MLB Rumors: "Intriguing" Potential Landing Spot For Justin Verlander

Soon-to-be AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander is taking his wares to the free agent market once again, after coming off of a two-year absence to post a remarkable 1.75 ERA with the Houston Astros this season. He's declining his $25M player option and will have the usual suspects on his trail, such as the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers. 

But now MLB Insider Jon Morosi has suggested that the Los Angeles Angels would be a "great fit" and an "intriguing" potential landing spot for Verlander.

.@jonmorosi reports on some possible landing spots for Justin Verlander following his decision to opt for free agency 🧐@alannarizzo | #HighHeat pic.twitter.com/dq1AUq8wEI

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 11, 2022

"Certainly he's got some family connections in Southern California. I think the (Los Angeles) Angels are a really intriguing landing spot for JV. Think about that constellation of stars they were have there: Verlander, (Shohei) Ohtani, (Mike) Trout... It makes sense. If you're going to keep Ohtani, at least for the beginning of the season, and you're not going to rebuild right now, then you'd better do the best you can to put together around Ohtani a strong supporting cast that can get you to the postseason."

What makes even more sense for this move from the Angels perspective, explains Morosi, is that the team needs one more starting pitcher than other teams, as they have always run out a 6-man rotation in order to keep Ohtani from pitching more than once a week. 

"Verlander really would be a great fit there in Anaheim," reiterates Morosi.

Would Verlander accept pitching just once a week himself? And with a team that hasn't made the playoffs in eons? That remains to be seen.

Photo: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports