The Detroit Tigers signed Justin Verlander to a contract that runs through at least the 2019 season on Friday, with an option for 2020.

It could make Verlander baseball's first-ever $200 million pitcher and also keep him with the Tigers for the length of his carer.

"I think it was obviously a great situation for him. I think it's a great situation for the organization. I think it's a great situation for the fans," manager Jim Leyland said. "He's been with the Tigers for going on his eighth year, [and he could stay] conceivably 15 years or maybe 16. That's pretty much a whole career. I think that's got a nice ring to it."