The Time Has Come. Trade Verlander Now!

Tiger fans everywhere would laugh at even the thought of trading Verlander.  Yes, he is an amazing talent and yes, he's having a tremendous season finally reaching his potential and dominating good hitters game after game.  But the question the Tigers need to ask themselves is this. If we aren't going to be able to build around him by signing other high priced free agents, then what would be the point of signing him to a pricey long term contract?

It looks like the Tigers can hold onto Verlander for another 2 seasons or so by simply negotiating and/or using arbitration to get him signed. That, they can financially handle and unfortunately will most likely go that route. The problem with that is that NOW is the time to trade Verlander, this winter being the absolute latest I would wait. He's going to be in contention for the cy young award. He's having a tremendous season on a club that can't hit a baseball and makes mental mistakes behind him day in and day out.  Yet still, he's up there with the best of them statistically. He's only 26 years old and with the exception of last year, his era as a full time starter has been excellent with era's of 3.63, 3.66 and this years 3.34 being his best yet. 

Look, I get it ! Verlander is a tremendous talent and I would love nothing better then to see him stay under normal circumstances. But the reality of the situation is that the Tigers are more of a small market team paying medium to big market money and that won't last for long.  They simply can't afford to spend like others can, especially since Dombrowski failed in the only attempt Ilitch made to buy a contender when almost everybody that was signed ended up on the disabled list and hasn't been the same since.

Take a look at the list of baseball's top 100 prospects and you'll struggle to find even one Tigers prospect anywhere.  Teams would be willing to give up top prospects for Verlander for a couple of reasons. One, he's a tremendous talent that anybody would want on their ball club. And just as important is they would have 2 seasons at a cost most teams can easily afford before having to worry about free agency. Simply put, they would be guaranteed to get 2 years out of him with the possibility of signing him to an extension.  As long as he stays healthy they also always have the ability to trade him if they can't sign him to recoup some of their losses, just as the Tigers should do now.

What happens if the Tigers wait too long? His value will decrease the closer he comes to free agency and there will be less of a chance Verlander signs an extension with the Tigers.  Verlander has gone public stating he's willing to talk about an extension right now and willing to stay, but will he feel the same way in 1 or 2 years?  He can protect himself against a serious injury now and guarantee himself millions but the closer he comes to free agency the less the risk. So if the Tigers wait, why wouldn't he decline at that time and entertain offers from the big market teams?

It's time to make the big move. If the Tigers don't then I can almost promise you they'll regret it and end up with nothing more then compensatory draft picks, hardly equal or fair value for a pitcher of his talents.  Don't make the mistake many others make Tigers. Get it done... NOW !