Latest overseas signing a cruel reminder of the Tigers' Justin Verlander trade flop

Detroit Tigers fans don't need to be reminded of how poorly the 2017 trade of Justin Verlander aged, considering catcher Jake Rogers is the only piece from that deal currently on their roster, though he might be facing some competition for his starting gig. Former Houston Astros' first-round pick, outfielder Daz Cameron, was the prize of the package the Tigers got for Verlander, and he is suddenly out of Major League Baseball.

Cameron never quite lived up to the lofty expectations the Tigers had for him while parting with the veteran Cy Young award winner, and it was a lowly experience watching him once he reached the majors.

Appearing in 17 games for the Tigers in the shortened 2020 season, Cameron slashed .193/.220/.263 through 59 plate appearances. Used mostly as an up-and-down bench option in 2021 and 2022, the once highly sought-after outfield prospect was out of Detroit by 2023, being claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles.

He popped back up on the Major League radar with the Athletics in 2024, appearing in 66 games with an OPS of .587. 2025 saw the 28-year-old get a cup of coffee with the Milwaukee Brewers, but as has been the case in each of his previous stops, his offensive production left much to be desired.

Daz Cameron is out of Major League Baseball, a painful reminder of the Tigers botching the Justin Verlander trade

Cameron's Major League Baseball journey is now at a standstill, and he is pursuing an opportunity overseas. Jon Heyman reports that the veteran outfielder has signed with the Doosan Bears of the Korean Baseball Organization. Perhaps he finds his way back to the majors if he finds success overseas, but it won't change how the Verlander trade has aged for the Tigers.

With Verlander now a free agent, it would be pretty ironic that if the same offseason Cameron leaves Major League Baseball, the 41-year-old former Cy Young Award winner returns to Detroit. However, a reunion with the Astros seems to be more likely for the former ace.

Regardless, the reminder of the Verlander trade comes at an opportune time for the Tigers' front office. A different regime, yes, but they are faced with a similar debate regarding whether or not to trade Tarik Skubal. For all the dream packages that a Skubal trade could land the Tigers, as Cameron's journey proved, they don't always turn out the way a team hopes.