MLB trade rumors: Mystery team interested in Tigers’ Justin Verlander

A mystery club has emerged as a suitor to acquire Tigers ace Justin Verlander, a source told Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

This unknown team joins the Astros as possible clubs interested in trading for the 35-year-old right hander before Thursday’s waiver deadline. Verlander was placed on revocable waivers on Aug. 2 and cleared them two days later, making him eligible to be traded to any team this month.

Verlander, a six-time All-Star who has won the 2006 AL Rookie of the Year, 2011 AL Cy Young, and 2011 AL MVP awards, has struggled all season. He has a 9-8 mark with a 3.90 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP and 167 strikeouts in 166 innings pitched. This comes a year after he finished second in the AL Cy Young voting after he went 16-9 with a 3.04 ERA and posted American League-highs in Ks (254) and WHIP (1.00) in 227 ²⁄₃ innings.

His struggles is one reason why trade talks for him were at a “standstill” just 11 days ago. Another reason was that the Tigers have not made it clear as to whether they want to trade off their many veterans and rebuild or stick with what they have and compete next year.

Along with that, Verlander’s contract is a big issue. he has remaining $75 million through the end of 2019 and can make an additional $22 million in 2020 if he finishes within the top five in Cy Young voting in 2019. Moreover, Verlander has a full no-trade clause and has not publicly requested for a trade out of Detroit.

Verlander could be a good get for a team like the Astros, who has the best record in the AL at 79-51. It could be good for this mystery team as well if it is also a contender.