Report: Dodgers asked about Tigers' Verlander this winter

A year after losing Zack Greinke to free agency, the Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly made inquiries about another Cy Young award winner as they looked to patch up their rotation this winter.

Though the Dodgers ultimately brought back left-hander Rich Hill to round out their starting corps, the reigning National League West champions first asked the Detroit Tigers about longtime ace Justin Verlander, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. A trade never got close, though, as Verlander's $28-million salary for 2017 deterred the Dodgers, who also had interest in re-signing Hill, third baseman Justin Turner, and closer Kenley Jansen.

Verlander, who finished second in American League Cy Young voting in 2016 after stumbling through two disappointing seasons in a row, also has full five-and-10 no-trade protection, further complicating a potential deal, but the 33-year-old has intimated he'd consider waiving his no-trade clause were the Tigers to start rebuilding.

"I'm too old to be part of a rebuilding process," Verlander said during a January appearance on MLB Network Radio.

Selected by the Tigers with the second pick in the 2004 draft, Verlander has spent his entire career in Detroit, cementing his status as one of the greatest pitchers in franchise history with six All-Star appearances to go along with his 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young awards. Verlander, third all time among Tigers pitchers in WAR (52.6), authored a 3.04 ERA (136 ERA+) with a 1.00 WHIP in 34 starts last season, managing a career-best 28.1 percent strikeout rate while holding opponents to a .204 average. Guaranteed $28 million in each of the next three seasons, Verlander also has a $22-million option for 2020 that vests if he finishes in the top five in AL Cy Young voting the season prior.

Still, even with the Dodgers' reputed desire to get below the luxury tax threshold in the near future, Verlander could be a possible target as the trade deadline approaches, as he and his fiancee, model/actress Kate Upton, recently bought a home in the Beverly Hills area.

Verlander, incidentally, has shown an affinity for the style of baseball played in the National League, too, advocating Thursday on Twitter for the commissioner's office to harmonize the two leagues and eradicate the designated hitter.