10:47pm: The Tigers are “still busily working [the] phones,” tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today, with Verlander’s status as yet uncertain.
10:27pm: There are a variety of reports emerging late that paint a somewhat confusing picture. Detroit News journalist Chris McCosky said a deal was close with the Astros, only to report shortly thereafter that Verlander had nixed the proposed arrangement (links to Twitter). Now, McCosky says it’s not clear if Verlander exercised his no-trade clause or if the Astros backed out. Jon Morosi of MLB Network (via Twitter) and Mark Berman of FOX 26 (via Twitter) had also suggested that a deal was getting closer.
9:05pm: The Cubs still aren’t willing to meet the Tigers’ asking price, per David Kaplan of CSN Chicago (via Twitter). Chicago is believed to be the only team willing to take on most or all of Verlander’s salary, per ESPNChicago.com’s Jesse Rogers (Twitter link), though indications remain that a deal is not likely at this late stage.
8:16pm: One source tells ESPN Jerry Crasnick (Twitter link) that talks involving Verlander are believed to be “dead” with less than three hours to go before the deadline to add players with eligibility for postseason rosters.
6:24pm: The Cubs and Astros — two teams with prior reported interest — spoke with Detroit today, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports (via Twitter). Both learned that the Tigers’ asking price on Verlander has not changed. Whether or not either of those two hypothetical suitors remains engaged on Verlander is not clear.
2:29pm: While Detroit is indeed asking around about Verlander trades, FanRag’s Jon Heyman tweets that a trade of Verlander remains “possible but not probable.” As of yesterday, Tigers brass was reportedly not optimistic about reaching a deal for Verlander.
1:49pm: The Tigers are in “active discussions” on the possibility of a Justin Verlander trade in advance of tonight’s deadline for postseason roster eligibility, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com (Twitter links). Per Morosi, each of Verlander, Shane Greene and Alex Wilson is in play as the Tigers are “making clear” to other clubs that they are embarking on a rebuild.
The inclusion of Greene and Wilson is surprising, if for no other reason than it suggests that both affordable relievers have perhaps cleared revocable waivers. Morosi doesn’t explicitly state that, but both would need to have cleared in order to be discussed in trades or, at the very least, have been claimed off revocable waivers in the past day or so (which would leave Detroit able to negotiate with only the claiming team). The Astros have remained in contact with the Tigers regarding Verlander over the past 48 hours, Morosi further adds.
Detroit is already on the verge of unloading one massive contract, as the Tigers have reportedly agreed to trade Justin Upton to the Angels. Certainly, the Tigers will be looking for more than just salary relief in exchange for Verlander, who has been dominant over the past couple of months after a slow start to the season, however. Verlander is owed $56MM from 2018-19.
pickandersen
What time is today’s deadline?
MB923
Midnight I believe
Chucky25
Midnight
mike156
Not to be cynical, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the “nonofficial” deadline depends on the team….
woolcorp
Midnight eastern daylight time
Brixton
Can Avila take a chill pill until im done classes for the day?
desertbull
Git’er dun Theo!!!!
Timothy Souza
It’s not the Cubs … No viable prospects
Jockstrapper
They’re not getting prospects from anyone. Either cash relief or nothing.
EndinStealth
Not high level prospects, but some.
BlakeBanks79
Ur n idiot
BlakeBanks79
That was 2 radiohead…. actually ur both smoking something. If JV does get traded it will cost a team a couple high level prospects!
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
No it won’t. The Tigers can want that all they want but if anyone were interested in giving up top prospects for JV he would have been claimed on waivers.
stymeedone
Not true. Claim him and you have only 48 HRs to make a deal. The Tigers pull him back, and now you just removed a possible trade target from your list until the off season. Sure, no one else gets him either, but what if they pull an Alex Rios, and stick you with the full contract? No one (at least not Kenny Williams) thought Toronto would let him go for nothing. Once Verlander clears, there is no risk of taking on more salary than you are willing to take on.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
If Verlander were as hot of a commodity as the Tigers FO seems to think he is teams would be willing to get stuck with his contract. If no one is willing to do that then you can’t even hope to get actual prospects for him.
BlakeBanks79
How stupid u feel Ryan? No top prospects huh? Lol all u ppl think ur so smart
tim815
If the Cubs have no viable prospects, I guess no teams are going to try to poach their talent in December at the Rule 5 Draft.
Cool.
davbee
They’ll be too busy poaching talent from the good farm systems like the Braves, Brewers, White Sox, Phillies, Padres, etc.
dewssox79
who will be poaching the white sox farm? the cubs?
padresfan
There is no way the padres will give up any prospect talent
Sorry to steal your thunder
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Padres have very little in the way of good prospects who are newly Rule 5 eligible this winter. Off the top of my head it’s just Brad Wieck.
