Dodgers Rumors: Insider Suggests Blockbuster Trade for Mets' Cy Young Pitcher

Would the veteran make sense for LA?

With the trade deadline quickly approaching, the Dodgers are going to be linked to all sorts of players. They have some real needs on the team, especially in the pitching department so LA will be looking all around the league for help. Many believe that this deadline could be slower than in years past due to the expanded playoffs and more teams wanting to be buyers rather than sellers. 

But with a few weeks still to go, teams will have to decide what route they want to go. There have been many similar names linked to LA but MLB insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic recently named New York Mets right-handed Justin Verlander as an option for the Dodgers. New York beat out the Dodgers in a big to sign Verlander this past offseason so hearing his name as a trade option is interesting for sure.

"The Dodgers need another starting pitcher if they’re going to overtake the Diamondbacks and Giants and hold off the Padres in the NL West. As long as Justin Verlander (4.50 ERA, 1.212 WHIP in nine starts) pitches better over the next month or so, he should still have significant trade value, especially since he’s under team control through 2024 (with a vesting option for 2025)."

Per The Athletic

Adding Verlander to the mix would make some sense for the team as they do need help with their rotation. But taking on his large salary would be going against everything they have signaled over the last year. Verlander also hasn't performed well during his time with the Mets and that is cause for concern.

He started the year out on the injured list but since returning the 40-year-old has looked like a shell of himself. Verlander has an ERA of 4.50 in nine games and only has 44 strikeouts over 52 innings of work. New York never really knows what to expect from their veteran pitcher when he take the mound and he is part of the reason as to why they have struggled this season.

LA would be better off going for a different option to help bolster the rotation. They should let the Mets live with their decision to sign the right-hander to all that money last winter and hang up the phone if New York were to come calling. Verlander signed a two-year deal, worth $86.7 million that includes a $35 million vesting option for 2025. 

The Dodgers have their sights on bigger fish, aka Shohei Ohtani, this coming offseason and taking on the salary of Verlander could hinder that a bit. By not signing Verlander this offseason, LA dodged a bullet and they shouldn't take on any risk that comes from this contract or his performances this season.