With a shortage of controllable starting pitchers available, a team such as the Detroit Tigers could easily change the market. Even with Justin Verlander having a down season, the veteran right-hander presumably would field some level of interest from other clubs.
Of course, whether the Tigers elect to become sellers at the July 31 deadline is hardly a guarantee. They were thought by many to be in that position last year, but retained their core players. That changed in some regard last week when J.D. Martinez was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
As the Tigers mull their options, the Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly were among the teams to scout Verlander in his start last Wednesday, per Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press:
The contingent of opposing scouts included representatives from the Cubs and Dodgers, two big-payroll teams that will be linked to Verlander for that very reason: Only a few teams have the finances to afford the veteran.
While it was previously reported the Tigers were not interested in paying for any Verlander’s remaining salary, that no longer appears to be the case:
The Tigers are willing to pay the rest of Verlander’s $28 million contract this season.
The remaining portion of Verlander’s 2017 salary is just shy of $11 million. It’s Verlander’s salary beyond this season, however, that is widely viewed as a hindrance to a potential trade. He’s owed $28 million in each of the next two years and has a $22 million vesting option for 2020.
The more financial assistance provided by the Tigers, the better their return should be. And vice versa.
With scouts looking on, Verlander produced one of his better starts this season. The 34-year-old held the Kansas City Royals to two runs, and had eight strikeouts in seven innings. On the year, Verlander is 5-7 with a 4.54 ERA and 1.47 WHIP.
Although the Chicago Cubs have already traded for Jose Quintana, they nonetheless remain in the hunt for additional starting pitching. The Cubs and Dodgers were said to have scouted Yu Darvish in his latest outing.
