The Justin Verlander sweepstakes are heating up.
We are now just hours away from the official trade deadline, meaning that teams are frantically making the final preparations to make trades and improve their Major League roster or their farm system.
There are several teams who are in on the three-time Cy Young Award winner.
According to Jon Heyman, a mystery team has been revealed.
That team is the San Diego Padres.
Verlander has a no-trade clause and will have to approve any potential trade before it officially goes through.
Heyman reported the news of the Padres emerging in the sweepstakes on Twitter.
One mystery team on Justin Verlander has been uncovered: the San Diego Padres
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 1, 2023
Not long ago, it appeared as if the Padres would end up selling at the trade deadline.
However, they have won six of their last 10 games and have gained significant ground in the Wild Card race.
Though they sit in fourth place in the NL West, they are now just five games back of the third and final Wild Card spot, owning a record of 52-55.
San Diego already has Yu Darvish, Blake Snell, and Joe Musgrove in their rotation.
Musgrove and Verlander were teammates in 2017 when they won a World Series title with the Houston Astros.
Verlander would give them yet another experienced postseason starter, and somebody that profiles as a top-of-the-rotation pitcher.
The Padres got off to a tough start this season, but slowly appear to be regaining their footing and picking up some momentum.
We’ll see if they can ultimately swing a deal for Verlander in the next few hours.
NEXT: MLB Insider Reveals Major Justin Verlander Trade Deadline Update
