Tigers GM doubtful of trading Verlander this season
Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila isn't optimistic Justin Verlander will be traded this season despite the club reportedly placing him on revocable waivers Wednesday.
"I wouldn't hold my breath," Avila said, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com. "These kind of things sometimes have better movement in the wintertime, when teams are readjusting their budgets and their roster and things of that nature. Nothing's guaranteed. He might be with us for even longer than that. I couldn't predict it today. Anything can happen."
The Tigers shopped Verlander leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline but were unable to work out a deal. With the former Cy Young winner on revocable waivers, the club could still work something out this month, but it's much more complicated.
Should a team place a claim on Verlander, the Tigers would have a few options. They could complete a standard trade within 48 hours; let the claiming club take Verlander and his remaining salary for no compensation; or pull him off waivers, making him ineligible to be traded for the rest of the season.
August trades are more rare with star players, and further complicating matters is the fact Verlander can veto any deal courtesy of his 10-and-5 rights.
The 34-year-old has spent his entire 13-year career with the Tigers, and is owed $56 million over the next two seasons.