Justin Verlander Says He Would Have Accepted Trade to Dodgers Last Deadline

Might Justin Verlander have ended up on the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023?

The nine-time All-Star and three-time AL Cy Younger award-winning pitcher was traded from the New York Mets to the Houston Astros final season on Aug 1. Nevertheless, earlier than to the commerce to the Astros was finalized, Verlander heard that each the Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles had been . Verlander added that he would have accepted a commerce to both of these groups, by way of Jon Heyman of the New York Put up.

It’s not stunning to see Verlander would have been fascinated by becoming a member of both the Dodgers or Orioles — two of the three groups that completed the 2023 season with 100 wins.

As an alternative, Verlander returned the Astros, the place he beforehand performed from 2017-22 earlier than becoming a member of the Mets in 2023. The Astros additionally put up a robust season in 2023, advancing to the ALCS the place they fell to the Texas Rangers, who went on to change into the World Sequence champions.

In 2023, Verlander posted a 3.15 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with the Mets, and a 3.31 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with the Astros. General, he recorded a 13-8 file in 2023.

Even in his 40s, Verlander is an efficient main league starter. Verlander acquired his first begin within the ALDS, the place he recorded his sixth scoreless postseason begin after pitching for six innings, tied for probably the most all time.

That’s exactly the type of pitching the Dodgers may have used within the 2023 postseason, once they fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks within the NLDS. As an alternative, they misplaced and re-tooled their bullpen within the offseason, whereas Verlander stays in Houston.

Photograph Credit score: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports activities

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