Report: Giants interested in Verlander if he waives no-trade clause

The San Francisco Giants appear to be looking at New York Mets right-hander Justin Verlander in order to make a big splash before the trade deadline.

The Giants are among the teams evaluating the three-time Cy Young winner as a trade candidate ahead of Aug. 1 if the hurler shows a willingness to waive his no-trade clause, sources told MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

Verlander could provide a boost to a Giants rotation that already ranks fourth in the National League in ERA and fifth in FIP. The 40-year-old owns a 3.98 FIP and 1.16 WHIP in 14 starts. He's looked especially good in July, lowering his ERA from 4.11 to 3.47 during his last four starts.

Acquiring Verlander could be an expensive get for the Giants. The veteran pitcher is in the first season of a two-year, $86.7-million deal he signed with the Mets before this season. His contract also includes a $35-million vesting option for 2025 that becomes a player option if he throws 140 innings in 2024.

The Giants enter Saturday three games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place in the NL West. They'd qualify for the postseason as the second wild-card team if the season ended today.

Meanwhile, the high-priced Mets are 6.5 games back of a wild-card spot and 18 games back of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East.