MLB insider reports that SF Giants are making Justin Verlander available in trade talks

The SF Giants have already made one notable move at the MLB trade deadline. They could look to make more, as Jon Morosi of the MLB Network reports that they are now making Justin Verlander available in trade talks.

MLB insider reports that SF Giants are making Justin Verlander available in trade talks

As Morosi notes, Verlander is on an expiring deal. He signed a one-year, $15 million pact with the Giants late in the offseason. His contract does include a full no-trade clause, but that will likely not be much of a limiting factor.

If the Giants can find a trade partner that has a need in the rotation and is competing for a playoff spot, there is a good chance that Verlander waives his no-trade clause.

However, the return would likely be minimal given the remaining cost and Verlander's performance so far. The trade would be more about giving the future Hall of Famer a chance to help a team make a playoff push.

Verlander has pitched to a 4.53 ERA in 18 starts for San Francisco this season. He began the year with 262 career wins, but that needle has barely moved. The veteran pitcher has tallied just one win in a Giants uniform. That said, he has cerainly given the Giants an opportunity to win on more than one occasion.

Moving Verlander would create a tough void in the rotation. It is not that he has been effective, but he has averaged just under five innings per start. That is enough length to not overuse the bullpen.

The Giants' rotation is already in a tough state, with Hayden Birdsong being demoted after a rough patch and Landen Roupp currently on the injured list. Logan Webb and Robbie Ray have held up the front of the rotation, but the back needs some innings, even with Verlander.

The void in the rotation would create an opportunity for someone else, whether that is giving Carson Seymour or Carson Whisenhunt a long look, or bringing Birdsong back up from Sacramento. They have some starting pitchers on the back of the 40-man roster, but many of them have little experience in the majors.

Making Verlander available in trade talks, along with the Tyler Rogers trade, does point to the Giants now focusing on 2026 and beyond. The hours and minors leading up to the trade deadline could be an exciting time for Giants fans, even if they are not looking to b