Detroit Tigers Rumors: Latest report on Justin Verlander

Detroit Tigers rumors continue to swirl as Major League Baseball’s trade deadline inches closer and closer. The latest rumor involves starting pitcher Justin Verlander.

Detroit Tigers rumors are here once again.

The Tigers, who enter Monday with a 41-49 record and a -25 run differential, are six games back of Cleveland in the American League Central.

Detroit is also six games back of the New York Yankees for the second American League Wild Card place.

Because of the team’s record, Detroit could conceivably trade away some veteran pieces.

Hypothetical trade candidates include outfielder J.D. Martinez, closer Justin Wilson, catcher Alex Avila, starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez and shortstop Jose Iglesias.

Related Story: Astros trade fits and hypothetical targets for Tigers

Another hypothetical trade candidate is former Cy Young winner and MVP Justin Verlander.

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi tweeted the following about Verlander on Monday afternoon:

“Sources: #Tigers now willing to include some cash in a Justin Verlander trade, but no indication that #Yankees are getting involved. @MLB.”

After a 2016 Cy Young-worthy campaign, Verlander hasn’t been able to consistently find the same form.

Verlander has allowed three runs or fewer in 12 of his 19 starts this season, working into the seventh inning on nine different occasions.

However, the ace has also had a few clunkers.

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He was tagged for 11 this, nine runs, three home runs and a walk in four innings against Cleveland on April 15. Houston got to the right-hander on May 25 for nine hits, six runs, three walks and three runs in four frames of work.

Meanwhile, Cleveland once again had the better of Verlander in a July 2 outing.

In said outing, the American League Central team tallied nine hits, seven runs, three walks and two home runs in 3.1 innings.

Money

According to Spotrac, Verlander is making $28 million this season. He’ll make the same number in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

Per the same publication, he’ll take home $22 million in 2020.

Verlander’s salary obviously limits his market, as most teams around the league wouldn’t be able to afford such a sizeable monetary commitment.

Still, Detroit’s reported willingness to add some money to a potential deal could conceivably open up Verlander’s potential market somewhat.

It remains to be seen if the Tigers will in fact move their longtime ace. However, it should be noted that Verlander can veto a trade due to his 10-and-5 rights.

Next: AL East team linked with Justin Wilson

If a player has been in the league for 10 seasons, and has been with the same team for at least the last five, he can veto a trade.