MLB Trade Rumors: Tigers could be persuaded to move Justin Verlander

The Detroit Tigers should be shifting into sell mode, and they may be convinced to trade Justin Verlander.

At the All-Star break, the Detroit Tigers are aging, generally expensive and bad (39-48). So that means selling in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline is on the agenda, and there are plenty of rumors surrounding their pitching in particular.

Justin Verlander has not pitched well this season, with a 4.73 ERA in 18 starts (104.2 innings). He pitched well in his most recent outing, allowing one run over 6.2 innings, but he acknowledged its insignificance by suggesting a unique use for whipped cream.

Last week, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported the Tigers want a “big return” in a trade for Verlander, without any salary offset. With a total of $70 million due to him between now and the end of the 2019 season, Detroit’s apparent unwillingness to offset any of Verlander’s contract is sure to be a roadblock to trade talks with other teams.

The Tigers seem perfectly willing to keep Verlander, for better or worse. But that tide could be starting to shift.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports the Tigers are not actively shopping Verlander, but they “could be talked into moving him” at some point on or before July 31. But his age (34) and aforementioned contract, which also includes a $22 million vesting option for 2020 based on a top-five finish in the 2019 Cy Young voting, means a haul of notable prospects is not coming. And that leaves out a full no-trade clause, so if Verlander just doesn’t want to go elsewhere he has complete veto power.

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Verlander would surely like to pitch for a contender, but there aren’t many teams equipped to take on his contract. The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers could both seek a starting pitcher on the trade market, with little concern for taking on extra payroll. The Houston Astros and New York Yankees could also consider a move for the 2011 Cy Young Award winner. But unless he starts pitching consistently like an ace again, the market for Verlander will not be large.