Report: Tigers ‘could be talked into’ trading Justin Verlander

The Detroit Tigers may be getting ready to tear things down with the trade deadline looming.

According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Tigers are not actively shopping starting pitcher Justin Verlander, but would be open to moving him.

Source says Tigers aren't actively shopping Justin Verlander, but the perception is Detroit "could be talked into moving him" by July 31.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 12, 2017

Verlander will be tougher to trade than one might think. He nearly won the AL Cy Young Award a year ago, but his 2017 has been less successful, with a 4.73 ERA, a sinking strikeout rate, and a career-worst 4.4 BB/9. He’s also owed another $58 million for the next two seasons, and Detroit would probably have to swallow some money to get a quality prospect haul.

The Tigers are rapidly fading from contention, though, and Verlander might not be the only Tiger to go by July 31.