Baseball fans are now aware that Justin Verlander will pitch for the San Francisco Giants in 2025, following a reported agreement several days ago. The Giants officially announced the signing on Saturday, necessitating a roster move to accommodate him.
To make space on their 40-man roster, the Giants designated backup catcher Blake Sabol for assignment. Sabol posted an impressive slash line of .313/.421/.375/.796 in limited action last season, appearing in just 11 games. Over his MLB career, which began with his debut in 2023, Sabol has played 110 games, slashing .235/.301/.394/.695 with 13 home runs and 44 RBIs. Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Sabol joined the Giants in 2022 after being claimed off waivers.
In addition to Verlander’s signing, the Giants also added Sam Huff, a former Top 30 prospect from the Texas Rangers. Huff is expected to compete for the role of backup catcher behind Patrick Bailey in 2024.
Verlander, who turns 42 next month, is one of baseball’s most accomplished pitchers and a future Hall of Famer. He will earn $15 million for the upcoming season. However, he is coming off one of the most challenging years of his career, making only 17 starts in 2024 due to injuries. He finished with a 5-6 record, a 5.48 ERA, 74 strikeouts, and 27 walks.
Over his career, Verlander has amassed a 262-147 record with a 3.30 ERA and 3,416 strikeouts, ranking among the top pitchers in history in strikeouts. He is a three-time Cy Young Award winner (most recently in 2022 with the Houston Astros), a nine-time All-Star, and the 2011 American League MVP. He also boasts two World Series titles, both earned with the Astros in 2017 and 2022.
Verlander’s résumé includes numerous accolades: the AL pitching triple crown in 2011 and 2022, two ERA titles, and five strikeout crowns. He has also thrown three no-hitters, most recently in 2019, joining an elite group of just six pitchers with three or more career no-hitters. Furthermore, he was named the 2022 AL Comeback Player of the Year after recovering from Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss the entire 2021 season.
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