Dave Roberts: Dodgers Interested In Aaron Judge, Justin Verlander & Jacob deGrom

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a notable free agent in Trea Turner, but additionally have been linked to other top players available on the open market, such as Aaron Judge, Carlos Correa, Carlos Rodón and Justin Verlander.

Of the aforementioned players, signing Verlander is widely considered the most likely outcome for the Dodgers. Turner is believed to covet a return to the East Coast, and Judge is said to be deciding between re-signing with the New York Yankees or joining his hometown San Francisco Giants.

Meanwhile, deGrom may not be a fit for the Dodgers if he is seeking a long-term contract.

Nevertheless, during an “Starkville” podcast hosted by Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville, manager Dave Roberts effectively confirmed the Dodgers have interest in Judge, Verlander and more top starting pitchers:

“We talked about the right fielder who is free, and then you’re talking about top-end starters, so I think we’re going to be in play. I think for us, it’s kind of what makes sense for the roster. Every option is open. You talk about deGrom, Verlander, those are the two best guys on the market, so there’s certainly interest. For me personally, I’ve admired how those guys go about things. As a manager, you always want all the best players. I’m still trying to be sensitive to payroll, but I’ll take Verlander and deGrom. We have conversations a lot. I’m probably bias, but I just think Andrew does it better than anybody. I really do.”

Although the Dodgers have been loosely connected to Judge, starting pitching is where the team has a clear need. Clayton Kershaw reportedly agreed to re-sign on a one-year contract, but Tyler Anderson joined the Los Angeles Angels, and there is some uncertainty surrounding Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May.

In a best-case scenario, Walker Buehler could return in September from a right flexor tendon repair and second Tommy John surgery.

Dodgers payroll concerns?

Despite president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman dismissing any concern, there’s some belief the Dodgers are operating in free agency with the luxury tax threshold in mind.

Thus far the team has shed more than $100 million from their payroll with players becoming free agents and declining options on the likes of Hanser Alberto, Danny Duffy, Jimmy Nelson and Justin Turner.