Report: Verlander nixes last-minute deal to Astros

Detroit Tigers starter Justin Verlander has reportedly exercised his no-trade clause to nix a deal to the Houston Astros in the final hour of the Aug. 31 waiver trade deadline, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.

McCosky adds, however, it's unclear if the Astros pulled themselves out of the deal first. Houston was expected to send the Tigers minor-league pitcher Forrest Whitley, outfielder Daz Cameron, and catcher Jake Rogers in the reported deal for Verlander.

Whitley, Cameron, and Rogers are the Astros' No. 2, No. 9, and No. 11 prospects, respectively.

Earlier Thursday, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reported there was a belief the Tigers' right-hander would permit a trade to the Chicago Cubs or Los Angeles Dodgers, though his willingness to allow a deal to the Astros at the time was unclear.

Verlander is earning $28 million this season, the fifth of a seven-year extension he signed with Detroit prior to the 2013 season that will pay him a guaranteed $180 million until 2019, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. He could earn another $22 million in 2020 if he finishes in the top five of Cy Young voting in 2019.

In order for Verlander to appear in the postseason with another team, they would have to acquire the 34-year-old and add him to the roster before Friday.

Verlander has appeared in 380 games over his 13-year career in the majors, all of them starts with Detroit. The hurler would have been a key addition to the Astros' rotation with respect to their postseason aspirations, as Verlander is posting a 3.82 ERA and 1.279 WHIP in 28 outings (172 innings) this season for the Tigers.