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Rumor Central: Justin Verlander clears waivers

The trade deadline may have passed but Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander might still be on the move.

Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports that the right-hander has cleared waivers, making him eligible to be dealt until the end of the season.

Verlander, 34, clearing waivers comes on the heels of the pitcher's name coming up often in rumors leading up to the deadline. Last year's American League Cy Young runner-up likely cleared because of his massive contract that pays a minimum of $56 million over the next two seasons, with a vesting option that would pay $22 million in 2020 if he finishes in the top five of Cy Young voting in 2019.

Many players, especially those with big contracts, are placed on waivers during August but can be pulled back if a team claims them. Since Verlander cleared waivers, he can be traded to any team, as long as he waives 10-5 rights, by way of having more than 10 years in the majors and more than five with his current team. If he's traded, he will be postseason-eligible as long as he is on his new team's roster by September 1.

Verlander is 6-7 this season with a 4.29 ERA and 126 strikeouts for a Tigers team that looks to be heading toward a full rebuild. Though his numbers have slipped this season, Verlander remains a constant source of innings -- he has topped 200 in all but one season since 2007 and looks likely to reach that threshold again this year.

--Sam Henken

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