Dodgers Identified as Top Landing Spot for Justin Verlander by MLB Writer
The Dodgers will potentially be losing two big arms this winter in the form of longtime ace Clayton Kershaw and 2021 second-half ace Max Scherzer. While the team will do what they can to retain one if not both pitchers, they’ve already started to prepare for their departure with interest in other arms.
The team has already signed LHP Andrew Heaney and has shown interest in other capable arms. However, it’s going to take a lot to fill in the holes left by those two future Hall of Fame pitchers. Well, Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer identified that Justin Verlander as a potential candidate to do so with Los Angeles being a likely destination he could wind up in.
“It’s unclear whether the Dodgers were present at Verlander’s workout, but it would be a shocker if they weren’t. Not just because he’d fit in their rotation, but also because it would be a case of president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman not rekindling the interest he had in Verlander in 2017.”
A match between the two sides does make sense. Andrew Friedman tried to acquire Verlander for the team’s 2017 run but missed out as the Detroit Tigers ultimately sent him to Houston where he helped the Astros “take down” the Dodgers in the World Series. Verlander who is nearing the end of his career would most definitely want to join a contending team, and what better team to join than the Dodgers who have been World Series contenders for years.
His signing would come with a couple of hiccups. For one, the 38-year old is coming off of Tommy John surgery and hasn’t pitched in over a year. There’s no indication how he will perform moving forward, yet Verlander is a competitor like Kershaw and Scherzer and will stop at nothing to take the mound. Los Angeles could offer him an incentive-laden deal as well as a chance to win a ring. Verlander would have to decline his qualifying offer from the Astros and signing him would cost the Dodgers a draft pick, him it may be the price they’re willing to pay to add another Hall of Fame pitcher to offset their losses.
NEXT: LA Has Shown Reported Interest in a Pair of Reds Pitchers
Don’t pass up this opportunity Friedman. Sign Verlander and resign Scherzer.
Pretty big health gamble??
He could be an answer; but they better have a good idea of where he is at in his recovery. Can he still throw 96 when he is cut loose? ( or will he by April 1) And in his workout, was he hitting the zone? Better be pretty sure. Like 95%.
Let’s focus on guys who can actually be healthy for the postseason
Here’s the horse, let’s beat it some more. IF the Dodgers do not re-sign #22, both Verlander and Scherzer will have “dead arms” by September.
Kershaw won’t even be healthy in September
Drrrrrrrr will burn him up in Spirng Training…
Kershaw and Verlander should both be given $15 million base, with attainable bonuses of $5 million for each milestone they hit:
20, 25, and 30 starts.
If they reach 20 starts, a Team option kicks in, @$20 million base with the same bonuses for each number of starts….if they start 25 games, their base the next year is 25 million, with a team option the next year for 25 million, with the same bonuses.
The team is allowing both pitchers a lucrative make-good, pay-for performance deal, which rolls over automatically based on being healthy enough to make 20 starts at least.
The Dodgers are protected from being stuck with high-dollar contracts if they can’t pitch.
If the pitchers ball, let them walk.
The Blue have a plethora of hard-throwing talent on the way, and the best development staff in MLB to get the most out of the next wave.
Surf’s up!
If the pitchers BALK….not BALL
The team’s players are definitely fragile, so might as well sign him. He will fit right in with all the other Dodgers who fall to injuries and can’t contribute while being paid millions. 🙂
Post of Truth right there Rich……
He just resigned with the Astros. So much for your inside information.
That’s what I was going to post. Again, CT3, starting pitching and a new bench are what the current needs of this team.
They should go after Robbie Ray since he won the Cy Young award in the AL.
Just as well on Velander… Him signing with the Asstros willl help me keep the “fire of hatred” burning hard and strong next season as well. Go Blue !!