Dodgers: Team Inquired About Justin Verlander in the Offseason

The Dodgers inquired about Detroit’s starting pitcher Justin Verlander during the winter meetings.

After a 91 win season and an NLCS appearance, the Dodgers had very little they had to improve. Their biggest challenge going into the offseason was getting healthy and re-signing their key free agents.

They did just that, bringing back Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, and Rich Hill. They continued to improve the club by trading for Logan Forsythe, signing Franklin Gutierrez and re-signing Chase Utley.

As good as their offseason was, it reportedly could have been better. According to Jon Heyman’s FanRag Sports column, Inside Baseball Final Offseason Grades, the Dodgers checked in on Detroit’s starting pitcher Justin Verlander during the winter meetings.

This makes sense because one of the biggest priority heading into the offseason was finding a second ace to backup Kershaw.

More from Dodgers Way

• Ken Rosenthal column casts doubt on Dodgers spending big in free agency
• Dodgers’ Justin Verlander buzz suggests different kind of free agency aggression
• 5 Dodgers prospects that should undoubtedly be on 2023 roster
• Dodgers take ‘risk’ with 40-man roster additions before Rule 5 Draft
• Angels plunder Dodgers All-Star starter Tyler Anderson in surprise reversal

The Dodgers explored trades in the offseason for Chris Archer, Chris Sale, and now Justin Verlander. They ended up re-signing Rich Hill to a respectable 3-year deal.

Re-signing Hill is not a bad move by any means. But I don’t think I’m alone when I say it would have put the Dodgers over the competition if they got a younger, more dynamic pitcher like the ones mentioned above.

But all trades come at a cost and Friedman doesn’t want to jeopardize the future of the organization for one or two successful seasons. He wants to build a dynasty and is on his way of doing that.

Heyman’s column says the talks never advanced between the two clubs because Verlander’s $28-million salary was too much for the Dodgers to take on.

“L.A. asked about Justin Verlander this winter, though nothing got close as the $28-million salary was a lot for them since they also had interest in bringing back Rich Hill, Justin Turner and Kenley Jansen, which they did.”

I’m glad the Dodgers didn’t end up on Verlander. Sure, he would have been number 2 behind Kershaw, but it would have cost a few of our top prospects to get the deal done. The rumor does make me wonder if the Dodgers were prioritizing resigning their players during the offseason.

What else do we know about the Dodgers trade talks?

We know that they were looking heavily into upgrading second base with Ian Kinsler or Brian Dozier. Ultimately they ended up on Logan Forsythe, a less costly option. Now we’re finding out another name that Friedman was pursuing before re-signing Hill. This makes me question if the players we landed are the players we wanted.

I can see how Friedman would ask about Verlander since they were already in discussion with Detroit. Getting a package deal with Kinsler and Verlander would have made it easier to part ways with a top prospect like Verdugo or Bellinger. Not to mention drive up the World Series expectations.

But I’m satisfied with the way the offseason turned out. Friedman was still able to upgrade second base while also keeping our second ace without having to give up any additional prospects.

Those moves may not grab the headlines like the Red Sox did when they traded for Chris Sale. But I feel the Dodgers have their best player roster since the 2013 season.

Granted, Verlander is coming off his best season since 2012. Verlander won 16 games and finished with a 10 K/9 ratio. Verlander also finished second in voting for the AL Cy Young award, falling 5 points shy of his second Cy Young award.

The Tigers still missed the playoffs last season, and their window of winning a championship is slowly closing. Look out for Verlander’s name to come up in trade talks if the Tigers are not in playoff contention, again.

Next: Starting Rotation Solution

Let us know what you think! Do you think the Dodgers would have been better off trading for an elite arm like Verlander? If he’s available in the middle of the year should we go after him? Tweet us at @DodgersWayFS!