Justin Verlander (File photo)
Justin Verlander (File photo)
When news of the Justin Verlander trade to Houston flashed on the TV at the Woodbridge Pub on Trumbull in Detroit late Thursday night, a woman fell to her knees and bemoaned the transaction.
Some others at the neighborhood pub felt the the same.
Verlander, the heart and soul of the Detroit Tigers, who made his Major League debut on July 4, 2005 for the team, and went 17-9 in his first full season, is off to play for the Houstson Astros, who have the best record in the American League. Houston hopes Verlander's presence will only up the chances of the team taking the World Series title.
The Houston Chronicle, which has been busy covering the devastating Hurricane Harvey, carved out a spot at the top of its website to acknowledge the trade, writing:
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, an industry source confirmed to the Chronicle.
The stunning deal, consummated just before Thursday's 11:59 p.m. ET deadline for a player to be eligible for his new team's postseason roster, cements the Astros' status as the favorites in the American League.
Verlander had to waive his no-trade rights to complete the trade. 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 the Tigers in the deal.
Verlander, 34, is under contract for two more seasons after this one at $28 million per year. The Tigers likely included money in the deal to better the prospect package they received in return.
Indelible memories of the pitcher's glory years in Detroit include these no-hitters against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 12, 2007 and the Toronto Blue Jays on May 7, 2011: