The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly on the verge of bringing back franchise legend Clayton Kershaw on a one-year deal.
Despite not yet being official, the deal is considered all but done: Kershaw will return to LA
The phrase “franchise legend” gets thrown around a lot these days, but when it comes to Kershaw, it may not do justice to what he means to the Dodgers.
Not only is he a fan favorite, but he has earned it all on the field.
Look at his Dodgers rankings in some of the most important statistical categories:
A @Dodgers legend is staying put 🐐 pic.twitter.com/q5ghUHqvJD
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 11, 2022
Kershaw established the franchise record for most strikeouts this past season and now has 2,807.
The Dodgers have had some incredible pitchers throughout their rich history, back from when they were in Brooklyn to their Los Angeles days.
None of them can say they struck out more people than Kershaw.
Stellar Performances
He is also first in WHIP, with a brilliant 1.00 mark, and second with an incredible 2.48 ERA.
He is fourth in innings pitched and third in wins.
The lefty ace will, if he stays healthy, surpass the 200-win threshold in 2023.
If he pitches into 2024, he will likely get to 3,000 strikeouts.
The former NL MVP and multiple Cy Young award winner was very good when healthy in 2022, with a 2.28 ERA in 126.1 frames.
He was limited by back issues and other ailments, but whenever he stepped on the mound, he gave the Dodgers some star-level performances.
Now that he has agreed to return, Kershaw will be able to keep working on his all-time ranks within the organization.
If he retired today, he would still be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
That’s how good he has been.
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