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The Tigers dealt a franchise icon while the first-place Astros boosted their postseason prospects when veteran ace Justin Verlander was traded from Detroit to Houston on Thursday night. The Astros sent right-handed pitcher Franklin Perez, outfielder Daz Cameron and catcher Jake Rogers to Detroit for Verlander, a 34-year-old right-hander.
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The teams reportedly completed the deal seconds before the 11:59 ET trade deadline, meaning Verlander will be eligible for postseason play.
Verlander, who is making $28 million this season and in 2018-19 with a $22 million vesting option for 2020, has a 183-114 record with a 3.49 ERA and 2,373 strikeouts in 13 major league seasons, all with Detroit.
A six-time All-Star, Verlander was selected the AL Most Valuable Player and unanimously voted the AL Cy Young Award winner in 2011. He was also named the AL Rookie of the Year in 2006.
"We get him for two more years on his contract," Astros owner Jim Crane told Fox 26. "We got a really good team intact for the next few years. We think it's a big boost for the team and the city. We're excited about it. We're always trying to improve the team. It's like a Carlos Beltran. (Verlander) can add a dimension we don't have. We're trying to win. If we get a shot to win, we're going to lean in."
This season, Verlander is 10-8 with a 3.82 ERA and 176 strikeouts.
"On behalf of the Detroit Tigers, we sincerely thank Justin Verlander for his remarkable 13 seasons of dedication to the organization," Tigers general manager Al Avila said. "Justin has been the face of consistency over the course of his career, and a pillar for baseball in the City of Detroit. He is someone who I believe to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. We wish Justin all the best as he starts a new chapter in his illustrious career. ...
"We're thrilled to get three great prospects from one of the highest ranked farm systems in baseball. All three players are outstanding athletes, and they greatly bolster our minor league system."
Perez, 19, is ranked as the 32nd-best prospect in baseball and the second-best prospect in the Astros organization according to Baseball America and the 46th-best prospect in baseball and the third-best prospect in the Houston system by MLB Pipeline.
"Perez was the headliner for us, cementing himself as a dominant force in each of his three years in professional baseball," Avila said.
Cameron, 20, is rated as the ninth-best prospect in the Astros organization by MLB Pipeline. The center fielder has spent the entire 2017 season with Class A Quad Cities and is hitting .271 with 79 runs, 29 doubles, eight triples, 14 home runs, 73 RBIs and 32 stolen bases.
He is the son of former major-league Mike Cameron.
"Daz Cameron is someone that we view as one of the highest-ceiling players in the minors," Avila said. "Cameron is a guy that slipped in the draft because of signability concerns, but has always shown flashes of his dad's play."
Rogers, 22, is ranked as the 11th-best prospect in the Astros system by MLB Pipeline. In his first full season in professional baseball, Rogers has played in 110 games in Class A ball, hitting .263 with 60 runs, 25 doubles, four triples, 18 home runs and 70 RBIs.
"Rogers plays beyond his years, demonstrating solid pop in his bat while having above average plate discipline, and our scouts have him rated as a reliable receiver behind the plate with an above average arm," Avila said.
