Astros get star
Prospects Perez, Cameron, Rogers traded to Tigers for former MVP, Cy Young winner
The Astros acquire former MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander from Detroit in a blockbuster trade.
In the type of blockbuster trade rarely seen in August, the Astros acquired former American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander from the Detroit Tigers and cemented their status as favorites in the American League.
The stunning deal, consummated just before Thursday’s 10:59 p.m. deadline for a player to be eligible for his new team’s postseason roster, gives the Astros another ace to pair with Dallas Keuchel atop their rotation.
Verlander had to waive his notrade rights to complete the deal. Franklin Perez, arguably the Astros’ best pitching prospect and undoubtedly one of their best two, headlines the package going to the Tigers. Outfielder Daz Cameron and catcher Jake Rogers will also go to Detroit.
The Astros also will receive either cash considerations from the Tigers or a player to be named. Astros update Thursday: Astros 5, Rangers 1. Record: 80-53. Saturday: vs. New York Mets, 1:10 p.m. and 7:10 p.m. Starting pitchers: Charlie Morton (10-6) vs. Matt Harvey (4-3); Brad Peacock (10-2) vs. Seth Lugo (5-3). TV/radio: ATTSW; 790 AM, 94.1 FM (Spanish).
Verlander, 34, is under contract for two more seasons after this one at $28 million per year.
The 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner and last year’s Cy Young runner-up, Verlander has
10-8 record and a 3.82 ERA in 28 starts this season but a 2.41 in 10 starts since the AllStar break. The righthander last pitched Wednesday at Colorado, so he won’t make his Astros debut until next week.
The addition of Verlander fortifies a rotation that ranks 10th in the majors in ERA (4.15) and 15th in innings pitched (738).
“He adds a boost to our rotation,” Astros owner Jim Crane told the Associated Press. “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.
“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.”
The Tigers are the only team Verlander has known. In 13 seasons with Detroit, he went 183-114 with a 3.49 ERA and 2,373 strikeouts. He was AL Rookie of the Year in 2006, when the Tigers got to the World Series before losing to the St. Louis Cardinals, and got back to the Fall Classic in 2012, when Detroit fell to the San Francisco Giants.
“On behalf of the Detroit Tigers, we sincerely thank Justin Verlander for his remarkable 13 seasons of dedication to the organization,” Tigers general manager Al Avila said in a statement. “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.”
In his award-winning season of 2011, Verlander claimed an American League Triple Crown with 24 victories (against five losses), a 2.40 ERA and 250 strikeouts.
A durable starter, he has led the league in K’s four times and is on track to throw 200 innings for the 10th time in the last 11 seasons. With two more starts, he will have reached 30 for the same number of times in that span.
He has thrown two nohitters, in 2007 and 2011.
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