Whoa. Who saw that coming? But in a way, it makes sense. The Detroit Tigers have officially waved the white flag of surrender on this season. Not that it was any big surprise, given they're the second worst (barely) team in the American League and have been woefully out of any playoff scenario for quite some time.
Conversely, the Houston Astros, Verlander's new home, are in a "go for it now" mode. This is something the Tigers did not long ago, pillaging their farm system for free agent mercenaries, that have since come and gone. They never did quite make it over the top. Thirty three years and counting since the Motowners last won a World Series, and it certainly appears they're in full-blown rebuild mode now.
True, Houston is literally under water now in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, but it is also one of the fastest growing cities in the country, with money coming out of their ears. Detroit has been shrinking in population, recently went through bankruptcy proceedings, and is hardly a place most out-of-towners would rank high on their "must see" tourism lists.
Yet it is somewhat surprising the Astros would be willing to pick up Verlander's albatross contract when he is an aging pitcher clearly on the back side of his bell curve.
Note to Tiger fans. Miguel Cabrera might well be the next to go. Yes, his fabulous Triple Crown season of not long ago has disappeared in the rear view mirror, but some other team might take a flyer on him and his equally ridiculous contract, hoping he can bounce back and have another decent year or two left in him. But there's no question his production, and day to day health have dramatically declined in the last couple years.
One of the few good hitters the Tigers had, J.D. Martinez, was already dealt for "prospects". As was catcher Alex Avila, who was experiencing the best season of his career. An anomaly perhaps. Yet it should be noted that two of the "hot-shot prospects" the Tigers got in return are potential third basemen.
This does not bode well for one Nick Castellanos, their current starter at that position. Never much with the glove, NC is typically a .240 or so hitter, without much speed. A journeyman at best. His days in Detroit would seem numbered as well.
Last year's American League Rookie of the Year, Tiger pitcher Michael Fulmer, hasn't won a game in two months.
Second baseman Ian Kinsler, also with a whopper contract, has seen age quickly erode his stats as well.
Would anybody else be interested in any of these guys?
Hard to say.
But Justin Verlander, the former Fastball Flakes man, whose entire career to date has been spent in Detroit -- is there no longer.
No doubt Tiger fans will miss him.
But hey, JV now has a legitimate shot at winning a championship with the up and coming Astros. They're young, loaded with talent from top to bottom, and look to remain highly competitive for years to come. The exact opposite of what has happened with the Tigers.
It was no secret they were slip-sliding away and their future looked bleak.
It just got a whole lot bleaker without Kate's old man.
Oh yeah, these guys could be bad, REALLY bad for a few years, before and if they turn it around. And given so many other teams have been infinitely wiser in recent years with their rosters, salaries, and farm systems, very painful times may linger in Tiger-land for quite a while.
See ya, JV. You were a stud there for a while. A couple no-hitters, MVP, Cy Young Award, and all that. But of late, you've barely been a .500 pitcher in Detroit. Great one game, bombed the next.
You're in a better place now.
Or will be, as soon as all that dad-burned flood water finally goes away.
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