Following a 2016 season in which the Detroit Tigers fell flat on their faces and failed to make the playoffs, general manager Al Avila announced to everyone who would listen that “changes were coming.” Avila made it pretty clear the Tigers would be looking to cut payroll and even the biggest names players could be dealt.
As we know now, the cutting of payroll did not happen, unless you count the Cameron Maybin trade to the Angels, and it looks like the band will be back for another run at it in 2017.
On Friday, Justin Verlander joined MLB Network Radio and talked about the rumors that his name had been brought up in trade scenarios this offseason.
JV to @MLBNetworkRadio on trade rumors: “It was interesting hearing about it. That gets your wheels spinning a little bit. I love Detroit.”
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 13, 2017
In order for the Tigers to deal Verlander, he would have to waive the no-trade clause he has in his current contract. JV talked about how he would have to weigh his options if that scenario ever developed.
JV: “I would have to weigh a lot of things. We want to win. And Mr. Ilitch has done a great job putting a great product on the field.”
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 13, 2017
Verlander also added that he was happy the nucleus of the team would back this coming season, noting that with a healthy Jordan Zimmermann, things may have been very different.
Justin Verlander told @MLBNetworkRadio today that he’s glad #Tigers stayed mostly intact: “I’m too old to be part of a rebuilding process.”
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 13, 2017
JV: “Zim being healthy makes a huge difference. If he’d have been healthy all year, I’d take our chances we would’ve made [the playoffs].”
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 13, 2017
Listen to the full interview:
https://soundcloud.com/mlbnetworkradio/tigers-sp-justin-verlander-talks-about-detroits-off-season-on-mlb-network-radio
