Justin Verlander trade: 4 teams that could trade for Mets star ranked least to most likely
By Josh Wilson
Justin Verlander trade destinations: Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are one team that has been linked to Scherzer for some time, and though Los Angeles has already added Lance Lynn to its starting rotation, Lynn has struggled at times this year and there would be a strong case to be made that adding Verlander would really anchor in the starting pitching for the post-deadline portion of the year.
Clayton Kershaw is the clear ace of the rotation now, and Verlander would give the Dodgers a one-two punch that would make them deadly in a postseason series.
Though Verlander’s WHIP has gone above 1.0 this season, it was sub-1.0 for the last five seasons. The Dodgers, this year, already have three starting pitchers below 1.0 (Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin, Kershaw), and if Verlander could reach that level of dominance on the mound in LA, it’s tough to see teams mustering enough out of their bats to threaten a win in a series.
The interest is clear, as the Dodgers were one of several teams that attempted to sign Verlander as a free agent this winter.
A major piece holding this back is that the Dodgers have been heavy in any discussions around starting pitching. With Jordan Montgomery looking more available and likely at a lower price with no long-term commitment, it’s quite possible the Dodgers go elsewhere to add to the starting rotation, even if their ideal is Verlander.
Los Angeles and St. Louis have also been engaged on discussions in pitchers already, as their talks around Nolan Arenado started with pitching.