The Houston Astros and Justin Verlander are mutually interested in a contract extension, according to owner Jim Crane.

Crane said that if a deal is agreed upon, it would most likely be before the season.

"I don't think anything is final, but if it's going to get done, it's going to get done before we get out of here," Crane said of Florida, where the Astros are for Spring Training. "He doesn't really like to do it during the season, but that could change, too. There's interest on both sides, so we'll see what happens."

Verlander will be a free agent after the 2019 season.