Report: Astros, Tigers discussing Verlander trade

The Houston Astros' pitching struggles in August could lead the front office to make a major blockbuster trade to bolster the rotation.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander has long been linked to the Astros, and the two sides are reportedly discussing a deal that would send the six-time All-Star to the Space City, sources told Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports.

Verlander has already cleared revocable waivers and is eligible to be traded, but as Heyman points out, working out a deal involves plenty of obstacles.

The 34-year-old, who can block a trade to any team, is owed $28 million in each of the next two seasons, and has a $22 million vesting option for 2020 should he finish in the top five of AL Cy Young voting the previous season. Heyman reports that the Tigers are willing to absorb some of the remaining money left on Verlander's deal depending on the type of prospects in return, though there's still a gap between the two sides.

While Verlander isn't having the same success this season as he did when he finished second in Cy Young voting in 2016, he's still put together a strong year. Through 24 starts, Verlander is 8-7 with a 3.97 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 142 strikeouts in 145 innings. He's posted a 1.91 ERA over his last seven appearances, holding opponents to a .187/.258/.327 slash line.

The Astros were the best team in the AL over the first four months of the season, but have hit a wall in August, going 3-10 with a minus-16 run differential. Houston's starters own a 6.32 ERA over their last 13 games, and Lance McCullers resides on the disabled list with a back injury.