Dodgers Rumors: Justin Verlander Trade is Off the Table for LA

The future Hall of Famer is no longer an option.

It's trade deadline day and the Los Angeles Dodgers are hunting for another starting pitcher.

They acquired Lance Lynn from the Chicago White Sox last week, but fell short in getting Jordan Montgomery and Lucas Giolito in recent days, seeing them go to the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels, respectively.

And while LA was linked to New York Mets starter Justin Verlander, they couldn't bring him in either as he was dealt to the Houston Astros on Tuesday, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The Houston Astros have a deal in place to acquire ace Justin Verlander from the New York Mets, sources familiar with the agreement tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 1, 2023

In return for the righty, the Mets will receive Houston's former top prospect in outfielder Drew Gilbert -- the No. 68 overall prospect in baseball, per MLB Network Insider Mark Feinsand.

Passan later reported that New York will also receive outfielder Ryan Clifford, Houston's No. 4 prospect.

Houston will likely get money from the Mets, although the amount is unknown.

While LA was linked to Verlander, it was becoming unlikely over the past 48 hours that a deal with the Dodgers would happen.

It addition to having a potentially $35 million vesting option that would take effect in the 2025 season, when Verlander would be 42 years old, the pitcher had a full no-trade clause and a reunion with his former team was his preferred destination.

Verlander will get his wish, as he heads back to the team he played for from 2017 to 2020, making two All-Star appearances and winning a... rather tainted World Series in his first season in Houston.