Report: Tigers willing to include cash in Verlander trade

With the trade deadline inching closer, the struggling Detroit Tigers have reportedly changed their tune when it comes to potentially trading Justin Verlander.

Sources told Jon Morosi of the MLB Network on Monday that the Tigers are now open to including some cash in a deal for Verlander to offset the remainder of his contract, which is set to pay him a guaranteed $56-million over the next two seasons and potentially another $22-million as part of a 2020 vesting option.

Verlander's onerous contract has been a roadblock in trade discussions. Detroit has previously been said to be looking for a "big, big, big" return for the former AL MVP, while not retaining any of his remaining salary as part of the transaction. An earlier report from Morosi stated that the Tigers are unlikely to find a new home for the 34-year-old without eating "a large portion" of the contract.

Speculation about a potential trade of Verlander, as well as other high-priced veterans, has grown in recent days. General manager Al Avila added fuel to the fire Monday when he told the MLB Network that he expects to begin dealing shortly.

Related: Tigers GM expects deal or two to be made soon

Although it's been reported that Verlander is not being actively shopped by the Tigers, he's nonetheless been linked to at least one contending club in the Los Angeles Dodgers.

At least one other club with a dire need for starting pitching, the New York Yankees, do not appear to be interested in Verlander even if Detroit is now willing to add money into a trade, Morosi added Monday.

The 34-year-old Verlander has regressed this season after a from a second-place finish in Cy Young voting last year. Verlander owns a 4.66 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, and 103 strikeouts over 19 starts this season.