While reports have indicated the Detroit Tigers are a difficult team to gauge, general wisdom held Justin Verlander was available prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline and again after clearing revocable waivers earlier this month.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were among the teams connected to Verlander prior to last month’s deadline, though it’s not believed their interest ever extended beyond cursory. Los Angeles ultimately addressed their starting rotation by trading for Yu Darvish.
As some uncertainty continues to hang over Verlander, he threw a gem to help the Tigers avoid being swept by the Dodgers in the three-game series at Comerica Park. Verlander went eight innings, allowing just one run on two hits while recording nine strikeouts.
After facing his former teammate, new Dodgers outfielder Curtis Granderson raved about Verlander theorized why the Tigers have yet to move the veteran, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“He definitely does (have a lot left in the tank),” said Curtis Granderson, a former Tiger teammate who put the only blemish on Verlander’s day Sunday with a solo home run off the foul pole in the sixth inning. “He’s probably the most competitive teammate I’ve ever had. If I was a right-handed pitcher coming up in any organization – high school, college, minor leagues – he would be a guy that I would model and emulate from his work ethic to the way he gets ready to go out there and pitch. If anything, I think the only reason he hasn’t been (traded) is the Tigers know how good a pitcher he is and definitely want something in equal return for him.”
Verlander was perfect through five innings against the Dodgers, whose first baserunner came when Yasiel Puig worked a one-out walk. Verlander then lost a no-hitter on Granderson’s two-out solo home run in the sixth that hit off the foul pole.
Verlander improved to 9-8 with a 3.96 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. He’s been improved of late, but an exorbitant contract and full no-trade clause serve as hindrances to the Tigers potentially moving the 34-year-old.
Detroit was said to be willing to pay a portion of Verlander’s remaining 2016 salary, but that would still leave an acquiring team on the hook for $56 million through 2019. His deal includes a $22 million option for 2020 that vests with a top-5 finish in 2019 American League Cy Young voting.
The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros are said to have some interest in a possible trade for Verlander prior to the Aug. 31 deadline. It’s believed he would waive the no-trade clause to join a contender.