24TheKid
Please Mariners.
Greg Cole
I wish!!!!!!!!!
prf999
Agree
Timothy Souza
Red Sox are in on Verlander … Sam Travis is involved and others. Sox won’t budge on top tier prospects but will eat salary
brucebochyisthemarlboroman
It’s gotta be the Astros, if they don’t get some pitching the fans will eat them alive. The Maybin deal is still puzzling as all hell.
stymeedone
Maybe Maybin allows for Astros to move Fischer?
pickandersen
Don’t believe it. But who knows.
Bruin1012
The Red Sox make sense with the Price question mark just doubt the Tigers trade him for what Boston is willing to give.
Chucky25
I’m shocked Sam Travis cleared waivers
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
Question…..
Does each player involved in the trade have to clear waivers? I initially thought without thinking about it it was just the main guy.
mike156
Here’s a link to the process: mlbtraderumors.com/2017/08/how-august-trades-work-…
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Anyone who is on a 40-man roster has to clear waivers to be traded after the July 31st trade deadline
jbaker3170
You know this how again??
biasisrelitive
he would put them over the tax line so that’s a no
brucebochyisthemarlboroman
Unless the Astros are in on Verlander they’re still the most puzzling FO in the league. I still am trying to wrap my head around the Maybin deal.
Timothy Souza
Just wheels off the bench. Angels needed to dump him somewhere. See Rajah Davis
tigerfan4ever
Rajah?
Timothy Souza
Rajai
tigerfan4ever
Glad you corrected that. You were making me think you were Rod Allen or Craig Monroe who pronounced his name that way the two years Davis was in Detroit!
oldleftylong
C-Mo know!
Astros2333
I’m hoping its a flip.
Caseys Partner
“Astros are in on Verlander”
The Astros problem is they’ve stopped hitting. If they don’t start hitting before the playoffs then they’re done.
Verlander can’t change their fate nor could Verlander and two more pitchers like him.
The lineup has become their problem.
oldleftylong
The ‘stros screwed it up yet again this year. Look for a quick KO in the playoffs. They should have made some deals in July but, oh no, … hang on to any and all prospects.
donniebaseball
Let’s say the astros’ bats are cold at the beginning of the playoffs. You’re telling me a guy who is more likely to go 8 innings scoreless “can’t change” their odds?
jdgoat
You’re really trying to sell verlander aren’t you.
jarrett62960
Look what he did to Oakland in the ALDS 2012 and 2013. Only gave up the one run to Boston in the 2013 ALCS. He can be and often is a difference maker…no one has to sell that
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
And look what he did against the Giants in the 2012 WS
jarrett62960
Pablo wasn’t hot or anything. One bad performance out of how many great to good performances in the playoffs. Just the examples I used has you down 3-1. How about his performance against the Yankees in the 2012 ALCS? He was good against Baltimore in the 2014 ALdS. Thanks for playing
donniebaseball
I said “more likely.” I obviously didn’t say he’ll do that every time out.
However, he’s had some great postseason starts (putting up numbers that ridiculous in 25% of all of his postseason starts), and has been in CY Young form since June… so what’s stopping him?
tim815
Are they willing to add about $28 mil per year to payroll? If so, they ought to get him.
coldgoldenfalstaff
I like the Maybin deal, good defensive CF, clubhouse glue guy and basestealer, gives us a different dimension on the bench, and doesn’t force Fisher into a playoff role he’s not ready for, plus they didn’t give up anyone, straight waiver claim.
I doubt the Astros move on this for one reason, Verlander can opt out of his contract after this or the next season, after he waives his NMC.
The Tigers want a huge haul for their top player, not worth it for one playoff run. Astros should keep the prospect powder dry for the offseason and better/younger options at lower salaries and longer contracts.
I’d like to see the Astros go after Stanton to replace Beltran next year. That would be a good use of those prospects.
Oglivie
Let the Detroit fire sale begin!
Timothy Souza
Oh it’s begun
hk27
Could Angels possibly get all the Tiger Uptons? It will be expensive, but they surely need both a power bat in LF and a SP..
Oglivie
What’s the deadline for trading our GM? Avila can drive the bus out of town.
dugdog83
Midnight.
acarneglia
Yankees maybe? Solidify the rotation of Tanaka-Severino-Gray-Sabathia?
Timothy Souza
Solidify … lol
tim815
Are they willing to add most of $28 mil per season over the next two?
I heard they wanted to trim salary below the limit.
drrrayman
JV to the Dodgers!
