Astros sign Justin Verlander to 2-year, $66 million extension

Breaking: Justin Verlander has deal with Astros

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 23, 2019

The Houston Astros have locked up one of their core players through the 2021 season.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network was the first to report Saturday afternoon that Houston has signed former Cy Young winner Justin Verlander to a contract extension.

This report was followed up with hard details. The 36-year-old Verlander receives $66 million over two seasons in what will likely be the final multi-league deal of a Hall of Famer worthy career.

Verlander is now the fourth highest-paid starting pitcher in Major League Baseball in terms of average annual salary.

Starter Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros are in agreement on a two-year, $66 million contract extension, a league source with knowledge of the deal tells ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 23, 2019

Acquired from his original Detroit Tigers team midway through the 2017 season, Verlander finished with a 16-9 record, 2.52 ERA and 0.90 WHIP this past year.