San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander has been on a tear lately, and right now, he looks like the ace of the staff. When asked about Verlander’s future, team president of baseball operations Buster Posey admitted the Giants would be interested in bringing him back.
Speaking on KNBR, Posey praised Verlander’s recent dominance and the impact he’s had on the club: “Yeah, definitely. It’s something we’ll have to sit down and talk about, but he’s been a tremendous teammate. He’s really helped some of our younger pitchers with preparation, and he sets the tone by consistently performing and showing up. So yes, it’s absolutely something we’d be open to.”
Posey says SF Giants have interest in bringing back Verlander
Of course, none of this means Justin Verlander is certain to be a Giant in 2026. The 42-year-old has recently expressed his desire to pitch next season, but that doesn’t automatically tie him to San Francisco.
Verlander signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Giants last offseason, which means he’ll enter free agency again this winter. Where he lands will depend on several factors, but given how sharp he’s looked lately, San Francisco has a case to make for keeping him around to build on that success.
This year, Verlander holds a 3.75 ERA through 27 starts, logging 141 2/3 innings with 127 strikeouts. His 3-10 record doesn’t tell the full story, as poor run support and blown leads by the bullpen have cost him wins—he could easily have closer to seven victories.
Lately, he’s been in top form. Over his last seven outings, Verlander has posted a 1.91 ERA in 42 1/3 innings with 40 strikeouts. He’s worked at least five innings in each of his last five starts, giving up two earned runs or fewer every time. One of those was a gem against the Dodgers, arguably his best performance in a Giants uniform.
Looking ahead, San Francisco’s rotation could use the veteran presence. A group featuring Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Landen Roupp, and Verlander, with the fifth spot filled by either a young arm or an outside addition, would be a solid foundation heading into 2026.
Whether he stays another year remains to be seen, but it’s no surprise Buster Posey and the front office are open to revisiting the idea once the offseason arrives.
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