After expressing displeasure last month, Dallas Keuchel giddy today about acquiring Justin Verlander. Dallas Keuchel thrilled #Astros got Justin Verlander Verlander says accepting Astros trade was a tough, but he is "excited to be part of a ballclub that has a chance to win." Carlos Correa says he broke his video game remote he was so excited when he heard the news about Verlander AJ Hinch says Justin Verlander told him, while chatting in the dugout yesterday, in 13 years he never pitched around a hitter. Jeff Luhnow says he and his franchise did not allow the criticism they received for not making a major trade in July affect what they were doing Jeff Luhnow: "We are in full go-for-it mode." Justin Verlander was getting "goose bumps" while talking about the reaction from #Astros fans yesterday Justin Verlander excited to be with the Astros Justin Verlander says his difficult decision came down to winning The anatomy of the Justin Verlander trade: How Tigers-Astros final hour deal went down ... The Cubs, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, was his preferred choice. But with a farm system that has significantly thinned out over the past season, their late interest was not thought of as a real possibility. The decision was not easy. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Friday afternoon it seemed “excruciating” after speaking with him. Verlander had questions about Houston and its band-box ballpark and, presented with only a small window to make the biggest decision of his life, sought out those answers in conversations with Astros owner Jim Crane and manager A.J. Hinch, who is said to have alleviated any concerns over the uncertainty. Verlander never rejected the deal, according to multiple persons with knowledge of the situation. To that point, with less than a half hour remaining on the clock, both teams already had their plans in place: Medical reports on Verlander and the three highly regarded prospects the Tigers received had been exchanged. If they had not been, the deal would have been impossible to complete in such a short time. From a negotiation perspective, the Tigers were waiting for the Astros to add a third player to the deal and meet their financial demands. For so long, the Astros wanted the Tigers to pay an amount they were not comfortable with, not for a player of Verlander’s stature. After Verlander spoke with Crain and Hinch, he called Avila back and accepted a trade that will go down among the biggest in Tigers history. The baseball operations officials left their car shortly thereafter and got their signature, photographing the document and e-mailing it to the commissioner’s office before Verlander verbally agreed to the deal on a three-way call with the commissioner’s office.
Really interesting to see how Luhnow went from a guy who couldn't get any sort of deadline deal done... to executing one of the more complicated last-second deals in deadline (waiver or non-waiver) history. Can't really question his abilities to pull of deals much anymore. Between the off-season ones (Giles, Gattis) to the 2015 ones (Kazmir, Gomez) to Verlander... he's now fully entrenched as a MLB war-time GM.
I figured MMP's reputation played a role in him not wanting to come here. It was a hitters park for 2 seasons, and it will never escape that rep despite consistently playing as one of the fairest parks in baseball. All anybody sees is 315.
I have to imagine his former manager... who was one of the original braintrust (with Oswalt) in learning how to properly pitch here... could possibly reassure him.
he's been one of the best pitchers post all star game and the best pitcher that has been traded in my opinion, though he has given up quite the few homers, 11. 8 of those 11 given were away from Detroit.
I worked before, during and after this hurricane, so I think my job is pretty secure. Thanks for your care.
Awesome story on Verlander and how excited the Astros players are over this trade. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...36001/&usg=AFQjCNFB0x3WuB08tFroHEJsgTkXMloFpQ
DO you guys think we gave up a lot for an old guy Like verlander who is 34 years old turning 35 and is almost past his prime since 2011 when he won the Cy Young? He's a great pitcher in all but do you guys think it was worth it and does he really have enough left in the tank?
Yes, a World Series ring is a powerful motivator for someone who has everything but. It may not work out but the move is sound.
Verlander doesn't classify like most pitchers. Think about this: Randy Johnson was 34 when we traded for him in 1998, and we thought he was too old and had back concerns so we didn't re-sign him. The next four years for Arizona turned out to be the best of his career. Verlander is likewise another big man (6'5) who has always been a horse capable of throwing 120 pitches every fifth day, with nary an injury blemish on his record. His FB still averages 95mph which is in the top ten in the majors. Big men like in basketball take a little longer to blossom: if you attribute the first half dominance of Verlander to his undeniable stuff, then you can attribute his resurgence the past two years to learning how to pitch. Based on history, you can expect this second run of quality performance to last well into his late 30's. And unlike Randy, he's not a rental. Astros scored a coup here.
They also didn't get rid of their two main prospects who should be here next season to help the team. Verlander can also hit 98+ when he needs it in the late innings.
