Written by ESPN News Service at ESPN.com
With the trade deadline a day away, Justin Verlander considers himself in a win-win situation, as he wouldn’t mind staying with the Detroit Tigers and has control over which teams can acquire him.
Verlander pitched six scoreless innings Sunday against the Houston Astros in what could be his last start for the Tigers.
Asked afterward if he considers himself in a win-win situation, he said: “that’s probably a good assessment.”
“I guess that makes it easier for me personally. I definitely would not be upset about staying here in Detroit, and again, because I control my own destiny, it wouldn’t be somewhere I don’t want to go [if a trade happens],” he said.
Verlander has a full no-trade clause in his contract, which runs through 2020. His salary is $28 million this season and for each of the next two seasons. In 2020, his salary is $22 million.
Verlander got the win, improving to 6-7, as the Tigers defeated the Astros 13-1. Verlander gave up five singles and three walks while striking out six. When he left the mound, he tipped his cap to the fans in the stands, who gave him a long standing ovation.
