Good move.
The team with the best record in the American League just got a major reinforcement for its postseason run.
The Houston Astros have acquired right-hander Justin Verlander from the Detroit Tigers, boosting a pitching staff that features fellow Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel.
In 28 starts this season, Verlander is 10-8 with a 3.82 ERA. Since May 30, Verlander has a 3.24 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 111 innings.
"On behalf of the Detroit Tigers, we sincerely thank Justin Verlander for his remarkable 13 seasons of dedication to the organization," Tigers executive vice president and general manager Al Avila said. "Justin has been the face of consistency over the course of his career and a pillar for baseball in the city of Detroit. He is someone who I believe to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. We wish Justin all the best as he starts a new chapter in his illustrious career."
The team with the best record in the American League just got a major reinforcement for its postseason run.
The Houston Astros have acquired right-hander Justin Verlander from the Detroit Tigers, boosting a pitching staff that features fellow Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel.
In 28 starts this season, Verlander is 10-8 with a 3.82 ERA. Since May 30, Verlander has a 3.24 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 111 innings.
"On behalf of the Detroit Tigers, we sincerely thank Justin Verlander for his remarkable 13 seasons of dedication to the organization," Tigers executive vice president and general manager Al Avila said. "Justin has been the face of consistency over the course of his career and a pillar for baseball in the city of Detroit. He is someone who I believe to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. We wish Justin all the best as he starts a new chapter in his illustrious career."
Verlander has an option for 2020 that could vest for $22 million if he finishes in the top five in Cy Young voting in 2019, but he did not get an extension as part of the Houston deal.
Verlander is a playoff veteran, having appeared in the postseason five times. He is 7-5 with a 3.39 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 16 career starts in the playoffs.
"He adds a boost to our rotation. He's been pitching well. We think he'll give us some leadership. He's been in the playoffs before and adds a dimension we didn't have,'' Astros owner Jim Crane said.
Verlander had been the subject of trade rumors for the past two months and had talked about being at peace with any decision, since he controlled his destination.
"I guess that makes it easier on me, personally. I definitely would not be upset about staying here in Detroit, and again, because I control my own destiny, it wouldn't be somewhere I don't want to go [if a trade happens]," Verlander said in July.
Crane hopes Verlander is a piece that can help the Astros in the postseason.
<article class="ad-300"></article>"We hope it positions us to get into the playoffs, get by the first round, get into the second round and get to the World Series and win it. That's what we've been working at, and that's what we'll continue to work at, and we want to win,'' Crane said.
The Astros played a home series against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, this week because of catastrophic flooding in the Houston area in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. They returned to Houston on Thursday night, and they will begin a series at Minute Maid Park with the New York Mets with a doubleheader on Saturday.
"We think it will be great for the town,'' Crane said. "We need a little boost right now. So all the stars may be aligned here. We're hoping that it works out good for us.''
The Houston Astros have acquired right-hander Justin Verlander from the Detroit Tigers, boosting a pitching staff that features fellow Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel.
In 28 starts this season, Verlander is 10-8 with a 3.82 ERA. Since May 30, Verlander has a 3.24 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 111 innings.
"On behalf of the Detroit Tigers, we sincerely thank Justin Verlander for his remarkable 13 seasons of dedication to the organization," Tigers executive vice president and general manager Al Avila said. "Justin has been the face of consistency over the course of his career and a pillar for baseball in the city of Detroit. He is someone who I believe to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. We wish Justin all the best as he starts a new chapter in his illustrious career."
The team with the best record in the American League just got a major reinforcement for its postseason run.
The Houston Astros have acquired right-hander Justin Verlander from the Detroit Tigers, boosting a pitching staff that features fellow Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel.
In 28 starts this season, Verlander is 10-8 with a 3.82 ERA. Since May 30, Verlander has a 3.24 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 111 innings.
"On behalf of the Detroit Tigers, we sincerely thank Justin Verlander for his remarkable 13 seasons of dedication to the organization," Tigers executive vice president and general manager Al Avila said. "Justin has been the face of consistency over the course of his career and a pillar for baseball in the city of Detroit. He is someone who I believe to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. We wish Justin all the best as he starts a new chapter in his illustrious career."
Verlander has an option for 2020 that could vest for $22 million if he finishes in the top five in Cy Young voting in 2019, but he did not get an extension as part of the Houston deal.
Verlander is a playoff veteran, having appeared in the postseason five times. He is 7-5 with a 3.39 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 16 career starts in the playoffs.
"He adds a boost to our rotation. He's been pitching well. We think he'll give us some leadership. He's been in the playoffs before and adds a dimension we didn't have,'' Astros owner Jim Crane said.
Verlander had been the subject of trade rumors for the past two months and had talked about being at peace with any decision, since he controlled his destination.
"I guess that makes it easier on me, personally. I definitely would not be upset about staying here in Detroit, and again, because I control my own destiny, it wouldn't be somewhere I don't want to go [if a trade happens]," Verlander said in July.
Crane hopes Verlander is a piece that can help the Astros in the postseason.
<article class="ad-300"></article>"We hope it positions us to get into the playoffs, get by the first round, get into the second round and get to the World Series and win it. That's what we've been working at, and that's what we'll continue to work at, and we want to win,'' Crane said.
The Astros played a home series against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, this week because of catastrophic flooding in the Houston area in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. They returned to Houston on Thursday night, and they will begin a series at Minute Maid Park with the New York Mets with a doubleheader on Saturday.
"We think it will be great for the town,'' Crane said. "We need a little boost right now. So all the stars may be aligned here. We're hoping that it works out good for us.''
Houston will reportedly receive a hefty amount of cash to cover Verlander’s salary, according to our own Jeff Passan. It’s believed Detroit is sending at least $10 million over in the deal.
In exchange, the Tigers will receive pitcher Franklin Perez, outfielder Daz Cameron and catcher Jake Rogers.
Of that group, Perez ranks highest on Baseball America’s top-100 list. He came in at No. 39 overall on their July update. Perez, 19, ranked as the Astros’ No. 4 prospect coming into the season. Over 86 1/3 innings at two minor-league levels, Perez has a 3.44 ERA.
You may already be familiar with Cameron. He’s the son of former outfielder Mike Cameron. After struggling last season, the 20-year-old outfielder has regained some of his value with a .271/.347/.467 slash line in Class A. He entered the year as Houston’s No. 14 prospect. He did not make Baseball America’s top-100 update.
Rogers, 22, rounds out the group. He rated as the team’s No. 20 prospect coming into the year, and has hit .265/.353/.476 over two levels. While he’s regarded for his defensive tools, both his power and batting average have taken major steps forward this season.
In exchange, the Tigers will receive pitcher Franklin Perez, outfielder Daz Cameron and catcher Jake Rogers.
Of that group, Perez ranks highest on Baseball America’s top-100 list. He came in at No. 39 overall on their July update. Perez, 19, ranked as the Astros’ No. 4 prospect coming into the season. Over 86 1/3 innings at two minor-league levels, Perez has a 3.44 ERA.
You may already be familiar with Cameron. He’s the son of former outfielder Mike Cameron. After struggling last season, the 20-year-old outfielder has regained some of his value with a .271/.347/.467 slash line in Class A. He entered the year as Houston’s No. 14 prospect. He did not make Baseball America’s top-100 update.
Rogers, 22, rounds out the group. He rated as the team’s No. 20 prospect coming into the year, and has hit .265/.353/.476 over two levels. While he’s regarded for his defensive tools, both his power and batting average have taken major steps forward this season.
