Dodgers losing Tyler Anderson could be key to signing star pitcher

Andrew Friedman, President of Baseball Operations and manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers talk on the field before a preseason game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium on April 5, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

The Los Angeles Dodgers losing Tyler Anderson could open the door for them signing one of the top starting pitchers available in free agency.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have lost one player to free agency early on in the offseason. On Tuesday, pitcher Tyler Anderson declined the team’s $19.65 million qualifying offer ahead of the deadline. Shortly afterwards, reports indicated that Anderson had agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. With the Dodgers losing a pitcher from their starting rotation, the Dodgers could potentially replace him with a big name.

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi tweeted that Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander to the Dodgers “became more realistic.” Morosi cited the team losing Anderson, and signing Verlander would not cost a draft pick like signing Jacob deGrom would.

Justin Verlander to the #Dodgers became more realistic based on today's events.

Specifically, Tyler Anderson rejected the Dodgers' QO; and signing Verlander would not involve the loss of a pick, whereas Jacob deGrom would.

Credit to @Ken_Rosenthal for linking JV and LAD.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 15, 2022

Justin Verlander to Dodgers a ‘realistic’ possibility

The reason why deGrom would cost a draft pick is due to the fact that he received a qualifying offer from the New York Mets. Even though he didn’t accept it, the Mets would receive a compensation draft pick after the fourth-round if he were to sign with another team.

Verlander is coming off of a stellar 2022 campaign, his first since recovering from Tommy John surgery. At the age of 39, Verlander led the American League with 18 wins, a .818 winning percentage, 1.75 ERA, a 0.829 WHIP, and a 220 ERA+.

On Wednesday night, Verlander unanimously won the AL Cy Young award after receiving 30 first-place votes. This is the third time he’s won the award in his career.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Verlander “sees the potential for lucrative opportunities,” with the Dodgers, New York Yankees, and Mets.

Astros owner Jim Crane told MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart is seeking a contract similar to the three-year, $130 million offer Max Scherzer received from the Mets last offseason.

Verlander is celebrating his latest Cy Young award, and now he’s likely to command a huge contract this offseason. Could it be with the Dodgers? That remains to be seen.

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