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Detroit Tigers: 10 Players Least Likely to be Traded

By Ben Rosener

Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (right) greets Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (left) during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (right) greets Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (left) during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers
May 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) warms up prior to the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

#6 Justin Verlander

Age: 33
Position: Starting Pitcher
Controllable Through: 2020
2016 Stat of Note: 5.2 WAR

Justin Verlander doesn’t look to be slowing down, at least not any time soon.

Finally healthy after being limited by injuries, the future Hall of Famer dominated last season.

Verlander returned to ace-like status, leading the American League in WHIP and strikeouts while finishing tied for the lead in WAR. He also ranked second in innings pitched, SIERA and ERA.

Detroit’s ace also finished among the league’s elite in strikeouts per nine innings (third), swinging strike percentage (sixth), and 11th in both xFIP and walks per nine innings.

Why the Detroit Tigers Won’t Trade Verlander

If the Detroit Tigers are going to stay competitive, they’ll need to hang on to Verlander. Not only is the veteran Detroit’s best starter, but it would be an extremely difficult sell to the fans.

Michael Fulmer is very much the future of the rotation, but Verlander showed in 2016 that he’s still among the league’s best starters.

What’s more, any potential trade market will be limited to teams that can afford Verlander and offer a premium return. There aren’t many teams in the league that tick both of those boxes.

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