Aug. 4: Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports that Verlander has cleared revocable waivers (Twitter link). As such, the Tigers will be able to freely discuss trades of Verlander from now through the end of the 2017 season, though he’d need to be on a new team’s roster before Sept. 1 in order to be eligible for the postseason roster.
Aug. 2: Tigers righty Justin Verlander was placed on revocable waivers on Wednesday, tweets ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. It’s worth emphasizing, especially early in the month, that the move comes as no surprise. Teams will place the vast majority of their rosters on revocable waivers this month in an effort to gauge interest and also as a smokescreen to mask which players they may actually be more amenable to trading. There’s no downside, after all, as each club has the right to pull a player back from waivers the first time that he is claimed.
[Related: How August Trades Work]
That said, Verlander’s placement is among the more notable instances of this largely procedural move. With about $65.3MM owed to Verlander through the completion of the 2019 season, he’s exceedingly likely to clear. At that point, the Tigers will be able to continue discussing trades with all 29 other teams in the league, though Verlander’s full no-trade clause and sizable contract will continue to serve as significant impediments to working out a trade. (Notably, Crasnick reminds that Verlander’s no-trade protection would allow him to even veto a claim in the unlikely event that a club places a claim and the Tigers were willing to let him go for nothing.)
At last check, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reported that the Tigers were only willing to pay the remainder of Verlander’s 2017 salary — a sum that currently stands at about $9.33MM. That’d leave any team on the hook for $56MM from 2018-19 in the event of a Verlander trade.
The 34-year-old Verlander hasn’t been himself in 2017, as he’s averaged fewer than six innings per start with an elevated 4.2 BB/9 rate and a diminished 8.7 K/9 rate. The deteriorated ground-ball rate he’s displayed in recent years has also held up, as he’s checked in at 33.9 percent in that regard. Overall, Verlander has a 4.29 ERA through 130 frames this year, though his fastball velocity remains as strong as ever (95.2 mph average). And, to his credit, Verlander has been much better in his past 32 innings in terms of ERA (2.25), though his 3.7 BB/9 rate in that time is still a lofty mark — especially by his excellent standards.
The Cubs, Astros, Dodgers and Brewers were among the teams linked to the former Rookie of the Year, Cy Young winner and American League MVP prior to the non-waiver deadline. The Dodgers, of course, went on to pick up Yu Darvish in a last-minute deadline blockbuster, while the Cubs made a significant rotation splash in mid-July by acquiring Jose Quintana from the crosstown White Sox.
Another Dave Dombroski inappropriately long and high AAV pitchers contract…..
Yeah, he’s clearing lol
He’d clear 200 times if they put him three they many times
apparently so would bryce harper
Verlander was great 3-4 years ago… Who knows? He might come back…
3-4 years ago? He was great last year!!
He was better in 2016 than he was 3-4 years ago.
the problem is the contract
This year ain’t bad sound like another Boris cancer contract killing the great American past time
If a team put a claim in on him…would Detroit just let him go without a return and just let them take the entire contract on?
It could be interesting!!
Dodgers could claim him just for the fun of adding payroll.
Would it be a even half billion with his contract ?
JV is not going anywhere. Move on.
I expect him to have a stellar 2nd half though. There will be a few regrets with teams that did not try harder to get him.
Let me guess, Tigers’ fan
He is. And I am too. JV will finish the season strong. feel free to watch, we know him well
Cubs could use him, but taking on all that salary males no sense.
sexist
Now THAT’S funny.
Cubs have used most of their trading chips. The cupboard is bare.
I long for the good old days where we never knew who was placed on revocable waivers.
After recent actions of the inept Astros at the trade deadline this has to be something they would have to work out with Avila. Period case closed claim him and hope for the best. Maybe u can get a little more out of the deal to go with it
David Price and $$ to balance things out for V. and a player/cash to be named later (in the unlikely chance Price opts out next year).
Shhhh don’t say anything about David Price, BoSox fans haven’t realized this guy is a crybaby loser yet. They will find out this postseason.
