Detroit Tigers trade rumors: Justin Verlander news is swirling

The Detroit Tigers might be getting close to trading Justin Verlander. They’ve reportedly summoned Drew VerHagen to Detroit in case Verlander becomes a late scratch from Monday’s start.

The Detroit Tigers are offering Justin Verlander on the trade market and signs point to negotiations being serious. Evan Woodbery of MLive reports that the Tigers have brought Drew VerHagen from Toledo to Detroit in case the veteran ace is scratched from Monday’s start.

There’s no indication that a deal is imminent, but the Tigers obviously think the talks have a chance to escalate to the point that the acquiring team would not want Verlander to pitch another inning before they get him.

Jon Morosi reports today that the Dodgers are showing (new) interest in Verlander but the subtext of the tweet indicates that they’re not looking to make a rush move until they hear back about Clayton Kershaw‘s latest injury.

The Tigers and Dodgers make sense as partners in a Verlander trade — Verlander has a large contract and the Dodgers have a lot of money — but the Tigers have made it clear that they’re looking for more than a salary dump if they were to trade one of the most iconic players in recent franchise history.

It’s not clear how many other teams are involved with the Tigers in Verlander discussions at this time, but it’s likely that the Tigers will elect to eat some of the contract going forward in order to get a better haul of prospects in return.

Verlander is owed $28 million in each of the next two seasons and holds a vesting option for the 2020 season that triggers if he finishes in the top five of Cy Young award voting in 2019.

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Verlander holds a full no-trade clause but he has indicated that he would be willing to waive his rights if it meant playing for a team in serious contention.