Tuesday was quite a day for Tigers fans, especially for those who lived through the late 2000s and early 2010s teams led by Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera, two players who will go down among the greatest to ever wear the Olde English D.
Then came the moment many thought would never happen. The Tigers brought Justin Verlander back, signing the veteran to a one-year, $13 million deal, with $11 million deferred until 2030. The move was not only about nostalgia. Yes, there was emotion. Arguably the greatest pitcher in franchise history returning to where it all started carries weight. But there was also something else. Hope.
Hope that Verlander can still contribute to the back end of an already strong rotation. Hope that his experience matters in meaningful games. And eventually, relief, when it was learned that Reese Olson will miss the entire 2026 season following shoulder surgery. Suddenly, the signing felt even more necessary.
Adding to the moment was former Tigers manager Jim Leyland, who guided those earlier playoff teams. Leyland told 97.1 FM’s Jeremy Otto that he texted Verlander a simple message upon hearing the news. “Welcome home.”
In some ways, this reunion feels inevitable. After nearly a decade away from Detroit, Verlander won a World Series, earned another AL Cy Young Award, claimed Comeback Player of the Year honors, and added multiple All-Star appearances. The résumé grew. The legacy expanded. Yet the chapter in Detroit always felt unfinished. The Tigers came close. The World Series slipped away.
Now imagine this scenario. A 43-year-old Verlander, still effective last season with the Giants, returning for what could be his final shot. If 2026 is indeed his last run at a championship, it is also his last opportunity to close the chapter that began in Detroit so many years ago.
That is more than nostalgia. That is unfinished business.