MLB trade rumors: Brewers interested in Tigers’ Justin Verlander

The Brewers are interested in acquiring Tigers ace Justin Verlander, according to Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press.

In addition, Fenech says the Cubs are still "monitoring the situation." The Cubs took interest in the 34-year-old right-hander on July 6.

Verlander has struggled this season after a stellar 2016 in which he finished second in the AL Cy Young Voting. Last year, Verlander led the American League in strikeouts for the fourth time in his career with 254 Ks and posted a 3.04 ERA over 227 2⁄3 innings. This year, Verlander has a 4.54 ERA, struck out 111 hitters and walked an AL-high 55 batters, a year after only walking 57, in 117 innings.

The Brewers will need a lot of things to happen in their favor in order to land Verlander, who is a six-time All-Star, a former AL MVP and a Cy Young winner in 2011. First, Verlander would have to waive his no-trade clause, which is in effect, along with his 10-and-5 rights. Second, Verlander is signed through the end of 2019 and is still owed $70 million.

However, the Brewers are in first in the NL Central and Verlander would probably be willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to a contender. As for his contract, the Brewers could take it on because they have the lowest payroll in baseball this year at around $78 million and only $25 million on the books next year.