:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55870243/683096084.1500981622.jpg)
The Detroit Tigers played another long game on Monday, dropping the first in their series with Kansas City in 12 innings. Back-to-back home runs by the Royals off recently recalled reliever Drew VerHagen put K.C. up 5-3, and that’s where the score would remain as Kelvin Herrera shut the door.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8904787/805728210.jpg)
It wasn’t just a tough night because of the loss. It also could’ve been the last time we see Justin Verlander on the mound for the Tigers. This sobering fact put the team in a reflective mood after the game. With the deadline closing in, trade rumors involving Justin Verlander have been re-ignited. Ashley gives us a full timeline of the various trade rumors surrounding Justin Verlander thus far.
Verlander isn’t the only one on the trade block, though. There are rumors that the Tigers are trying to dump Ian Kinsler’s salary. One such rumor pairs Kinsler with current closer Justin Wilson, who has also been mentioned in rumors in recent weeks. Rob explains why that theoretical deal is a bad idea for the Tigers.
Other Tigers news
A sore quadriceps and an injured groin will keep Daniel Norris out of action for a bit longer as he left his rehab start on Sunday with groin tightness. After being acquired from Arizona in the trade for J.D. Martinez, third basemen Dawel Lugo, the Tigers’ new No. 11 prospect, made MLB’s Prospect Team of the Week.
MLB Pipeline has also released their midseason top 100 prospects list. It features three pitchers in the Tigers organization, including recently drafted righthander Alex Faedo, who landed 78th out of the top 100.
Elsewhere in baseball
After a slump that began upon returning from the All-Star break, Giancarlo Stanton looks to be heating up again as he crushed two home runs in a Miami Marlins victory over the Texas Rangers on Monday. Stanton wasn’t the only slugger with a two homer evening. Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana also hit a pair of round-trippers as the Indians defeated their in-state rival Cincinnati Reds.
New York Mets starter Jacob deGrom has been a bright spot in an otherwise tough season of pitching for the Mets. He just won his eighth straight start after pitching eight innings while only allowing two runs.
Texas Rangers’ ace Yu Darvish has been mentioned in a few trade rumors recently with the starting pitching market heating up as the trade deadline nears. However, sources close to the situation say the Rangers are leaning toward keeping Darvish. Many of these rumors have been invigorated by an injury to Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, who could be out for six weeks with a back injury. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts refused to give a timetable. Our friends at SB Nation have been keeping track of all trade rumors, which you can find here.
As for trades that already happened...
The Minnesota Twins sealed a deal with the Atlanta Braves in which they acquired starting pitcher Jaime Garcia along with another player. The Twins weren’t the only AL Central team making moves on Monday. The Kansas City Royals agreed to a deal with the San Diego Padres which sent three pitchers, Trevor Cahill, Brandon Mauer, and Ryan Buchter, to the Royals for Matt Strahm, Travis Wood and a minor league infielder.
J.D. Martinez absolutely crushes his first homer with the Diamondbacks last night
Allow @JDMartinez14 to introduce himself. #OurSeason pic.twitter.com/2AINAvwwpt
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 25, 2017