Buster Posey is back! After years of taking shots, he’s now the one calling them. The legend has now switched to the managerial side as the Giant’s president of baseball operations, and he’s ready to make some big moves. His first one? Bringing in three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander to the Oracle Park. But Posey didn’t just sign Verlander to bring in been-there-done-that advice. He saw something more in the future Hall of Famer. And he needs Verlander for his big plans with the Giants. In 2022, Verlander ended his season on a great note, with his team, the Astros, winning the World Series and Verlander winning his third Cy Young Award. At the beginning of the 2023 season, he was with the New York Mets, but halfway through the season, he was traded back to the Astros at the trade deadline. He had signed a two-year, $86.7 million contract with the Mets before returning to Houston.At 42, Verlander’s collection includes three Cy Youngs, an MVP, and a World Series ring, but he’s not done yet. And the Giants’ new head of baseball ops, Buster Posey, recognizes that. Buster Posey’s leadership always went beyond the field. After retiring in November 2021, Posey joined the Giants’ ownership group in 2022 and became President of Baseball Operations in 2024 after Farhan Zaidi. From All-Star catcher to the top brass—whoosh!However, in the last season with the Houston Astros, Verlander recorded a 5.48 ERA over 17 starts. Bringing the oldest active MLB player, despite a dip in his performance in 2024? Why did Posey take the risk? “I’m not bringing you in to be a mentor. I wouldn’t sign you if that’s all I thought you had left. I want you to be great again, and I think you can,” Posey had said to Verlander.May 24, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) smiles as he walks off the field during the sixth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY SportsIs this a belief or an ultimatum? Regardless, at 42, Verlander is eager to prove he’s still got it. In January 2025, Verlander signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Giants. Considering his age, Verlander did well, but considering it was Verlander, the Giants did well!Now, Posey’s plan is clear. He wants to blend Verlander’s veteran experience with the energy and talent of young starters like Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison, Hayden Birdsong and Landen Roupp. All of whom will most likely be in the season’s starting rotation. Posey realizes Verlander’s potential, mainly because this isn’t their first encounter in the baseball world. They played opposite each other in the 2012 World Series, where Posey’s Giants defeated Verlander’s Tigers in four games. And now they’re on the same side, making big moves together. However, Posey is in management now, and Verlander is still on the field. Surely Verlander has wondered if it’s time for him to leave. Verlander vs. Time: Still going strongThe elephant in the room is Justin Verlander’s age. He has reached the twilight of his career at 42. Not to mention, baseball is a sport where most players retire before reaching their forties. According to research published in the Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports, the average Major League Baseball (MLB) career lasts for approximately 5.6 years. If we consider that many players debut in their mid-20s, then they must retire around the age of 30. But Verlander is different; he’s not ready to quit just yet.In a recent interview with Fox Sports, Ken Rosenthal asked Verlander, “If at the start of your career I had told you that you’d still be pitching at 42, what would you have said?” “Almost to 45,” is what Verlander said. While the veteran ace didn’t set a retirement deadline for himself, he liked the idea of 45 years. “Nolan Ryan was my idol growing up. He pitched until 46. It wasn’t a set goal, but I always felt like I had the capability to do something similar,” Verlander explained.Apart from Verlander, his former Detroit Tigers teammate, Kenny Rogers, also believed that Verlander would have a long career. Rogers’s explanation for that was that Verlander’s velocity would still be effective even if it was affected by age. But Roger’s was a little off with this one. Verlander, too, did not anticipate the rise in MLB pitching velocity. “I didn’t know the average major league velocity would be up to 94.”But despite the changes in the game, Verlander tries to improve. “I’ve monitored my velocity all offseason, building up slowly. During Tommy John rehab, you learn to instinctively know your mph as each throw is measured by a radar gun.” Verlander looks forward to the age of 45; till then he plans to remain competitive. Whether it’s feeling his pitches or his velocity—he will keep going. Justin Verlander is breaking the limits of age. The post Giants’ Buster Posey Reveals His Ultimatum to 42-YO Cy Young Winner Before $15 Million Deal appeared first on EssentiallySports.