With the August trade period soon coming to a close, there has been a surge of interest in Tigers righty Justin Verlander, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network (via Twitter). Verlander is one of many veteran players to have cleared revocable waivers, though he also enjoys full no-trade protection.
Speculation has long focused on the Astros as a viable landing spot. While there have been indications that the sides have engaged in talks, though, none seem to have occurred of late — so far as is publicly known.
Interestingly, though, Morosi says another organization “has emerged as [a] possible suitor.” The new team with interest isn’t yet known, but surely it must be an organization with reasonable present expectations of pushing for a postseason berth.
That is an intriguing development, to be sure, but doesn’t necessarily suggest Verlander is likely to be on the move. Jon Heyman of Fan Rag suggested yesterday that the Tigers haven’t recently engaged in earnest with other organizations. Plus, there’s the matter of Verlander’s full no-trade protection. Though he has indicated he would at least strongly consider a move to a non-contender, he could also seek some compensation.
Most importantly, perhaps, Detroit has long been said to desire a fairly significant prospect return that arguably outstrips the value of the star righty’s contract. Verlander is owed $56MM for the following two seasons, which is a fairly hefty rate for a 34-year-old pitcher. He got off to a slow start this year, too, though he has posted a strong 3.34 ERA with 109 strikeouts and 37 walks over his last 105 innings (17 starts).
smelliott00
Cardinals
brodafett
The cards are too cheap. If they aren’t going to trade for stanton, who they could desperately use now and in the future, then they aren’t going to pay verlander. Just imagine if verlander declines hard next year. Between him and waino they would be spending almost 50 million a year for nothing. Add in leake’s salary…I don’t see them doing that especially with reyes coming back, weaver and flaherty both having nothing left to prove in the minors. I wouldn’t be opposed, but I think the tigers are looking for too good of a package for him, or the stros would have pulled the trigger already.
CompanyAssassin
Yeah the Cardinals don’t really need him, with Reyes/Weaver/Flaherty all likely to make a big impact soon, plus already having Martinez. To me, Wacha and Leake are expendable (and really should be traded) but I think they should bring Lynn back as a veteran presence for when Wainwright is done in the rotation.
I’m actually pretty big fan of Wainwright starting next season in the pen, with any of the three above taking his place in the rotation, and finding new homes for Wacha and Leake to make room for either of the other two. I think it’d be a pretty dominant rotation, and an improved BP. Pull the trigger on Stanton and you’ve got a team.
smelliott00
The thing is, the cardinals badly need a stable starting pitcher. As a cardinals fan, I hope they don’t do it because there are a lot better uses of prospects and money than an aging JV. However, the idea of starting next season with no Lynn, and Wacha, Waino, and Leake all still in the rotation scares the crap out of me. No one is taking on Waino or Leake’s contract in the offseason.
BlakeBanks79
There jus prospects tho, u have no idea if any of them will pan out. Yea JV is aging but at least u know what ur getting.. a pitcher who last couple yrs hasnt been impressive first half of season n picks it up down the stretch n into the playoffs.
chesteraarthur
“there jus prospects”…solid reasoning.
BlakeBanks79
I said my reasoning dipshxt!! But guess u were just focused on the very first part? Maybe read the rest of what i said if u can fxcking read
jleve618
Tru dat.
chasfh 2
For you, BlxkeBxnks79, I hope the Cardinals end up getting JV.
BlakeBanks79
Lol. Seeing that they jus traded away Leake, maybe there freeing up the cash for JV???
jbigz12
I would like the orioles to swing a deal for wacha in the offseason. Idk what the price would be for wacha
But I think he can be a high end #3 with some adjustments. Angelos is going to buy so I’d like someone with potential
hmyles13
Jays?????
jdgoat
Nah. I’m terrified of the end of that contract and Detroit will want pieces like Alford or Urena back without picking up much money.
Jef Leppard
I can’t see it since they currently have a <1% chance of making the playoffs.
