One of the best pitchers of this era has been rumored to be somewhat available, and the Chicago Cubs have been rumored to be a likely landing spot. Well after some reports out of Detroit, the Cubs are very much interested in Justin Verlander.
Justin, the owner of a career 3.53 ERA and 1.198 WHIP, has drawn some interest from the Cubs.
#Cubs had a scout in attendance Sunday in Detroit, when Verlander gave up 7 earned runs in 3-1/3 innings. @MLBNetwork @MLB #Tigers
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 4, 2017
Not only had the Cubs sent a scout to a recent game, they have also asked about his availability, and catcher Alex Avila, according to Jon.
#Cubs inquired to #Tigers on availability of Justin Verlander and Alex Avila, sources say, but sides have not engaged in trade negotiations.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 4, 2017
This makes total sense for the Cubs. Verlander, who has had a rough season following a season in which he should have won the AL Cy Young Award, (right Kate?), is still a very dominant pitcher in this game when right. Seemingly the biggest issue for him right now is his walk rate (4.3), which is nearly double that of his career averages (2.3).
Justin, especially if right, would fix some of the Cubs future pitching questions. A solid postseason performer, albeit not in the World Series, Justin could give the team some much-needed flexibility in their staff for the next two seasons. There is a question of his pay, which he will be owed $28 million in each of the next two seasons, and there is a $22 million vesting option for 2019.
Alex Avila gives the Cubs a solid backup catcher. While he seems to be out in front of his skis a bit offensively this year, defensively he’s been able to cut down a respectable 36% of would-be base-stealers. Also helpful, he comes with both a catcher’s and first baseman’s mitt and could spell Anthony Rizzo ever now-and-again.
Avila would receive a prorated $2 million if the Cubs dealt for him, which is very manageable. It is Justin’s salary which would be a much more difficult pill to swallow.
One would still assume Eloy “The Natural” Jimenez is the biggest name that would be dealt, but would the Cubs need to sweeten the pot if they wanted Detroit to eat some of Verlander’s salary? Would a deal need to include someone like Ian Happ?
I mean, Detroit’s system is void of big prospects, and the first on the MLB Top 100 is Matt Manning at number 61. The Tigers front office will certainly look at trading Verlander as a way to dramatically improve their system. Happ and Jimenez would do just that.
Of course, I can already hear fans saying now – trade Schwarber, he should be a DH anyway, and some bellowing for not trading one of the Cubs hottest hitters in Happ. I hear ya, but I would still be incredibly surprised if Schwarber is traded and that they would deal him over Ian.
This is really just the start of the trade deadline, be sure either get excited or for some, hunker down in your bunker while rumors start flying.
