The Detroit Tigers and pitcher Justin Verlander agreed Friday on a five-year contract extension through the 2019 season with an option for 2020, the team announced.

ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reports the Tigers could pay Verlander $202 million under terms of his new deal including $180 million over next seven seasons, plus vesting option of $22 million.

The deal would make him the highest-paid pitcher in the game, besting Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez‘s seven-year, $175 million deal he signed last month.

Verlander hinted at the new deal with a previous tweet, then followed up with his love for Detroit and a promise to bring another World Series to to the city following the announcement.

The 30-year-old Verlander went 17-8 with a 2.64 ERA last season, finishing second in the Cy Young voting. In 2011, he went 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA and 250 strikeouts when he won both the Cy Young and the American League’s Most Valuable Player awards.

Today is going to be a great day. Big news coming!—
Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) March 29, 2013

I love this city & the fans – couldn't be more excited to spend my career here! We're going to bring a World Series to Detroit!!!—
Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) March 29, 2013

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Justin Verlander will finally be able to add All-Star Game starter to his long list of accomplishments on Tuesday. (J. Meric/Getty Images)

After being deemed ineligible to start last year’s All-Star Game, Justin Verlander will finally get his chance.

According to FoxSports.com’s Jon Paul Morosi, American League manager Ron Washington has selected Verlander to start for the AL in Tuesday’s game. And according to the New York Daily News’ John Harper, Matt Cain will get the nod for the National League.

The 2011 Cy Young winner has an ERA of 2.58 this season, tossing five complete games and averages 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The official announcement will come later Monday.

Chris Sale of the Chicago White Sox his case during the first half of the year to be the AL’s starter as he currently sits second in the league in ERA (2.19) and boasts a 10-2 record.

But Verlander, also last year’s AL MVP, is on pace to lead the league for a second consecutive year in strikeouts and innings pitched.

As for the National League, Tony LaRussa has reportedly tabbed San Francisco Giants’ Matt Cain as the starter.

Source says Dickey is not starting All-Star game. Will be Cain vs. Verlander.

—
John Harper (@NYDNHarper) July 09, 2012

According to Harper, Cain will get the nod over the likes of knuckleballer R.A. Dickey and flamethrower Stephen Strasburg. What may have won LaRussa over was Cain’s perfect game in June, which was only the 22nd in MLB history.

Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers has been named the 2011 American League Most Valuable Player, as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America. 

Verlander becomes the first pitcher to win the MVP award since Dennis Eckersley in 1992, and the first starting pitcher to receive the honor since Roger Clemens won it 1986. The Tigers’ starting pitcher made 34 appearances this season and is credited with 24 wins with career best 2.40 ERA.

Verlander had been previously named the 2011 American League Cy Young.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury finished second in the voting, Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista finished third, and New York Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson finished fourth.

In 2011 Ellsbury hit .321 with 32 home runs and 105 RBIs. The Red Sox Gold Glove award winner also boasted a career best slugging percentage of .552, and stole 39 bases.

Granderson tallied a career-high 41 home runs and 119 RBIs for the Yankees, while Bautista led the league in home runs (43), slugging percentage (.608) and OPS (1.056).

Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander said Sunday that he believes pitchers deserve to be considered for the MVP award. Voting ended almost two months ago, but the winner won’t be announced until tomorrow afternoon.

“Pitchers are on the ballot. We are players,” Verlander said during his teleconference to discuss his Cy Young award. “I’ve talked about it.”

His manager agrees with him. Jim Leyland said last week that, if they are allowed, pitchers should win MVPs.

“He definitely deserves it,” Leyland said last week. “I hope he gets it. I hope (voters) adhere to the policy which they go by. And if they do, I think he’s going to get it.”

Verlander finished the season with 24 wins and 250 strikeouts. He carried a 2.40 ERA, and won the AL Cy Young award in a landslide.

Detroit Tigers starter Justin Verlander has been unanimously named the American League Cy Young award winner, according to a tweet from the team’s official account. Verlander is the first Tigers pitcher to win the award since 1984, the team reports.

The 28-year-old claimed the pitching Triple Crown in the American League this year by leading the league in wins (24), ERA (2.40), and strikeouts (250). Verlander is also expected to receive votes for the Most Valuable Player award for his dominating performance in 2011.

The hard throwing right-hander has now led the league in wins and strikeouts twice in his career. 2011, however, marked the first time he had led it in ERA. His previous lowest ERA in a season was 3.37, which he posted last year.

This announcement marks Verlander’s first Cy Young award. The Detroit Tigers ace has two other top five finishes for the Cy Young previously and was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 2006.

It’s not EA Sports’ Madden NFL Football cover, which is annually unveiled with tremendous fanfare despite the legendary curse that plagues the featured athlete, but the cover of MLB2K12 is still a thrill for whatever ballplayer is selected.  This year, the featured athlete is Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, and he took to Twitter to express his enthusiasm over the endorsement.

“Announcement: Excited to be cover athlete for @2KSports #MLB2K12,” Verlander tweeted. “Dream come true and can’t wait for the March release”

The announcement was also made at the MLB Player Choice Awards.