MLB Rumors: Dodgers-Verlander trade, Cubs target scratched, surprise Grissom suitor

Dodgers may land Justin Verlander with no competition

Jim Bowden joined The Athletic’s flagship baseball podcast and talked about all things trade deadline, starting with Justin Verlander. Bowden led with the idea that a Verlander trade seems highly unlikely. There is good reason to believe that, as the Mets with Verlander could easily retool this offseason and try to win again next year.

That said, if the Mets get an otherwordly offer from a team for him, they’ve certainly projected the idea that they would at least consider.

With that qualifier in mind, Bowden did say there’s only one team who stands out.

“The only spot left is the Dodgers. So to me, it’s Dodgers or bust,” Jim Bowden said on The Athletic Baseball Show podcast.

The reason for this is the contract Verlander is due next year. He thinks any suitor for Verlander would be unable to pay the money unless the Mets offer to pick up a substantial portion of the deal. That’s similar to what they did with Scherzer, but the calculus on such a decision could be different when trading away their second ace-level starter.

It generally seems like even the Dodgers would need the Mets to pick up part of the bill to make a deal work. Probably not quite worth it for New York.

An interesting nugget Bowden threw out there: He thinks one thing that could hold the Dodgers back is the fact that money given to Verlander might be earmarked for a run at Shohei Ohtani this winter. If the Dodgers don’t pursue Verlander just because of the chance they could get Ohtani, that says a lot about how they perceive their chances to sign the highly coveted free-agent-to-be.