Tigers likely to make beloved pitcher available for trade unless they get sentimental

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

Tigers likely to make beloved pitcher available for trade unless they get sentimental originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Detroit Tigers are not having a good 2026 season, even with some recent June wins instilling some confidence in the franchise.

Unless things drastically turn around, the club is likely to be trade deadline sellers this August. If they do sell, Tarik Skubal is someone who's almost surely on the move for a huge return.

But Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report identified another pitcher, beloved veteran Justin Verlander, as someone the Tigers are likely to make available for trade unless they start feeling sentimental about trading the future Hall of Famer.

Tigers likely to open trade talks on Justin Verlander​

"Availability Meter: 8.2 out of 10. ...That includes Justin Verlander, unless they're feeling too sentimental about parting with the long-lost son who returned after nearly a decade away," Miller writes. "However, if they can save a few million bucks, trading him away for a second time shouldn't be a problem."

Moving on from Verlander this season would be a massive disappointment for the Tigers. He, along with Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, and Framber Valdez, were meant to form what could've easily been the best rotation in MLB.

But, with injuries to Skubal, Verlander, and Mize, along with Valdez and Flaherty having their own issues this year, it's been a bit of a nightmare for this dream rotation.

If the Tigers are sellers at the deadline, Miller believes Verlander is someone the club could trade away. However, that would be incredibly disappointing, likely more so than trading Skubal.

MORE: Tarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agency

At least in Skubal's case, trading him could bring back a massive return that would help set the team up for immense success in the future.

Verlander, the 43-year-old veteran who might retire after the 2026 season, is not someone who would bring back much, if anything, at the trade deadline.

He's currently on the injured list and working his way back to the MLB rotation. So, teams might not even have any interest in the beloved Tigers ace.

Miller believes the Tigers would consider trading Verlander this summer, which would be a lot more disappointing than if they traded any other pitcher, as Verlander's long-awaited return might be incredibly disappointing if he's dealt.

More MLB news:​

• 5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for Cardinals
• Ex-MLB GM projects White Sox to sell at trade deadline despite 2026 success
• Cubs’ cost to trade for Tarik Skubal from Tigers revealed by ex-MLB GM
• Yankees’ Ryan McMahon problem has a $25 million release solution
• Phillies extending Cristopher Sanchez to his $107 million deal was genius

Continue reading...