Why the heck would the Tigers take on more than $100 million in additional salary? Price’s deal was ludicrous from the start. No thank you.
I don’t understand why the Cubs would want him don’t they have 5 starters already? The white Sox should claim him and take on the whole contract and then flip him for prospects while picking up part of his contract in the trade. Since they won’t be spending big money for a few years.
I don’t think Detroit wants to get rid of him bad enough to allow that to happen…
David Price. Nuff said
Will trade Matt Kemp for him
Phils take on the full 2018-19 salary. Offer P Ben Lively, C Cameron Rupp and RF Dylan Cozens. Tigers hang up the phone on that, no worries mate.
Detroit needs to just hold onto Verlander and and eat the 9 mil for the rest of the year. If Verlander comes back to form, trade him in the offseason. Their best bet though is if Verlander has a good first half next year, you can probably get the remainder of his contract taken off your hands and some top prospects. It’s a risk but it’s their best shot at really getting a good return while still saving a big chunk of money from his contract. Considering they were willing to eat this years remainder anyways to make a deal, It only makes sense to wait
Low 2.00 ERA in the second half. He already is back to form.
2.49 ERA and a 9.9k/9 in the second half*
What would happen if a team claims him, the Tigers let them take on the contract, & Verlander vetos it. Would they be able to keep putting him through until he either makes it unclaimed, or his is claimed by a team he approves of.
This is a good Steve Question.
A player can only be placed on revocable waivers the one time (for that season). After that, he’s on regular waivers and they’re basically cutting him. If he’s claimed, that’s it for this year.
Okay. And?
In other news……
Crazy idea:
Yankees get JV.
Tigers get Ellsbury, Chance Adams and money.
You did say crazy right? Yanks wouldn’t give up Adams, especially in a bad contract for bad contract swap where they take on relatively the same amount of money as they are giving (Verlander is owed a minimum of $56 + a vesting option of $28 mil whereas Ellsbury is owed $68 mil.
I totally agree with you, Ells + money for JV would be fair but Verlander has had a better second half than Ellsbury and i think Detroit would need a prospect to convince them to trade their franchise icon.
The option is $22MM and only if he finishes top 5 in Cy Young the year before. Verlander has more than double the WAR value over the last three years and more importantly, this year.
You would be asking the Tigers to take an inferior player and $12MM in salary. Not happening without prospects.
The vesting option actually has value to the contract- it only vests Verlander finishes in the top 5 of the cy young voting- in which case you would WANT to have him for that extra year.
I think Detroit says no on the deal but it’s definitely not the worst deal I’ve heard. JV is still a very good player, whereas I would argue ellsbury (especially with his injuries) is not very valuable. Ellsbury really hasn’t been all that above average in 3 years, whereas Verlander was dominant last year. Ellsbury is owed more. Arguably, a SP is worth more than a CF anyways- especially when his future in CF will be in doubt as he continues to age.
Unfortunately, the yanks would need to add another significant piece to that deal.
The vesting option is only if he finishes top 5 in Cy Young in 2019. If you think the Tigers should be dumping him as a bad contract, why would you think he will finish in the top 5? If you think he could finish in the top 5, why do you think it’s a bad contract? Make up your mind. You can’t have it both ways.
If the Tigers are rebuilding, they are better off doing so with JV versus Ellsbury.
So to clarify, if JV clears waivers during the 47 hour waiver period, does he have to be placed on waivers again to be traded later this month?
No. Once he clears waivers, he can be traded anywhere but he still has his veto. Houston will negotiate with the Tigers but how much is Chris Illitch willing to pay?
Thanks. So it makes sense for him to be on waivers early in the month.
No ones going to touch him on waivers or else you’ll have a more expensive version of Alex rios
JV could end up in Houston. Both the fans and Players are speaking out about standing pat. The Darvish trade was last minute, and the Astros couldn’t react. JV might be there chance to even the odds.
I wonder if any team would pick him up just to block the Astros? The Tigers would more than likely pull him back and then try and work out a trade.
