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Astros Countdown: Top Five Risky Trade Ideas
By Colin Gay
Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander is already one of the best Detroit Tiger pitchers ever. Currently No. 7 in all time wins for the Tigers organization, Verlander has won the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 2006 and the AL Cy Young and MVP award in 2011 when he won the pitching triple crown, leading the AL in ERA, wins and strikeouts.
Now, as a 34-year-old on a struggling team, Verlander may be looking for a chance to win somewhere else. Joel Sherman said on MLB Network that Verlander should be a part of a trade with Martinez and left-handed reliever Justin Wilson in a deal for many Astros prospects including Derek Fisher and David Paulino.
At first thought, it seems good. Verlander, a veteran presence, could be good for Lance McCullers and Dallas Keuchel and provide depth in the rotation. Also, it brings a guy in with postseason experience. However, Verlander has not earned trade talks this season.
In 2017, he has a 4.63 ERA, his highest since 2008, with a 1.46 WHIP. His strikeout numbers have declined, with only 66 in 70 innings of work after leading the AL with 254 last season. Also, he has averaged a career high 1.3 home runs per nine innings of work.
That whole deal is very expensive. The Astros have to be sure that Verlander, a pitcher who is 34 and is under contract until 2019, is the answer to the rotation question. A blockbuster deal may bring national attention, but may not be worth it in the long run.