TennVol
That would be interesting. Trade for Verlander and have your top 3 for the next two years of Stroman, Sanchez, and Verlander. Let Estrada leave and there is 14M off the books. Trade Happ and get 13M off the books and that is basically his salary. Bring up Borucki who is ready and already on the 40 man roster and find a decent veteran for a 1-2 year contract for $20M. A lot of pitchers will move from AA to AAA next year like Panone, Foley, Green, Harris and others and be ready to reinforce from within when injuries hit. You never know.
phils phanatic
why trade Happ when u can run out Verlander/Sanchez/stroman/ Happ/ rebound candidate next year?
kidfavre4
Verlander would never go to Toronto.
keepitago
Guess it’ll all depend on how much the Tigers throw in $$ wise.
Luke
Twins
dimitriinla
Quite likely the Orioles.
greg1
Dodgers, ’cause why not.
BeingBagwell
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought I read somewhere that Verlander has a clause in his contract stipulating that if he’s traded, he will automatically be a free agent at the end of that year (effectively a rental). If that’s true, surely a team wouldn’t give up a great prospect package AND pay the cash for a month +postseason…right?
Whyamihere
he does not. there was speculation that he would require a team to give him the option to become a FA in order to waive his full no trade clause.
detroitdave84
No. He can negotiate an Opt Out with the trade so that would lessen the financial burden on acquiring team but may also decrease the return package
Ted
I think if he did have such a clause it would be foolish for him to exercise it anyway. If it was automatic, that would actually make him far more appealing as a rental option without the extra $56MM/2 attached.
keepitago
He has been pretty good post all star break
Timothy Souza
It’s Boston …
empiresam
I was also thinking Boston which i believe would give up “something” of great value if they offset the money with the Panda contract for this year. If they can somehow remain under the cap in 2017, it makes sense.
Mike McLellan
What cap?
tim815
The limit teams have to stay under, or the get punished in a way, shape, or fashion.,
nysoxsam
meant luxury tax threshold
empiresam
I was also thinking Boston which i believe would give up “something” of great value if they offset the money with the Panda contract for this year. If they can somehow remain under the tax in 2017, it makes sense.
qbass187
I think you’re right.
chasfh 2
I think it’s Boston, too, because of Dombrowski. Teams frequently trade for The Devil They Know.
tharrie0820
Averaging exactly 7 innings a start over his last 17? That’s nice
bobbleheadguru
No way the Tigers should trade him without getting 2 top 100 prospects back.
To the Tigers he is worth every penny of his contract.
Losing him will cost them 2-3K in season ticket sales.
Doing some quick math: $70/game revenue (incl. concessions for season tickets holders) * 2500 * 81 home games = $14MM in lost revenue just from those lost sales.
That is not even including TV Revenue Lost.
Even if they are not competitive, people come to see JV. The numbers I computed are his EXTRA value, on top of what he does on the field.
brodafett
It’s true he is pitching great now, but the last coupke of years he has been inconsistent and is 34 years old. No team is going to give you two top prospects for a guy who is showing signs if decline. True aces in their prime do not have a bad season, followed by great season, followed by a terrible few months, followed by a strong few months. That screams that he is in decline/ fighting off declining. You don’t see kershaw, kluber, keuchel, etc being inconsistent like verlander. 56 million is a huge investment for a power pitcher who will be 35 next year. Perhaps if he was a finesse pitcher it would be a safer bet, but he relies on power/heat to be dominant. Face it the tigers hold onto players for too long and then try to trade them fir a high price which usually means you get stuck with those players and your farm stays an empty wasteland. You should have traded verlander and cabrera two years ago when it was apparent your team was falling off with no farm to infuse life, and the royals and indians were starting to claim the al central. Now you have the twins in better shape than you, and the white sox overloaded with young talent. You need to trade all your veterans for whatever they can get you and stop trying to do a phillies and overprice your players. Unless of course you want to be a 100 loss team before an actual rebuild begins.
bobbleheadguru
Just checking, you know that he should have won the Cy Young Award LAST YEAR. Kluber and Keuchel both finished BEHIND JV for Last Year’s Cy Young Award.
Brixton
ok, and this year.. Verlander is 34, owed a ton and pitching like a #4
donniebaseball
I’m sorry, if you think he’s pitching like a #4 this year, you shouldn’t be commenting on his value.