Would be insane if the Cubs claimed him
Don’t be surprised if the Angels claim him. If they can move Nolasco to the pen. That would give the Angels an extra 8 wins down the stretch.
He is going to Houston. I would have to believe that the Astros have to have some concern over their starting 5 at the moment.
Here is what is strategically interesting about this to me:
1. Tigers said they will not trade him for nothing. They want BOTH prospects and salary relief.
2. Maybe the Astros would be willing to give the Tigers what they want now after seeing their rivals get better.
3. Does another team, like the Indians, Yankees or Red Sox, that has an earlier waiver claim, “bet the house” that #1 will happen, just to block the Astros? If they are wrong about the Tigers wanting prospects along with salary relief, they are stuck with an albatross contract and maybe a luxury tax.
Marquee players going on waivers often sets up an interesting dynamic, but the most likely outcome in this case is he clears and Detroit shops him again in August. Whether they find a buyer depends a lot on how he performs over the next two or three weeks. I suspect the teams that were sniffing around before weren’t convinced that his good July offset a poor April-June.
Houston would seem like the logical option, but I’m not sure how many of their top prospects are on the 40-man; I know Fisher is, so that complicates things with regards to a deal, because he’s obviously not getting through waivers.
Perfect time for a player to be named later. Tigers get Fisher in the off season and the Astros get to use him for the playoff drive.
You need to worry about trading him without eating any of the contract before you can worry about getting a prospect as good as Fisher in return. He went unclaimed meaning no one wants him at his current salary so you’re S.O.L.
Why would the Tigers need to be worried about trading him without eating salary? Avila stated publicly that they would be willing to eat money on a deal if doing so would increase the return…
All the talk about the Astros. I wonder if he would agree?
After watching the Cubs pitching the just few days he might not look bad in a Cub uniform
Wonder if Detroit would take on a bad contract with prospects? Kemp + organizational 10-15 and a 20-30. Braves take in near $8M a year for sturdy mentor to young pitchers, plus Verlander could certainly Fair better in NL. His worst games this year are two against CLE.
Just a thought.
I could see a contract coming back, but it would have to be one that the Tigers actually need. The complaint is that the value Verlander offers is not as much as his contract. The question with Kemp is does he have value at all. That’s not going to work.
Probably right, just didn’t know as a DH and possible OF slot when needed. Still capable of 25 HRs a year I think.
Kemp could be a great DH, imo.
I’d be ok with Atlanta taking Verlander.
If Avila can get out from that contract, he should do it. Honestly getting a mid-level prospect back in a salary dump would be better for the Tigers long-term than holding out. He’s 34 and has thrown over 2,500 professional (milb and mlb) innings and is a hard-thrower. Who knows how many bullets are left. If the Cubs want to take him, eat the salary and give you Jen-Ho Tseng or something back, don’t argue, say thank you.
Getting under the luxury tax will save money and will help out with draft picks.
That would be like the Phillies salary dumping Mike Schmidt. Just not happening.
Fans that quote advanced metrics are the most boring people in the world. Get a life or start writing for a team.
Yeah, there’s nothing quite as exciting as talking about won-lost records and RBIs
If The Tigers Are Trying To Dump His Salary The angels should make a move Hamilton’s contract goes away next year that would cover most of the contract… He would be a huge boost to that staff. He could be an ace on upcoming squad… Help Alot Of Young Talent Including canning who could be an amazing number 2…
If the Tigers were just trying to dump Verlander’s salary, he would be on the Cubs right now.
Seriously,
Cubs catcher Wilson Contreras played left field today against the Nationals, to give Avila time behind home plate. Obviously, Contreras has a very hot bat as of late and they want him in the game. But Schwarber has been hitting well since the ASB.
It’s interesting timing to see Verlander clear waivers and Contreras playing left field instead of taking a day of rest.
What if the Cubs traded Schwarber to the Tigers for Verlander? Besides a chunk of Verlander’s contract, would else do you think it would take for the deal to go down?
Verlander to the cubs for 90% of his salary and a ptbnl probably a low prospect.
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