Justin Verlander will not be a Dodger in 2022; that is an absolute fact. As such, and as they say:

On Saturday morning, it was reported that the soon-to-be (on February 20) 39-year-old Manakin Sabot, VA native and first-round draft pick (second overall) in 2004 by the Detroit Tigers out of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA who the Dodgers were reportedly ‘kicking the tires on’ several weeks ago until he re-signed with the Houston Astros on November 17 on a two-year/$50 million deal, would receive an additional $25 million if he reaches the 130 innings-pitched mark in 2023.

Although pure speculation, it is quite possible that $25 million innings-pitched option in 2023 may have been what took the eight-time All-Star, two-time Cy Young Award winner, former MLB Player of the Year, former AL MVP, former ERA champion, former ALCS MVP, former Triple Crown winner, 2017 World Series champion, and former Rookie of the Year (i.e., future Hall of Famer) off of Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman‘s radar. Then again, it also could have been that two-years for a soon-to-be 39-year-old thing.

That being said, and despite his age, Verlander has pitched less than 130 innings in only three of his 16 major league seasons. (Did I mention that Justin Verlander is a future Hall of Famer?).

In other words, barring a significant injury, that $25 million option in 2023 is probably a ‘money in the bank,’ thing.

Did Friedman make the right decision by not signing the veteran right-hander?

Stay tuned…

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