Honestly, it was worth going after Verlander BEFORE all the question marks. Now it's almost imperative.
Even if everyone was perfectly healthy and playing at their best in 3 weeks, there would still be room on this roster for Verlander. It seems like any of these guys could go down at any time, more quality people around the better. We apparently also have a number of guys who were emotionally distraught after the trade deadline. Or at least that's how it comes off. Verlander would probably make them feel better.
The one thing in our favor here is that Verlander's starts in August (and early September) are essentially value-less for us. Completely different than if we were trying to win the division. Luhnow made comments about the benefits of a few extra Scott Kazmir starts when we acquired him well ahead of the deadline. I'm hoping this is just the reverse of this playing out, and we'll heat discussions up in late August if McCullers and Keuchel still aren't right (which feels more like a when).
Thinking like this is really going to hurt in retrospect when we go into the final series vs. Boston up by 2 games. (Not calling you out specifically, just that I think this is the general thought process by many people. Meanwhile Boston has shaved off 6 games in a week and a half.)
I just keep telling myself that we also probably added 6 games to our lead in a week and half when we had our 10-game streak earlier this year. Ebbs and flows...ebbs and flows. (fingers crossed)
We need to play better, period. But in your scenario, in a perfect world where Verlander is acquired, they shave off 4 games instead of 2. Maybe that'll be the difference, but if the Astros play like a 3-7 team instead of the 7-3 team they've been most of the season, Verlander (or Sale or Mike Trout) doesn't matter.
Don't look now but the division lead is closer to 10 than it is 20. Teams have blown bigger leads than this at this point.
Don't blow the opportunity we have with them botching the double play. They are wanting to gift us runs. Take them.
Sox broadcast said Marwin walked straight to the dugout on his pop up. Fielder probably catches it, but......
