Astros superstar, future Hall of Famer projected to get $15.3 million

The Houston Astros could look very different in 2025.

Houston will have tough decisions to make. The Astros' biggest decision certainly will be about star third baseman Alex Bregman. He will be one of the most sought-after free agents in baseball and could have a handful of suitors.

He won't be the only Astros star who will hit free agency, though. Another Astros fan-favorite who will hit the open market is nine-time All-Star Justin Verlander. He re-joined the Astros after being traded by the New York Mets in 2023.

Verlander shined last season and has been a fantastic member of the Astros. He initially joined the Astros in 2018 and has been with the team ever since, aside from a brief 16-game stint with the Mets last year.

The future Hall of Famer has made 130 starts for the Astros and has a 2.71 ERA over that stretch, but struggled in 2024 with injuries. Now, he will be available in free agency and is projected to get a one-year deal worth $15.3 million, according to Spotrac.

It's too early to know if he will be back in Houston in 2025. Verlander now is 41 years old and is coming off the worst season of his fantastic career. The Astros do need some pitching help, so maybe a reunion could make sense if the price is right. But, his days with the team could be coming to an end with free agency quickly approaching.

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