Dodgers Rumors: LA Exploring Justin Verlander as Trade Option

The Dodgers are hoping to add one more starting pitcher before the trade deadline.

With two sleeps until the 3 PM PT trade deadline cutoff, the Dodgers are continuing to assess roster needs. Yes, the front office has already added position players Kiké Hernandez and Amed Rosario along with pitchers Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly. But, the club is reportedly seeking one more starting pitcher before calling the deadline a wrap.

One name that continues to be linked to LA is Mets veteran Justin Verlander. The Dodgers were in on the three time Cy Young award winner this past offseason before he inked a lucrative $87 million deal. Now they could be working to add him to a rotation that would also feature a healthy Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin, Lance Lynn, and an assortment of rookies headlined by Bobby Miller.

The Mets signaled their 2023 fire sale earlier this week when the club traded closer David Robertson to the Marlins. A few days later, Max Scherzer was shipped to the Rangers. And now all eyes are on Verlander, the top pitcher available on the trade market.

Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Times labeled Verlander as LA's "top prize" at the deadline and reported that the team has explored trading for the right-hander already.

The key hurdles in a potential deal for the two time World Series champ include whether or not Verlander would waive his no trade clause and, more importantly, how many prospects are the Mets looking to nab from the Dodgers. 

In the Scherzer trade with the Rangers, the Mets netted top-100 prospect Luisangel Acuna in a one-for-one swap. If the Dodgers and Mets were looking at making a similar deal, top hitting prospect Michael Busch could fit that bill, although he's listed higher than Acuna on the current MLB Pipeline top-100 (34 > 44).

But, in all likelihood, the Mets would want more from the Dodgers...

After a slow start, Verlander has been lights out on the mound allowing just 7 runs over his last 42.1 innings (1.49 ERA).

If the Dodgers and Mets come together on a deal, it would give Los Angeles one of the most formidable rotations in the National League and help remedy season long struggles with starting pitching.