Justin Verlander is unveiled by the Mets after agreeing a HUGE $86.7 million two-year deal in New York after winning the World Series… while model wife Kate Upton looks on from the front row with her four-year-old daughter
Justin Verlander was cheered on by his model wife Kate Upton and their four-year-old daughter Genevieve when he was unveiled by the New York Mets on Tuesday.
Verlander, 39, agreed to a two-year, $86.7 million deal on Dec. 5 and donned his No. 35 jersey for the first time at a press conference at Citi Field today.
Upton, 30, sat in the front row for the event in a purple pantsuit with her daughter Genevieve on her lap.
Justin Verlander donned his New York Mets jersey for the first time Tuesday morning
His model wife Kate Upton, 30, watched the press conference from the front row
Upton was accompanied by her four-year-old daughter, Genevieve, for the introductory interviews
The couple watched Verlander address the media for the first time as the New York Met
When asked what convinced him to sign with the New York Mets after winning a World Series with the Astros that year, Verlander had one word: “Steve.”
He was referring to Mets owner Steve Cohen and his willingness to spend his hedge fund fortune to give the team its first World Series title since 1986.
“I took a leap of faith, and here we are a few weeks later, and I think that leap of faith has paid off,” Verlander said. “Ultimately, some of these pieces don’t come cheap.”
Verlander’s mega-money deal is part of an off-season spending spree that has pledged $476.7 million to seven free agents.
Verlander seemed pleased to have landed in New York after winning the World Series
Verlander (left) revealed to the media that Steve Cohen (not pictured) convinced him to join. Pictured are Mets general manager Billy Eppler (center) and Verlanders agent Mark Pieper
Upton smiles at her husband during press conference following his $86.7 million deal
Upton, 30, watches with daughter Genevieve on her lap as Verlander answers questions
The Mets also added starting pitchers Kodei Senga and José Quintana, retained midfielder Brandon Nimmo and closer Edwin Díaz, signed reliever David Robertson and reached an agreement with catcher Omar Narváez, who is pending a physical.
“In the background, Steve will do whatever is necessary,” Verlander said.
Following Tommy John’s return in 2020, Verlander went 18-4 in 28 starts for the Astros that year with a Major League-low 1.75 ERA. He also scored his first win in nine career World Series starts in Game 5 as Houston beat Philadelphia in six games.
Verlander, who turns 40 in February, became the 11th player to win the Cy Young Award at least three times.
Pitcher Verlander answers questions from the media at Citi Field after landing in New York
Upton wore a purple pantsuit (left) for the memorable occasion in Queens on Tuesday
Verlander is hoping to win back-to-back World Series titles after arriving with the Mets
He takes a spot in the Mets rotation vacated by Jacob deGrom, who left Texas on a five-year, $185 million deal, and reunites with Max Scherzer, his Detroit teammate from 2010-14.
Verlander is guaranteed $43,333,333 each of the next two seasons, which is Scherzer’s annual salary in a three-year, $130 million contract with the Mets through 2024.
New York has increased its luxury tax payroll under owner Cohen to about $360 million next year on the way to a record tax of about $85 million.