The Detroit Tigers have been discussing a contract extension with Justin Verlander for some time now, with the team more or less settled on offering five years for $75 million.

Verlander, on the other hand, wants the security of a sixth season, which would spike the number up into the $95 million range. He is currently scheduled to go to arbitration with the hopes of a $9.5 million salary in 2010 with Detroit counter-offering a whopping $6.9 million.

A slap in the face? Quite possibly.

The soon-to-be 27-year-old who captured the 2006 AL Rookie of the Year award, went 19-9 last season over a league-leading 240 innings with 269 strikeouts. He also impressed by finishing third in American League Cy Young voting behind Seattle’s Felix Hernandez and winner Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals. 

The right-hander would really like to stick around Motown, telling reporters last week, “I want to be here for a long time.” And for the Tigers, the feeling is mutual. GM Dave Dombrowski has been quoted as saying that he’s “hopeful to keep [Verlander] a part of the organization for a long time.”

We’ll see if that means six years or not.