MLB trade rumors: Justin Verlander on the move?
By John McCarty
Long-time Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander could be available in a trade as the Tigers continue their fall from contention.
Every year as the trade deadline approaches, big-name veterans begin to appear as candidates to be moved. This year is no exception. Perhaps there is no bigger name possibly available then Justin Verlander.
Verlander has been a mainstay in rotation since he made his debut in 2005. After winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2006, Verlander has followed that up with Cy Young in 2011, and came in second twice in Cy Young voting in 2012 and 2016. Add six All-Star game appearances, and Verlander has quite the resumè.
However, the flame-throwing righty has struggled with consistency (and velocity) as the years and wear grind on. Despite a strong 2016 showing, Verlander has not consistently been the dominant pitcher in recent years he had been during his prime. And now, as the Tigers find themselves falling further out of contention with every series, could the pitcher be on the move?
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Detroit, in its effort to win a World Series under late owner Mike Illitch, signed players to large contracts, Verlander included. The 34-year-old is under contract for two more seasons past 2017 at $28 million per year. Verlander also has 10 and 5 rights, meaning he can veto any trade.
As Ashley MacLennan indicated, a possible landing spot for Verlander could be in Los Angeles with the Dodgers. The Dodgers are deep both in money as well as prospects to trade. Verlander also owns a home in the Los Angeles area with his fiancee, so while the article points out a Verlander move could make sense to LA, no word or rumor has put Verlander and the Dodgers…yet.