Dodgers Free Agency Rumors: Justin Verlander Contract Offer ‘Wasn’t Particularly Close’

With the MLB hot stove officially at a full boil after last week’s overly-active Winter Meetings in San Diego, the Los Angeles Dodgers still find themselves with notable gaps to fill amid missing out on the likes of Justin Verlander and Trea Turner.

In a week that saw many of the biggest free agents signed by new teams, including Turner joining with the Philadelphia Phillies, Andrew Heaney with the Texas Rangers, and the New York Mets landing Verlander, L.A. still remains goal-oriented with adding outfield and pitching reinforcements.

Not only regarded as one of the top pitchers to hit the free agent market this offseason, the 2022 American League Cy Young Award winner was on a short list for the Dodgers.

However, their contract offer wasn’t near the two-year, $86.66 million deal Verlander received from the Mets, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post:

They weren’t particularly close in their bid for Justin Verlander, according to sources.

Verlander, who is fresh off a World Series title with the Houston Astros and a regular season that saw an elite 1.75 ERA across 28 starts, joined his former teammate Max Scherzer to headline New York’s rotation.

Verlander received the same average annual value as Scherzer, who set the MLB record when he received a $43.3 million AAV when signing with the the Mets last offseason.

While there appeared to be mutual interest between the Dodgers and Verlander, the Mets were seen as a significant threat to sign the future Hall of Famer after watching longtime ace Jacob deGrom sign a five-year contract with the Texas Rangers.

Dodgers planned to speak with Justin Verlander’s agent

After speaking with Verlander via Zoom in the time leading up to the Winter Meetings, the Dodgers and his agent reportedly were due to speak in San Diego.

It’s unclear if that meeting was ever held due to the Mets acting quickly to sign the 39-year-old.