Tigers Decline Means Justin Verlander Could be on the Block

Tuesday was quite typical of this season for the Detroit Tigers’ Justin Verlander. He was throwing his fastball 95 mph, which he did during his best years, but that measure, which has been a bellwether for the effectiveness of a pitcher, did not stop Detroit’s opponents, the Kansas City Royals from scoring three runs during the first inning against the veteran.

Following that slow start, Verlander shut out the Royals for the following six innings. He has been hittable and wild this season which has frustrated the pitcher who only last year many thought should have won the Cy Young for the American League.

Now those evaluating talent are asking questions of a starting pitcher trade market that has a great deal of depth, but lacking those that have frontline reputations, if Verlander will be made available by the Tigers.

If the veteran becomes available another question is would he waive the no-trade clause he has so he could be dealt and if he was willing, would the cost of doing that be worth it for a team in the hunt for the playoffs.

Several sources have said they believe Verlander will enter the trade market over the next couple of weeks.

Still, if Detroit decided to throw in the towel for 2017, their record is the second worst currently in the American League, they could start to rebuild quickly by dealing Verlander.

Verlander has not shown any sign of wanting to leave the Tigers, though at his age, 34, and without owning a World Series ring, being traded to a contender would certainly give him reason to waive the no-trade clause he has.

A rebuild might be difficult at this point as Miguel Cabrera is signed through 2023, Jordan Zimmerman through 2020 and Justin Upton through 2021, if he does not opt out during the winter.

One executive from a club that needs pitching said Verlander following a spectacular 2016 had been appreciably worse in 2017, a malady also affecting Gerrit Cole and Jose Quintana, two names that are expected to headline the market for starting pitching in July as well as Sonny Gray, who has not been all that great this season either.

Last season Verlander posted an ERA of 3.04 and this season it sits at 4.47. He already has close to the same number of walks this season as all of last.

Nonetheless, there are bullish evaluators out there with one believing a return to playing for a team competing to make the postseason would reinvigorate the veteran.