Detroit Tigers: Will Justin Verlander be traded this week?
By Matt Snyder
Justin Verlander’s fate with the Detroit Tigers will be decided this week as the trade deadline for postseason roster eligibility approaches.
Justin Verlander is scheduled to start against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, the Detroit Tigers‘ last game of the month of August. Could it be his last start as a member of the Tigers?
Verlander cleared revocable waivers earlier this month which made him eligible to be traded in August or September (the non-waiver trade period ended on July 31). But, in the event of a trade, he would only be eligible to play in the postseason if he’s on the acquiring team’s roster by midnight on August 31.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were rumored to be interested in Verlander back in July, but they filled there need for a starting pitcher when they landed Yu Darvish as the final bell was chiming on trade deadline day. The Houston Astros were also reported to be scouting Verlander in July but, while nothing materialized then, they’re the team that’s been linked as a possible waiver trade partner.
Astros general manager Jeff Lunhow has said that expectations should be low for the team to add a starting pitcher this month, but reports have mostly maintained that they haven’t shut the door completely on a trade for Verlander.
The Astros hold a comfortable lead in the American League West — they’re up 13.5 games on the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners — but certainly have room to add a pitcher to a rotation filled with modest names. With Lance McCullers on the disabled list with back trouble (he hasn’t pitched at all in August), their rotation thins quickly behind former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel.
Collin McHugh, Brad Peacock, Charlie Morton, and Mike Fiers are filling out spots two through five. While that bunch has been surprisingly effective out of the rotation this season, Astros fans would probably rather have Verlander starting twice for them in a playoff series than any of the above.
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Verlander started slowly out of the gate this season but has returned to his former self in the second half. Since the All-Star break he owns a 2.49 ERA and has a strikeout rate just north of 10 batters per nine innings.