Verlander had 3 bad games against the Indians, but otherwise his ERA is right around 3.20 for the year. Not just that, but he’s been one the second half’s best starters. He’s been better in nearly every notable category other than k/9 than Sale in the second half.
His velocity has had an extreme uptick this year (highest since his MVP season, hitting 101mph), which caused him to make some in season adjustments- but once he did, he’s been a top five pitcher in the league. Calling him a #4 is so far off from the truth it isn’t even funny.
JV:
baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=verla…
Sale:
baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=salec…
vtadave
Pretty sure that taking out any pitcher’s three worst games would give him a nice ERA. Take out Sale’s three worse starts and his ERA drops from 2.88 to 2.12..
donniebaseball
Of course it would… however, did you read the rest of my point?
What I was trying to explain was that he was experiencing a higher velocity to his fastball than what he was used to, and thus didn’t have his usual control during those starts
If you look after he made his adjustments, he’s been vintage Verlander, if not better.
donniebaseball
essentially, those few starts are the outliers.
syntacs
Lol, and if you remove Matt Garza’s 3 worst start he’has an ERA of 3.29. I don’t think anyone in the country thinks he’s remotely that good.
You can’t just remove the worst starts as outliers and use that new statistic as significant unless you also remove the outliers on the other end of the spectrum, That is, his best starts too. Because the way you did it isn’t how statistics work.
bobbleheadguru
Missing the point. If you don’t think JV is good, don’t trade for him. Comparing him to Garza is absurd.
The point is that Detroit fans KNOW he is good. He sells tickets, even if the team is not doing well. He is like what Mickey Mouse is to Disney World.
Detroit would be crazy to trade him for a salary dump at this point. 2 Top prospects or no deal.
donniebaseball
You’re not understanding my point. What I was trying to explain was that he was experiencing a higher velocity to his fastball than what he was used to, and thus didn’t have his usual control during those starts- resulting in several bad games.
Outside of those games and after his adjustments, he’s had a 2.39 ERA and over a 10 k/9, out-pitching Chris Sale.
As for your “take out 3 starts for everyone and they all look good” argument: Garza has 60 less innings than Verlander, so of course if you only have 100 innings and you take out the 3 worst starts, your stats are going to be more impacted.
Everything that I said is all very well documented- including Verlander’s interviews where he himself talks about finally being happy with his adjustments just prior to the all star break.
I’d be happy to add a link to any part of my argument that you question.
Mr Pike
Something is terribly wrong with your math. Garza has a 4..77 ERA with only 6 quality starts in 21 tries. Verlander has a 3.82 ERA with 18 quality starts in 28 tries. They van’t have the same ERA if you drop the worst three.
Yes, if you subtract the three worst from 21 tries it will have a bigger effect than 3 from 28, but still it makes no sense.
Besides, how about giving Ver credit for taking the bump 7 more times.
stymeedone
You are right. Kershaw can’t be inconsistent while on the DL. Kluber and Keuchel have been spending time on the injured list too. You can speculate on what the future may hold, but I look at his current performance, and he is an Ace, pitching like an Ace. Yes, he is also getting paid like an Ace, but what were you expecting? He won’t cost anything close to what Chris Sale did, but it won’t cost just scraps either.
brodafett
Kershaw has never been inconsistent while verlander has been the last couple of years. You can say that he is on the DL all you want, but as much as I dislike the dodgers he would be killing it if he wasn’t on the DL. You can go ahead and hope for two stud can’t miss prospects all you want, but nobody is going to give that up for a mod 30s power pitcher who is inconsistent and owed almost 60 million the next two years. The tigers can continue to do a phillies and pay for aging players and have an empty farm system, or they can take a couple of good not top prospects which will save them a ton of money to get other players, and will help build up their farm a little. The longer you hold onto your veterans the longer it will take you to rebuild. But enjoy finishing last in the central next year.
brodafett
Also, sale and verlander aren’t comparable. One sale is in his 20s. Two his contract is a lot less than verlander’s and is a bargain. Three he is a better pitcher this year and it isn’t even close. The white sox got all of those good prospects for a relatively young, dominant pitcher who had years of cost control left on his contract. Verlander is in his mid 30s and due 60 million dollars. I’m not saying the tigers deserve scraps, but don’t kid yourself he is not worth a couple of top prospects unless detroit eats a chunk of that deal.
stymeedone
Gee, touchy aren’t we? Whether you like it or not, you have to be healthy to be consistent. I don’t believe I said it would take two stud prospects either. If you look at what he has done over the last two years, you won’t find Five starters with better numbers. Not bad for a “decline”.
