Dodgers Rumors: Possible Trade Packages for Joc Pederson
By Jason Reed
Attempting to dump Justin Verlander’s salary, the Detroit Tigers may turn to the financial powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers. Talks involving Verlander previously stemmed up between the two teams, with the Verlander’s salary being the suggested breaking point. However, after a disappointing start to 2017 the Dodgers may be more desperate than they were before.
Justin Verlander would pitch quite well in Chavez Ravine and make a dominant two guy behind Clayton Kershaw. We see it all the time, pitchers perform better under Rick Honeycutt and the Dodgers – just look at Zack Greinke. Pitching in a pitcher friendly park, with the best pitching coach in baseball, has helped so many careers in Los Angeles.
Verlander is still great too! Last year he finished in the top three in Cy Young voting with a 3.04 ERA. Pitching in the National League will only boost his production, as against National League teams in his career he has posted a 2.99 ERA with a 27-5 record.
Sure, he has a giant contract and a no-trade clause, but a move to Los Angeles may be favorable for the Verlander-Upton relationship. The Dodgers would hold him down until at least 2019, with 2020 vesting only if he finishes top five in Cy Young voting.
Overall, the Tigers could use a great fielding center fielder that is on the left side of the plate. With a right-handed hitting heavy line up, this may be a match made in heaven.