Kershaw
Verlander
Dervish
Game over!!!
Timothy Souza
It’s Darvish … and why is Eric Gagne in your rotation
wiggysf
Wood has been better than Verlander this year
donniebaseball
Wood has pitched 180 innings once in his career. Verlander has pitched 180 innings in every season except for 2015.
If wood looks this good for an entire season, then I’ll agree with you- but so far he never has.
chesteraarthur
“Wood has been better than Verlander ****this year****’
fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&…
Even in less innings, wood has still been a more valuable pitcher up to this point, this year, as he said. What he said is verifiable by stats.
drrrayman
Darvish damn auto correct
davbee
That’s why you get five minutes to proof read and edit.
wiggysf
Not if you use the app
kiddhoff
Cardinals have the money. Verlander and Wilson to the Cards!
Timothy Souza
No
davbee
So they can solidify their hold on third in the central.
kiddhoff
Keep talking. Remember 2011?
davbee
That’s why the Cards aren’t going to the playoffs–they and their fans are living in the past.
kiddhoff
Are you nyger morgan?
stl_cards16 2
I agree they’re not going to the post season. But what in the world makes you think they’re living in the past. There’s 2 players on the roster from 2011. And how in the world would fans living in the past hurt current player performance?
sidewinder11
DBacks could use Greene or Wilson for the right price.
Timothy Souza
So could like every other contending team
JrodFunk5
Except the Yankees who have 87 closers
Snutes
So, TIMOTHY SOUZA, you’re just King of the douchebag trolls on here huh? Don’t supply any of your own thoughts you just go on and comment under everyone elses just to tell them that they spelled something wrong or to tell them they’re just wrong in general.
davbee
You’re abdicating your crown?
angelsfan4life
The Rockies would make sense. Give them the top of the Rotation pitcher they need. And the Rockies have a solid minor league system.
Bruin1012
I think Verlander has full no trade no way he would agree to go to the Rockies.
angelsfan4life
Why wouldn’t he? The Rockies are a better team than the Tigers. With Verlander they could go far in the playoffs.
Bruin1012
I don’t think any elite pitcher wants to pitch in the Mile High air if they have a choice.
donniebaseball
He wouldn’t because he has an outside chance of 3000 innings and 3000 strikeouts.
I doubt he risks that to play in coors.
0428April
Verlander for Shwarber, Rick Sutcliffe and Moises Alou….
Rightout
Detroit wants Chavis and Travis probably also Mata or d. Hernandez. That’s a lot…..Houston they want f. Perez…Alvarez and or Moran or f nova…they won’t trade til the off season then will trade him to Dodgers for verdigo and other prospects…..
Bruin1012
No chance they are getting that much from the Red Sox unless they are eating a lot of salary.
chevyheston
Detroit could eat the whole salary and I still couldn’t see Sox giving up Chavis and Travis for him. Ain’t happening.
Bruin1012
I could see Chavis and Travis for Verlander but I highly doubt Chavis cleared waivers since he is on the 40 man. Sale, Verlander and Pom would be as good as anyone’s top 3 and would make the Red Sox serious threats to win it all.
Bruin1012
I meant Travis clears waivers he is the guy on the 40 man.
oldleftylong
DD would give up his first born son for JV. Verlander to the Bosox, … tonight.
Bruin1012
Yup I’m pretty sure GM’s are going to base his value on this years AAA numbers. Travis still is plenty of value.
Bruin1012
I’m also sure he didn’t clear waivers so he would not be who was being traded.
stubby66
You know what I think the Brewers could be the mystery team. They have prospects not on the 40 man rosterthat could get this done if Tigers eat some money and set themselves up for next year
terry g
Still don’t think this will happen, possible not probable but it is fun to watch.
Rightout
gm Avilia cleared waivers so where stuck with him….the Tigers may get something decent for Greene he and Wilson had to be claimed no way they would clear waivers….im hearing…..the Angels on wilson
pepesilvia
Mets could use him going into next year. Matz for Verlander should work for both sides considering JV remaining salary.
donniebaseball
That would be interesting. I wonder if matz cleared waivers.
jarrett62960
Verlander wouldn’t approve a trade to a non contending team…he’s already on one
Bruin1012
The other issue with Trading Verlander doesn’t he have a full no trade he would have to approve the trade.
jakethesnizake
Tigers are nuts if they don’t deal this guy. JV is solid, but he’s also 34 years old and owed a lot of $. If they are truly committed to a rebuild, then shipping out JV, Cabrera is an obvious move. They’re both on the downswing of their careers and while its reasonable to expect good production from both over the next 2 -3 years, they hardly can be expected to match their previous production.
