MLB trade rumors: Tigers unlikely to trade Justin Verlander

It appears Justin Verlander has not made his last start in a Tigers uniform. As reported by Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, barring a “miracle,” Detroit will keep Verlander through Monday’s non-waiver trade deadline.

Verlander was considered one of the top available starters as the deadline approached, though there has been greater interest in Oakland’s Sonny Gray and Texas’ Yu Darvish. Verlander has been linked to the Cubs, Brewers and Dodgers throughout the month.

A few factors have contributed to the lack of strong interest in Verlander, including his remaining salary ($28 million annually over the next two years) and full no-trade clause. He has struggled to a 4.50 ERA and 1.44 WHIP this year for Detroit, showing regression in his age-34 season after finishing second in Cy Young voting last fall.

Verlander will almost certainly clear waivers in August, making him a candidate to be dealt then. The Tigers, who have already traded J.D. Martinez and still have trade candidates Justin Wilson, Alex Avila, Ian Kinsler and Jose Iglesias, could make Verlander available again this winter.