As for Kershaw, he is on the DL, and the only way he could be “killing it” if he wasn’t, would be if he is faking the injury. Is that what you are suggesting? That doesn’t sound like the Kershaw I know.
stymeedone
That was why I did that comparison. I agree with all those advantages for Sale. For right now, however, JV is the closest thing to getting Sale-like numbers available. There are no other #1’s available. In the off season, there still won’t be any “Sale” type pitchers available, because there just is no one like him. Fulmer may be the closest young pitcher, but he doesn’t have the history yet. Paying an Ace Pitcher for 2 years doesn’t seem to be that bad an option for a contender that wants to win now.
donniebaseball
Not a bad option at all, especially considering A) how dominant he has been since he made adjustments to his account for his increased velocity and B) the Tigers have publicly stated they would be willing to eat money on the deal.
An ace on a two year deal, while paying only $20M a year is definitely worth top prospects.
tharrie0820
Kluber had a bad start to this season. Keuchel was horrible last year. Kershaw is starting to have recurring back injuries and chokes in the playoffs
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
That’s fine. He won’t be traded then.
jakec77
One problem, where did you come up with the number of 2-3k extra season ticket sales?
There have been several studies showing that the strength of the home team starting pitcher has much less of an impact on attendance than is generally believed. Interestingly, Detroit is one of the teams where it does have a greater affect- a whopping 5%. So, since Detroit averages just under 30k per game this year, that makes an additional 1500 fans per game Verlander pitches in. Assume he pitches in 20 home games, that’s 30,000 total additional fans (of course, this fails to consider that those additional 30k fans might be simply choosing to go when Verlander pitcher versus another game, and assumes that but for Verlander they wouldn’t attend any additional game). Using your number of $70, that’s $2.1 million, a lot less than his contract.
(My source: clevelandsportsecon.com/2017/06/12/cleveland-india…)
Mr Pike
If the team totally sucks, which it will without him, my guess is that season ticket sales will fall much closer to his estimate than your method based on who is starting.Ticket sales are already at about a 7 year low.
Unless people buy their tickets a week or less before the game they don’t know who the starter will be for certain. If Verlander is on the team you have a 20% chance you will see him. Without him it’s Boyd or Farmer in his place
Using your logic you should never pay a starter more than $2 million a year more than the minimum, otherwise it’s costing you money.
chasfh 2
People come to see JV on his days off? Because you are including those in your analysis.
dwilson10
I wonder if the O’s would try to make a move now that they’re back in the Wc hunt. Their SP has been good lately and Verlander would be a huge upgrade.
dimitriinla
Exactly. Their window is closing; they’re playing really well; they need someone to replace the weak links in their rotation; it brings a veteran presence to bolster an increasingly strong (but young) front end in Gausman and Bundy; and it’s simply a two year deal, after which point some younger arms (Harvey and others) will be more ready to emerge.
badco44
Yeah the Os want but the last I looked there farm was in bad shape….and besides, owner won’t shell out that kinda bread! Is not happening!
oldleftylong
Verlander would veto Baltimore. It’s DD and the Bosox.
Jef Leppard
You’re probably right. As Dombrowski proved in Detroit, he has ZERO issues with trading away the farm for a Golden Goose.
