-----UPDATE----- Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a five-year extension with an option for a sixth year in 2020. He's set to make $180 million over the next seven seasons.
Justin Verlander has a tiger, or at least he was photographed with one. The star pitcher took his new pet to Twitter and didn't hesitate to post the image while holding the little tiger and it didn't look too happy.
However, Verlander just hopes the tiger can get along with Riley, who is probably a pet dog hopefully and not another type of exotic animal.
Something tells me Riley is the dog on Verlander's default. So at least we know Verlander isn't opening up an exotic zoo in his house.
If Verlander is buying tigers now that he's making $20 million a year, what should be expected when the right-hander workhorse is set to be offered a record-breaking contract in a few years? Verlander is currently under contract through 2014 with the Tigers, which is why he probably bought a tiger. However, there have been speculations of Verlander possibly leaving the Tigers if a deal isn't worked out. Wonder if he'd put the tiger up for adoption if he's traded or allowed to walk.
Whatever the case is, Verlander has proved he deserves to be the highest paid pitcher in baseball. After posting a disappointing 2008 campaign, where he lost 17 games and won just 11, Verlander has won a minimum of 17 games and not lost more than nine. His ERA in the past two seasons has been under 3.00 and in 2011 Verlander proceeded to win the pitching triple-crown and the MVP. In 2012, he went 17-8 with a 2.64 ERA and pitched 238 innings.
Verlander, however, seems to have trouble pitching in the World Series, but after their embarrassing exit from the 2012 Fall Classic, the Tigers could once again be hungry and find themselves in contention after adding Torii Hunter to their offense and placing him in right field. With Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder still handling the middle of the order and the return of Victor Martinez, the Tigers should have one of the more potent lineups in 2013.
For now, however, Verlander will focus on getting his pets to get along.
