Report: Dodgers offering to pay half of Ethier's contract in potential trade

The Los Angeles Dodgers are so determined to move outfielder Andre Ethier, they're reportedly willing to pay a competitor to take him.

Sources tell Jon Heyman of CBS Sports that the Dodgers are willing to absorb close to half of the $56 million remaining on Ethier's contract in any potential trade.

Ethier's slated to earn $18 million in each of the next two seasons, followed by a salary of $17.5 million in 2017. His $17.5 million vesting option for 2018 can be bought out for $2.5 million.

Despite the club's best efforts to deal Ethier this winter, the nine-year veteran arrived at camp expressing a desire to start or be traded. The former appears increasingly unlikely with the emergence of top prospect Joc Pederson, who's considered a front-runner to secure the starting center field job this spring. 

Carl Crawford is also expected to join Yasiel Puig in the outfield this season.

Ethier posted a career-low .691 OPS with four homers in 380 plate appearances last season.