Tigers, Verlander Avoid Arbitration

According to Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman, the Tigers and ace Justin Verlander avoided an arbitration hearing by agreeing to a new contract this afternoon. Heyman is reporting that the deal is a one-year pact for $3.675 million, slightly closer to the $3.2 million the Tigers offered than Verlander's desired $4.1 million.

Still, the deal is a significant one considering Verlander's back story. After two of the more impressive debut seasons in recent memory -- he won 35 games, reached a World Series and threw a no-hitter -- Verlander really, really struggled in 2008, to the tune of 11-17 and 4.84 ERA. He may have felt that -- and the current depressing economic climate -- killed his chance at getting all $4.1 million, so he came back to the table and hammered out a deal.

Seems like a fair deal, no? Thoughts? And, while we're on the topic of the Tigers, where does Dontrelle Willis fit in? He's still on the roster, after all.