UPDATE (1:10 a.m.): Justin Verlander officially is a member of the Houston Astros.
The Astros confirmed early Friday morning they have acquired the right-handed ace from the Detroit Tigers. Houston sent outfielder Daz Cameron, right-handed pitcher Franklin Perez and catcher Jake Rogers to the Tigers in the deal.
Verlander is signed through the 2019 season with a vesting option for 2020 if he finishes among the top five in Cy Young voting in 2019. He’s owed $56 million over the 2018 and 2019 seasons, and Detroit reportedly will pay $8 million of that per season to offset the costs, according to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale.
ORIGINAL STORY: Justin Verlander is on the move.
The former Detroit Tigers Cy Young Award and MVP winner has been traded to the Houston Astros, according to multiple reports.
The deal, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, happened with only a minute to spare before the Aug. 31 trade deadline wrapped up. The Tigers will receive pitching prospect Franklin Perez, outfield prospect Daz Cameron and catcher Jake Rogers from the Astros, according to Heyman.
There were reports earlier in the night that Verlander had vetoed a trade to the Astros, but something appears to have changed.
Regardless, this gives Houston another a right-handed starter to help it down the stretch and (likely) in the playoffs. Verlander has a 10-8 record with a 3.82 ERA in 28 starts this season.
Thumbnail photo via Isaiah J. Downing/USA TODAY Sports Images