Brixton
idk how much more of the Red Sox farm he can trade and still keep the fans on his side. Hes turned a top 3 farm into a bottom 10 farm in 2 years, and only has Sale and Kimbrel (obviously significant) to show for it.
empiresam
“Only” Kimbrel and Sale. They still kept Betts, Bogarts, Bettinendi, Devers, Vasquez and Leon as every day (catchers combined) players 25 and under. The Sox have a two year window to win with their pitching as is. JV makes sense if they can figure out a way to offset 2017 salary so they remain under the luxury tax.
jdgoat
If you expected dombrowski to trade bogaerts or betts you’re a moron.
jdgoat
And Leon sucks
jmi1950
And Pomerantz.
jmi1950
Without Sale, Kimbrel and Pomerantz the Sox are below .500. With them they have a chance to win this year and next.
donniebaseball
Watching Dave, he won’t care about the farm system ratings… He’ll make a trade if it improves his team’s chances at winning. It’s that simple.
nysoxsam
Leon sucks? 40% caught stealing. Trading for him turned out to be phenomenal. no one expected last year’s offense but defensively he is way above average. also no one expected Betts or Bogarts to be traded. the point was simple. The young every day core is there so trading minor league talent with potential to fill in your needs is the way to go if you’re trying to win now. Look at Moncada. Even if he turns into an all star, it won’t be in the near future which is when this team is built to try to win.
badco44
And besides it’s not pitching that team needs, it’s a stick in the middle of that order… mookie has high on rbi’s and that alone says a lot about middle of that order
badco44
Guys if .. if you are paying attention, Boston is not going over the cap this year. They are at the limit… so guess again
24TheKid
So the Mariners have two choices that are pretty clear imo. Either stand pat, wait for Felix and Paxton to return, and miss the playoffs by a few games, while they try to contend with the same team next season, but the injury bug continues to bite as Cano, Felix and Cruz arnt getting any younger. Or, they can make a move and get a difference maker, the biggest need is a starter, but a bat in the outfield is still needed. The two players that make sense to me are Upton and Verlander, Stanton seems much less realistic than those two. And if it doesn’t work out, shop Seager, Segura, Paxton and whoever else anyone is interested in this offseason. But they need to make a move if they want to make the playoffs, a rotation lead by Ariel Miranda is a team destined for a number one draft pick, not a wild card berth.
BlakeBanks79
Honestly Seattle’s farm has only 1 top 100 prosepect (kyle lewis) so thats not enough to snatch Verlander let alone JV n Upton
taesamlee
And make the lineup older? I like the direction we are going, mind you it’s not going as fast as I wanted it to. I like our outfield and enjoy most of the trades (mark trumbo and the Tyler O’Neill excluded) but in the end we are fighting our way through injuries. If we can stay 2-3 games out of it until Paxton, Felix and Cano get back I call it a win. Besides we won’t be able to put a good enough package together for Detroit to say yes to
woolcorp
Astros should do it for a morale boost if nothing else
astros_fan_84
That’s the most expensive pep ever suggested. I would like JV, but the price isn’t right. I’m also not a fan of “second coming” trades. Too much pressure for the new player. If they suck, it will go bad. JV is probably too good for that, but I say wait.
bobbleheadguru
Lots of JV talk… but what about Justin Upton? Seems like an even more desirable piece for a contender.
jdgoat
Ya he’s probably more of a difference maker in the playoffs. The opt out makes him a difficult player to judge value on though so that might be a tricky trade.
stymeedone
The Tiger’s had to trade JD, and look how little he brought back. If J Up is moved would you reasonably expect them to get significantly more? If not, hanging on to him seems the better choice.
donniebaseball
Exactly… there’s just no market for a bat-first corner OF this year.
Sports
RED SOX. FO. SHO
chinmusic
Hey Chicago What Do You Say…
Zach725
I honestly wish the braves would eat about 65-70% of his contract and offer a couple guys like Seymour to try and get Verlander. He has the experience to lead a young staff, and would anchor a team hopefully looking to make the playoffs by the end of his contract.
Solaris611
If Verlander is traded (and I still don’t see it happening) it would have to be a big market team who can absorb the potential financial and talent costs. Cubs are likely to make the postseason as they are, but JV would give their rotation the necessary boost it needs to get over the top. Tigers might even throw in Jordan Zimmerman as long as Cubs assume the remainder of his contract.