They should offer to eat a substantial amount of JV’s remaining salary in exchange for 1-2 quality prospects.and maybe a middling guy. If they don’t want to eat salary, you dump the guy for a couple middling guys.
I recognize that Tigers fans love JV and rightfully so but to pretend he’s part of any long term plan is folly. Dobrowski was a dumba$$ for depleting their farm system over the past few years and unfortunately they have to go through the rebuild motions.
kiddhoff
I agree it would be kind of crazy to hold on to Verlander, especially after gutting their team. You would have to believe that these ‘leaks’ are being used as a negotiating strategy in order to take the best offer (within the next few hours)
jarrett62960
You’re missing the mark. The Tigers aren’t just looking for a trade, a future hall of famer by the way, but to also cut costs and dump salary. Eating his contract makes 0 sense
bobbleheadguru
They would be crazy to not wait until the offseason when 20 teams could bid for him instead of 2.
If you reduce his salary to about $18MM, EVERY over .500 team would be interested him.
kiddhoff
They could get some team to pay $22 million/yr right now.I think there’s more than just 2 teams ‘IN’ on verlander. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Verlander is a hot commodity at this moment. Probably not so much in the off season
RegretfulTigersFan7
Verlander for Tucker or Fisher plus whatever else we can get.
Astros need insurance in their rotation, Tigers need promise in their outfield.
dudeness88
Fisher is on the 40 man. No way he slips through unclaimed.
stymeedone
You Probably thought Bryce Harper would get claimed, too.
aff10
Completely different scenario. Harper was obviously unclaimed because other teams wouldn’t waste their time (I would’ve claimed him anyways, but whatever). Teams would claim Fisher if Houston were actually trying to move him for something
stymeedone
Teams may have thought Houston wouldn’t trade Fisher, either. I wouldn’t have thought Shane Greene or Alex Wilson would have cleared either, but it seems they did. Who knows what goes on in the minds of these GMs.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Why would the Astros do that if they wouldn’t take Verlander and his contract straight up? You have to be able to find a team willing to take a guy and his contract straight up before you can worry about getting actual prospects.
aff10
I do generally agree with this sentiment you propose whenever a player like this is discussed (I was with you on Ryan Braun last year too). That said, I think what you miss is that the waiver claim period is a terrible time to consider trading for good players on large contracts. Teams have a budget, and most can’t afford to claim a player midseason (and obviously run the risk of getting saddled with the contract) without having any way to clear other payroll. The contract is under water slightly IMO, but not a ton.
If Detroit pays down a little bit in the off-season (when teams have the flexibility to move other contracts to keep their budget in check), I imagine they’d get a decent prospect or two. Kyle Tucker’s just crazy, but something real
aff10
In case it’s unclear (and because it’s the first example I can think of), the Cubs only signed Zobrist in 2015 upon reaching a deal to move Castro to the Yankees simultaneously. Without the freedom to trade Castro, they wouldn’t have been able to take Zobrist on the books, so if the question of the Zobrist contract came up in August, they might not have been able to make it work, despite presumably feeling the same way about the player as they did when they signed him a few months later
stymeedone
@WCRyan
I’d explain AGAIN why teams can be interested in a player they would not claim on waivers, but evidently, it’s a concept you do not grasp. If you want, you can go back to the last time you posted that to read my reply.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
They’re interested in JV sure. But not at his current price and especially not at his current price + prospects.
And if he were that great of a commodity, someone would have claimed him at least in order to block other contenders from trading for him.
Kevin McKeon
Verlander is not going anywhere, nor is Wilson
Kevin McKeon
Shane Green is going to the Nationals
bobbleheadguru
Tigers should take this to the wire and be willing to walk away.
Astros should make the deal
I think its the Red Sox who do (if it happens). Never underestimate the need for David Dombrowski to ride the Maverick at Cedar Point at the 11th hour of the Trade Deadline.
reflect
1 prospect for just Verlander, 3 prospects for a package of Verlander and Kate Upton.
Mr Pike
It has been reported to have offered to pay the remainder of JV’s 2017 salary. The receiving team would get three Septembers and three playoff runs of an elite playoff tested starter for two years salary. Not a bad get.
ReverieDays
In other news, there is no news.
bobbleheadguru
I know this game: We have come to the point in the negotiation that you leave the car dealership and say “no deal”… but are hoping that the sales person is following you out.
Astros are crazy not to make a deal right now. JV puts them in the World Series over Cleveland. Without him, They might not even make it out of the first round.
Red Sox could be in the mix…. but Price would have to come back to the Tigers:
Price for JV and Zimmermann makes sense for both sides.
