The new standard for what the best pitchers are paid may have been set just a few weeks ago by Seattle as the Mariners signed their top pitcher, Felix Hernandez, to a record $175 million dollar deal; a sizable offer and signing considering how good he is. However he’s not the games best, one of sure, but not the best. No, I think it’s safe to say that title belongs to the Tiger’s ace, Justin Verlander. So since Hernandez signed for $175 Million, could it be possible that Verlander’s next contract will break the $200 Million mark? According to an article on Yardbarker he certainly isn't being shy about saying that he does.When asked about pay and contracts in a recent interview Verlander responded.

“I don’t play this game to make the most money. But I do feel like it would be nice to be compensated for what I feel like I've been: one of the best, if not the best, the last few years. In my career, I feel like I've been one of the top. But the last two years, I've kind of separated myself, me and a handful of other guys.” Verlander then added “It’s not a thing where I’m like, ‘Hey, I want to be the highest-paid player,’ where that’s the chief goal. It innately comes with my competitiveness. That’s just me. That’s not why I play the game. I’m good at the game because of that side of me, because I’m competitive at everything I do.”

While there is no word as to whether contract talks have begun between Verlander and the Tiger’s, it doesn't seem likely that they would begin or be on-going during the season, either way the next move belongs to the Tiger’s.

[Source: Yardbarker]

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