with the Tigers in 2017, Verlander tied a franchise record for most strikeouts on Opening Day, with ten. He also recorded his first career RBI.

## Houston Astros

In a mid-season trade in 2017, Verlander joined the Houston Astros, igniting a new chapter in his career. He had a highly successful first season with the team, winning all five of his regular season starts and finishing with 219 strikeouts. Verlander and the Astros advanced to the ALCS, defeating the New York Yankees and then went on to win the World Series in seven games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This victory marked Verlander’s first World Series championship. His success continued into the next season, as he threw a complete game shutout against the Los Angeles Angels and achieved his 2,500th career strikeout. He finished the 2018 season with a career-high 290 strikeouts and helped lead the Astros to the ALCS, again finishing second in Cy Young voting.

Verlander was named to the AL All-Star team for the eighth time in 2019. During that season, he became the 18th MLB pitcher to record 3,000 career strikeouts and finished with a career-high 300 strikeouts. The Astros made another World Series appearance, losing to the Washington Nationals. Verlander won his second Cy Young Award that year. In 2020, injuries to his groin and forearm caused him to miss most of the COVID-delayed season. The following year, he underwent Tommy John surgery and was placed on the injured list.

## Personal Life

Off the field, Justin Verlander’s personal life has been a significant aspect of his public image. In early 2014, he began dating model and actress Kate Upton, who would later become his wife. They became engaged in 2016. Two days after his World Series win in November 2017, the couple married in a medieval church in Italy. They have a daughter named Genevieve.

## Real Estate

Verlander and Upton have made strategic investments in real estate. In 2016, they purchased a Beverly Hills estate for $5.25 million. The 5,706-square-foot home, built in 1976, had previously belonged to tennis legend Pete Sampras, musician Kenny G, and actresses Kate Jackson, as well as producer Jon Peters and TV producer-director William Asher. The property features a pool, spa, tennis court, outdoor lounge areas, a maid’s room, and a bonus room with its own entrance. The couple listed this home for sale in January 2022 for $11.75 million, and ultimately sold it to Timothée Chalamet in October 2022 for $11 million.

In August 2021, they acquired a home in Jupiter, Florida, for $6.5 million. They also own a large plot of undeveloped land in the same town, where they plan to build a custom home, indicating their long-term investment in the area.