Houston Astros: Mark DeRosa proposes another deal

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Jun 29, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Justin Wilson (38) pitches in the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Now, on paper, this deal should be very beneficial for the Astros. First, Wilson provides stability as another left-handed reliever out of the Astros bullpen, not leaving Tony Sipp as the only one. He would also become a valuable late-inning pitcher. He has shown that he can strikeout hitters with consistency and with nasty stuff. That would take the burden off of pitchers like Will Harris and Chris Devenski who could take a rest more often.

However, Wilson is in the middle of a one-year $2.7 million dollar contract with the Tigers. He was traded from the New York Yankees before the 2016 season. Depending on how valuable he is in his time with the Houston Astros, Wilson could be due for a big payday going into his 30-year-old season. He is no definite as a long-term option out of the bullpen.

The money side.

As for Verlander, the Houston Astros are going to have to be sure he is right for the organization before the trade is through. According to spotrac.com, the 34-year-old is in the middle of a six-year $162 million dollar contract that is through 2019 with a player option for the 2020 season. That would mean that the Astros would have to pay $28 million dollars in 2018 and 2019 for Verlander.

Now, money may not be an issue for the Astros, but his pitching style may not fit as well in the system. As a high strikeout pitcher that primarily uses a mid-nineties four-seam fastball, a high-eighties slider, and a low-eighties changeup, he is a fly ball pitcher. Normally, his fly ball percentage hovers from 40-45 percent. He normally gives up close to one home run per nine innings of work.

This season, hitters are hitting fly balls 42.8 percent of the time with only 8.5 percent of those balls leaving the yard. With pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers, they have found success in creating ground ball contact in a hitter friendly park like Minute Maid Park. If Verlander cannot do this, it may become an issue.

Next: Astros: Justin Verlander could offer a Randy Johnson like impact

Fans would be excited to see Verlander in an Astros uniform. He would have the chance to be a leader in the clubhouse and the bullpen for the younger Astros pitchers. However, he is not a rental. So, you have to think, is Verlander the pitcher the Astros want for the next two-and-a-half seasons?

***Stats from Baseball-Reference and Spotrac***

The long-term effect for the Astros

The money side.