BlakeBanks79
Lol Cubs dont even have a top 100 prospect! They would have to throw in Scwharber. Then again ur zimmerman idea would b great for tigers!!
willi
Scwharber can’t get a bag of Balls ! He’s Garage !
CubsRebsSaints
If you truly think he has no value, you’re nuts. An AL should want him
donniebaseball
Schwarber is good. Really good. His stats this year don’t tell the full story.
willi
As football Coach Bill Pursells said , You are what your Record says who you are !
the Guy Hitting 199 , bar;ely and he can’t hit Breaking balls ,The league has found his weak spot and he’ll be playing in Korea in Two Years !
holycowdude
i just like that you think he’s a garage
stymeedone
Can’t just throw in a player with a no trade contract. JZ might accept a trade to Cubs, but due to his wanting to be near his home in WI, the Cubs would never be able to move it. Don’t see them willing to take him on.
SundownDevil
It’s not ONLY Verlander who is making the decision. His fiancée has just as much of a say here. They just bought a mansion in Beverly Hills so she can be closer for her “acting” roles, so sorry O’s fans, but some cultural void like Baltimore ain’t happenin’.
I expect him to remain with Detroit until the offseason when he’s traded to the Dodgers.
donniebaseball
The Dodger have literally 8 starters… They don’t need a 9th, no matter how good JV is.
mike156
Manfred may be considering a special 5 Day DL for the Dodgers,
donniebaseball
Honestly a 5-day DL would barely be different then the 10-day DL we have now.
The 10-day DL has been a disaster.
BravesNomad
If you’re going to point to Kate’s influence and having production companies to work with, then ATL also makes sense. We have 4 to 6 movie and TV companies filming pretty much yr round. Also JVs dollars would go further in ATL with the lower cost of living. Lastly ATL is much further along in the rebuild process and he along with another piece or two could push the team to WC consideration and maybe beyond.
SundownDevil
L.A. or New York, and the Yankees and Mets won’t be trading for him. That’s too much justification for Atlanta — “further along in the rebuild process” and so on. It’s been reported he would consider approving a trade to a contending team, which would seem to imply a team that’s contending NOW, rather than in a few years. He doesn’t have to worry about “cost of living” with his salary either.
BravesNomad
If you look in the article above, JV mentions he might approve a trade to a non contender for additional compensation. That could mean picking up his option and making it 3 yrs instead of two. ATL being further along is simply a small fact, look at it however you want to. ATL makes more sense than SD, PHI, WSOX, CAN or even LAA just based on where they’re at in the process and their windows for contention.
While he has the money to not worry, doesn’t mean he doesn’t think about it. Plus the rich don’t stay that way by throwing their money away, he’s got a financial planner helping make his money decisions, they all do to some degree.
Lastly the big money teams like LAD, NYY, BOS have the luxury tax to consider and has been said many times they all want to get below it to avoid penalties.
tigerdoc616
Tigers should be asking for a good prospect haul for Verlander. He still can be a top flight pitcher, and has been the second half of this season. Plus, he moves the turnstiles when he pitches in Detroit and has been the face of the team for a decade. You don’t give that up unless you are getting significant value in return. Teams may see that as an overpay, but that is what it will take to get him from Detroit. Have to have some marketable players while rebuilding or attendance will tank.
Houston is the obvious choice. They need another arm with all the injuries they have had. They should walk away with the AL West but will struggle in the playoffs without some better starting pitching. They have an embarrassment of riches in prospects, enough they can afford to overpay for Verlander. They also have a salary structure that can afford most, if not all of Verlander’s remaining contract. But so far, they have balked at acquiring any significant pitching talent.
timyanks
he will decline going to houston. they may not play a home game the rest of the year.
jdgoat
They’re also probably the best team in their league
donniebaseball
@slide How did you determine that?
timyanks
look at the news from houston lately?
donniebaseball
oh wow, I totally read that wrong.
