The Tigers traded P Justin Verlander to the Astros shortly before Thursday night's waiver trade deadline, a sign the team is "fully embracing" a rebuilding effort, according to Anthony Fenech of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. Thursday's trades of Verlander and LF Justin Upton to the Angels means the Tigers are "nearly unrecognizable." By dealing Verlander, the Tigers have "effectively turned the page on an era that began" with their World Series appearance in '06 (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 9/1). In Detroit, Chris McCosky notes the Tigers on Thursday "lopped $170 million off their payroll" for future years, and the team is "expected to be under the luxury tax threshold for the first time in two years." The two biggest contracts for the team next season will be 1B Miguel Cabrera ($30M) and DH Victor Martinez ($18M) (DETROIT NEWS, 9/1). Also in Detroit, Lynn Henning notes Tigers Exec VP/Baseball Operations & GM Al Avila has been "obliged to pare down his old, aging team, with its bad contracts tied to a previous go-for-broke mission overseen by late Owner Mike Ilitch." Avila earlier this summer traded RF J.D. Martinez, P Justin Wilson and C Alex Avila, but Thursday was the day Comerica Park was "rocked" (DETROIT NEWS, 9/1).
TIME FOR CHANGE: The FREE PRESS' Fenech writes the trades create some "serious salary relief" and mark the Tigers' "biggest step into a full-scale rebuild, which they have avoided for so long." The team "couldn't keep toeing the line between rebuilding and competing any longer." The process "should have started two seasons ago, but the allure of winning with the group of talented veterans was too much." The "name-brand recognition of the team will have disappeared by next season," but that is "for the better" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 9/1). USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale writes the franchise is "waving the white flag." The Tigers for the past decade have "gone for it, spending money outside their means, trying to win a World Series" for Ilitch (USA TODAY, 9/1). MLB Network's Jon Paul Morosi noted he talked to a Tigers official on Thursday and the "word ‘rebuild’ was used openly for the first time in a while." Morosi: "They had sort of been coy about calling it that for a while. But now, there is no illusion left. This team is rebuilding right now" ("MLB Whiparound," MLB Network, 8/31). More Morosi: "This really is a capital 'R' rebuild going on right now" ("MLB Central," MLB Network, 9/1). In Michigan, Brendan Savage noted Avila earlier in the week sent a letter to season-ticket holders detailing that the Tigers are "transitioning into a new era, one that will focus on 'home grown' talent as the team invests more in player development." He also stated that the club will "continue to focus on providing an entertaining experience for fans" and that there will be "more incentives for season-ticket holders" in '18 (MLIVE.com, 8/31).
LOOKING TO OCTOBER: THE ATHLETIC's Ken Rosenthal writes Astros Owner Jim Crane and GM Jeff Luhnow "went above and beyond" to complete the Verlander deal. A source said that the team already is "facing payroll concerns." The Astros are in the $130M range this season, a franchise record, and "salary increases and arbitration raises might push that number higher next year" (THEATHLETIC.com, 9/1). THE RINGER's Zach Kram notes Verlander represents the Astros' "greatest win-now move in recent memory -- a literal last-minute gamble designed only with the playoffs in mind" (THERINGER.com, 9/1). YAHOO SPORTS' Jeff Passan notes the Astros return to Minute Maid Park for this weekend's series against the Mets and "hope to bring the slightest semblance of normalcy to an area that won't see it for weeks, months, years" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 9/1).
