Verlander ready to get going with the Astros

Justin Verlander is introduced in Houston, three days after the Astros orchestrated a last-minute trade with Detroit to get him for their playoff run. “It came down to winning,” he said.

HOUSTON » Justin Verlander only had about 30 minutes to decide whether to accept a trade the Houston Astros.

In the end, he figured he simply couldn’t pass up a chance to join the team with the American League’s best record.

“Ultimately it came down to winning and joining an organization that is set up to win for a long time,” he said.

The right-hander was acquired from the Detroit Tigers on Aug. 31 in exchange for three minor leaguers just before the deadline for having players eligible for postseason play, and was introduced in Houston on Sept. 3.

“We’ve done a lot of work since Jim Crane bought the team in 2011 to put this team in a position to potentially bring the first championship to the city of Houston,” general manager Jeff Luhnow said. “And adding a top of the rotation-caliber pitcher, All-Star, Cy Young, MVP to our club is exactly what we need to maximize our chances of not only winning this year but potentially in the years to come.”

Verlander beamed as he donned his Astros cap, a different look for the 34-year-old after he spent his entire 13-year career playing for the Tigers. The trade came amid a difficult week for the city after Hurricane Harvey caused catastrophic flooding throughout the area.

“Hopefully we can bring a championship to a city that really could use something like that right now and hopefully I can be a part of that and we can give this city something to rally around,” Verlander said.

The addition of Verlander bolster’s an already solid rotation led by 2015 Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers.

ERIC CHRISTIAN SMITH — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Justin Verlander shakes hands with Astros manager A.J. Hinch, as General Manager Jeff Lunhow looks on Sept. 3in Houston.