SundownDevil
The storm is making its SECOND landfall within a few hours tonight, so Houston is probably looking at long-term, catastrophic damage. I would think that even next season’s home schedule for the Astros will be in question. Montreal anybody?
timyanks
if you know anything about hurricanes, landfall is an oxymoron. yahoo said houston was waiting for harvey to hit again, when actually, harvey never left. with that in mind, i live 120 miles from houston. harvey, in yahoo terms, hasn’t made it here. yet, we have received over 15 inches of rain, with more to come. it’s not flooded, and don’t expect it will. just waiting for the first windy day. that’s when all the waterlogged oak trees will begin to fall from the moisture in the soil.
stymeedone
Thoughts and prayers go out for you and all being effected by Harvey. Stay safe.
timyanks
thanks
elscorchot
Crazy theory. Marlins think they’re close enough to trade Haha. They have nothing really to trade in minors. Detroit probably not wanting anything but prospects, and marlins already losing money. Just wish it could be them, but it’s not.
SundownDevil
If the Marlins are still considering getting rid of Stanton’s huge salary even after the monstrous year he’s having (and whatever “advanced stat” you prefer), I doubt they’d take on Verlander’s salary. However, it’s an interesting consideration for his fiancee; she’d probably approve of the Miami trade.
jsaldi
Boston or Dodgers
stymeedone
Why not the Yanks? They could use some stability in their rotation, now. They need starting pitching for next year. They can afford him. They have some prospect depth. It’s a short term commitment. Seems like a fit.
JU11904
$56 million over the next two seasons probably means the Yankees won’t do it, but otherwise it makes a lot of sense. They could use a veteran presence in the top 3 and Verlander is a healthier alternative to CC with much higher upside and a cost only slightly higher than what NYY pays Sabathia this year. They would have to keep their fingers cross that he pitches well, but not well enough for the 2020 option to vest.
stymeedone
Yeah, it would just kill them if he pitched like a Cy Young contender. That would be terrible.
willi
Houston or Boston , Houston GM is Cheap and will Blow it this Year !
66TheNumberOfTheBest
Yankees or Red Sox.
Sox because of DD and the Yankees because they are too close to let the Sox just walk away with it.
tim815
If a team wants to stay under the 2018 penalty limit, adding Verlander will be difficult without violating that.
stymeedone
Most teams could take on his 28MM salary without going over. Most teams don’t like paying that much for one player, however.
badco44
Geez guys Manny Ram still is collecting two mil a year from Sox… don’t see the Sox in the JV mix…
donniebaseball
Tigers have said publicly they would be willing to eat money on a deal to increase the return.
If they eat $8M a year, he’s pretty much affordable for any team for 2 years.
jmi1950
I don’t think that the $63MM for 3 years playoffs for Verlander is a big deal. What FA starter is going to cost less this winter and you are giving up on 2017 if you wait. The quality of the prospects are an issue, but the Astros and NYY have such deep farms that they will never have places for all these guys.
stymeedone
His option only kicks in if he finishes in the top 3 for Cy Young in 2019. That would make the 22MM option a bargain.
CubsRebsSaints
Cubs for Lackey and Russell
thekid9
Look at all the Johnny Superscouts!
Ejoey
Can the Tigers get from the Yankees Chance Adams, Florial and Andujar. or could they just get Chance and one of the two
Stratocaster
Those three are ranked #3, #4 and #6 prospects in a very deep system. That seems like a steep price.
rossdfarian
If we are speculating wildly, put me down for the Angels. They are in need of pitching and close to his ‘home.’
SundownDevil
I could see that. Both of them would approve of that trade.
Who would be going to Detroit in this hypothetical trade?
lazorko
And that’s why it’s not the Angels. If the reporting is right that the Tigers want some kind of prospect return, that’s going to be near impossible.