ReverieDays
lol
aff10
“JV puts them in the World Series over Cleveland.” Not sure why this perception is so widespread. It helps their chances a bit, yeah, but if it were as simple as “with Verlander, they go to WS, without him, they don’t,” Kyle Tucker would’ve been long gone. It’s very possible they get there without him, or that they lose the ALDS after making a trade, and he starts one game
aff10
As for Price, I’m honestly baffled why you would want him back… his deal is arguably as bad as Zimmermann’s
ChiSoxCity
If the Astros were willing to move prospects for a starter, they would have done it already. As things stand, the Astros’ starting rotation isn’t deep enough to contend, and their front office seems to be content with that.
BlakeBanks79
Jus seen on twitter from what looks like a Realiable source.
JV n Fulmer dealt to Mets for Tim Tebow!
Looks like Tigers got the better part of the deal
dugdog83
Tough crowd.
simschifan
So let the Tigers be a last place team paying a fortune for a pitcher. Smart move Avila
CubsRebsSaints
Detroit should give JV to CHI for whatever they offer. As long as it’s a great deal of salary relief. Which it would have to be due to the lack of “Top Prospects” in the Cubs system. You just got out of J Upton’s contract. Now unload!! Rebuild! If he were 28,29 or he’ll even 30/31, you could keep and he could be your 34 year old wily ole vet, when you compete next.
BlakeBanks79
So give him away for low level prospects n rebuild? Rebuild with shxt prospects? Was jus thinking Al Avila is by far the worst GM in baseball but u might b able to replace him if u apply for the job?
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Yes and then invest the money you aren’t paying him in young international talent.
BlakeBanks79
U even know what ur talking about? Every team only has a certain amount they can spend on international players..
jd396
Guy with Cubs in his username thinks they should just give him to the Cubs
BlakeBanks79
N there u have it smart one @cubsRebsSaints
U said they should jus give JV away when in fact Astros were invluding there #3, #9 and #11 prospects for him. But all u wannabe GM’s who kept saying on here JV isnt worth top prospects huh?
2 all u dumbaxxes, CHEERS!!!
simschifan
He’s going to the Astros. Waiting on his approval.
simschifan
Nevermind
Ejoey
And where did you hear this?
66TheNumberOfTheBest
It was an exciting 2 and 1/2 minutes on MLB Tonight.
wright0525
He nixed the deal.
jd396
This is the most exciting Aug 31 deadline ever.
dugdog83
Yes, this is fun.
jdgoat
He had a chance at a World Series and turned it down?
ray_derek
The Dodgers or Red Sox made an offer?
start_wearing_purple
You really believe the Astros don’t stand a chance? They’re the best team in the AL right now.
ray_derek
*Were
The haven’t been the best team in the AL for almost a month now.
start_wearing_purple
Well if Verlander really used his no trade clause then he’s killed most of the leverage the Tigers might have in the off season. Again, if true I have to wonder if Verlander simply wants to remain a Tiger, didn’t want to go to Houston, or he made some kind of demand that he wants either an extension or his option year exercised. If it’s the first then Verlander holds all the cards, if it’s the second or third then the pool of trade candidates is down and those teams will make sure the Tigers pay more. Anyway you put it, bad news for the Tigers if they really want to get rid of Verlander.
Ejoey
Verlander trying to get better contact ( 3rd year). He didn’t get.Upton without some fast talking. lol
ray_derek
Justin or Kate?
wright0525
The Cubs have already given all of their prospects away. Will the Dodgers off up the same type of package as the Astros?
diller79
Verlander loves it in Detroit and doesn’t want to leave. The tigers front office are fine with paying the rest of his contract and verlander is fine with being the ace on a bad team and being a major mentor to all the tigers young pitchers. Only way verlander will waive his no trade clause is if Avila really wants to move on from him which doesn’t appear to be true
dugdog83
None of that sounds correct. This isn’t a Hallmark card.
Brewersnation
Could the Milwaukee Brewers be a surprise team for him?
ray_derek
Yeah, he’s going to veto Houston but go to Milwaukee, good one.
diller79
If he vetoed a trade to the astros he would 100% veto a trade to the brewers
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
He’d be better off 3 more losing seasons in Detroit. Basically L.A. Chicago and Houston were the only teams he would’ve accepted a trade too.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Would’ve been nooice for the cubs to get verlander but they don’t have the prospects. At the end of the day they are just prospects and there’s no guarantee they will pan out.
Eloy and Glayber will be great. I don’t think eloy will debut in 3-4 years with the white Sox. Glayber himself is 2 years away. Alot can happen in that time frame.