The trade market appears to be heating up for one name in particular.
Justin Verlander of the New York Mets is drawing trade interest from several contending teams.
Verlander has a no-trade clause, and it is unknown whether or not he will waive his no-trade clause in order to play for another team.
However, if that is the case, then there are several teams that are interested in him.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Baltimore Orioles are involved in the Verlander sweepstakes.
Morosi notes, however, that if any of these teams are unable to land the three-time Cy Young and future Hall-of-Famer, they will likely pivot to other options such as Jack Flaherty, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Michael Lorenzen.
Update on Justin Verlander:
Sources say the Astros, Dodgers, Braves, and Orioles are all involved.
The same four clubs are engaged on other rotation options; there likely will come a point today when Verlander suitors pivot and find their pitching elsewhere.@MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 1, 2023
Time is ticking.
Soon, the deadline will be upon us and trades will stop.
However, there are still several hours left, meaning there is plenty of time for a Verlander deal.
Morosi notes that the four listed teams are the ones most actively pursuing Verlander.
He helped guide the Astros to another World Series title last October before signing with the Mets.
The 40-year-old is in the first year of a two-year, $86 million contract.
That deal also includes a vesting option for 2025.
Any team trading for Verlander would get a controllable, frontline starter that could give them a chance to win in the postseason.
Whatever happens with Verlander will likely dictate the activity of the starting pitching market in the coming hours.
NEXT: MLB Insider Notes 2 Potential NL Trade Partners