Only if the Tigers were willing to take on B-level prospects as essentially a pure salary dump, could it work. Doesn’t seem to be the Tigers thinking, however.
hk27
Angels do have a few quality prospects now, mostly OF’s and very young, though, drafted only in last year or two., and obviously several years away–chronologically, they’d be ready to hit the Bigs when the Trout contract runs out, if all things stay on schedule. Det does need OF, although OF 2-3 years away may not quite count. For the Angels, the price will be steep, but given the obvious need (and the geographical fit), it would be an interesting possibility.
redsfan48
Any chance the Reds would have interest if Tigers ate some money? Reds have OF surplus (Duvall, Hamilton, Schebler, Winker, Ervin) to trade from and Detroit certainly needs OF help
jmi1950
Why would Verlander waive his no trade to go to a non playoff team?
donniebaseball
I’m not Avila but I wouldn’t be interested. Each one of the players you mentioned have serious flaws. I’d rather the Tigers get a top prospect or two.
scottstots
Brewers have the salary room and a glut of outfield prospects who can play cf. and some solid middle infield prospects as well.
jd396
Have we finally found a line that the Dodgers won’t cross?
titurriria
Verlander to the Dodgers for Joc Petterson and a few second tier prospects. Maybe even McCarthy to help offset some salary next year. McCarthy can easily be flipped in the off season.
Ejoey
How about Alverez,Diaz and btnl Pederson. Plus we give 15 mil.
edcarboy
Marlins?
They are in tue wild card talk.
edcarboy
The*
southi
I still say that don’t be surprised if the Braves end up with Verlander (and, yes, I know that they aren’t in contention for this season).
Verlander would give the Braves an experienced anchor for the rotation. Chuck Hernandez is Verlander’s former pitching coach and I think that the familiarity may be a selling point, along with the influx of young talent Atlanta has up (and also coming soon) to make Verlander willing to accept the trade. Atlanta also has a wealth of talent that could be dealt, especially with so many prospects who will need possible rule 5 protection this off season. I’m sure Atlanta could (if willing) come up with a package that would be acceptable to Detroit.
gcc
How about David Price for him?
Soxman81
I could see Dombrowski calling about Verlander. Maybe they can swing a deal to send Price back to Detroit?
SundownDevil
Interesting thought. If Detroit doesn’t care about salary, they’d probably just keep Verlander (one of their all-time greats), but it’s obvious that Price is too soft to handle Boston and learned that “selling his soul” for the money doesn’t work out in the end. Not sure where Boston could ship him out to, but he needs out of Boston ASAP.
donniebaseball
Price’s contract has negative value. He’s owed one of the highest AAV’s in the game, and has the largest contract for a pitcher in MLB history. On top of that, he has elbow issues, and wasn’t all that great when he was healthy in his first year with boston.
Boston would have to increase the level of prospects they would send in order for Detroit (or any team) to take Price.
At that point, you’re talking multiple top prospects, because Verlander is essentially free to Boston (salary-wise) because they are getting out of Price’s contract.
badco44
Now that would make things doable
bradthebluefish
A team on the brink of making the Wild Card NEEDS to go after Justin Verlander. Seattle, Baltimore, Marlins… SOMEBODY!!!
Pops
I hope it’s the Orioles.
bobbleheadguru
David Price for JV would make sense, only if Boston paid the majority of BOTH salaries and gave up one decent prospect.
Otherwise, the Tigers want 2 top prospects.
Ejoey
How much money is due Price in years and money.
donniebaseball
After the end of 2017, Price is still owed 157M more over 5 years….
30M in 2018, 31M in 2019, and 32M from 2020-2022.
And he’s 32 with elbow issues.
baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/al-east/b…
0428April
Five words: Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles
Kate Upton could still be a full on Braves fan if Verlander stays in the AL 😉
badco44
With the Angeles farm system, what are you smoking? Balt the same and Seattle just got Leake off the cards… I think we are looking at the Tigers trying to get Houston to pull the trigger!
cwsOverhaul
It seems like a Theo move to give a jolt to his club to pay most of the salary to land ring motivated Verlander for challenging Nats/Dodgers…….assuming they have written off giving big years to Arrieta in FA offseason…..and begrudgingly part with someone they’d rather not (almora example of quality but not necessarily him).
donniebaseball
The cubs can’t trade anyone on their active roster without passing them through waivers, so they aren’t a realistic destination for Verlander at this time.
bobbleheadguru
JV and Zimmermann for David Price…. no money changing hands. No prospects involved.
Who says no first?
pantless
I think the Indians should be interested in Verlander
cwsOverhaul
More like D.J. Wilson or some pitcher its scouts like since shedding lot of $ where possible is biggest benefit.