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MLB Rumors: NL West pitching war, Braves in on JV, Cards aren’t done

By Zach Pressnell

Justin Verlander #35 of the New York Mets delivers during the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Citi Field on July 19, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
Justin Verlander #35 of the New York Mets delivers during the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Citi Field on July 19, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /
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May 14, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) tags first for the out against San Diego Padres first baseman Jake Cronenworth (9) during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) tags first for the out against San Diego Padres first baseman Jake Cronenworth (9) during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

MLB Rumors: Padres and Dodgers both in on Justin Verlander and Eduardo Rodriguez

The rivalry between the Padres and Dodgers runs deep. These two franchises have seen their fair share of bench clearing brawls, extra-inning games and batters thrown at. But this rivalry runs even deeper than it appears. It runs deeper than just a baseball game. These two teams have found themselves competing at the trade deadline, off the field, in a war for starting pitching.

Both of these teams desperately need a starting pitcher or two. They are also no strangers to spending a ton of money and prospect capital in order to get what they want. Unlike teams like the Cubs and the Reds who have added some of the lower-level trade pieces, these two squads have their eyes on the big prizes: Justin Verlander and Eduardo Rodriguez.

While Verlander isn’t a guarantee to be moved, Rodriguez is seen as almost 100 percent certain to be traded. These two teams are two of the top teams in the market for both players, which is going to result in a no-holds barred bidding war as the trade deadline approaches. Losing a trade target is crushing by itself but losing that target to a division rival is even worse. Both of these teams will likely do whatever it takes to make sure they get the guy they want and don’t leave any scraps for their rival.

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