Verlander next?

» The Astros are reportedly in negotiations with ace Justin Verlander on a twoyear extension.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Astros appear to be nearing a contract extension with Justin Verlander.

MLB.com reported late Friday the two sides were “moving toward” a twoyear extension “in the $66 million range.” Verlander is scheduled to start the Astros’ Grapefruit League game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday.

In his year and a half as an Astro, the 36-year-old Verlander has a 2.32 ERA. He has stated before he plans to pitch until age 45. Should this reported extension manifest, he would be an Astro until 39.

Asked Friday afternoon about a possible extension with either Verlander or righthander Gerrit Cole, Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow did not comment, only offering that “we’d love to keep them here as long as we can.” Owner Jim Crane said “we’re always open-minded, if the deal is good for the team.”

Earlier on Friday, Cole refuted a media report that he and the Astros were in negotiations for a contract extension.

“Since the parties involved in what has been called a ‘contract negotiation’ like to air out the laundry, I guess I’ll bring everyone up to speed,” Cole said. “There have been no contract negotiations.”

Friday morning, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported the club was discussing an extension with Cole and Verlander, both of whom are scheduled to enter free agency following this season. Rosenthal wrote it would be an “upset” if either pitcher was extended.

According to Cole, who is represented by Scott Boras, the Astros approached him and “asked if it would be OK to contact my representatives about an extension.”

“I told them they are free to call Scott whenever they want,” Cole said. “That was the extent of the conversation and since then Scott has not been contacted by anyone from the club. This seems more like a phone call negotiation involving the media than anyone else.”

Cole won an arbitration hearing earlier this offseason. His $13.1 million salary was the largest awarded in an arbitration hearing.

Rich Schultz / Getty Images Righthander Brad Peacock shows enough during Friday’s 41⁄3-inning stint against the Mets to sew up the No. 5 spot in the Astros’ pitching rotation.