Since making his MLB debut in 2008, left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw has been with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He helped transform a franchise, he won Cy Young awards, and even an MVP in the National League.
He endured his lows, having been unfairly identified as a “playoff failure”; and the highs, when he led the Dodgers to the 2020 World Series title and an unprecedented era of regular season dominance since then.
He reached free agency last year, only to end up re-signing with the Dodgers for another season, which was 2022.
He is once again free to sign with any club.
What does the future have in store for Kershaw?
MLB analysts agree on one thing: he won’t be leaving LA.
“‘To be quite honest, both parties would be crazy if they considered anything other than that…’ Harold and Matt Vasgersian discuss Clayton Kershaw’s free agency situation and the likelihood he returns to LA,” MLB Network tweeted.
"To be quite honest, both parties would be crazy if they considered anything other than that…"
Harold and Matt Vasgersian discuss Clayton Kershaw's free agency situation and the likelihood he returns to LA.#MLBNHotStove | #AlwaysLA pic.twitter.com/zw5qn5KOjr
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 8, 2022
Kershaw will be 35 by 2023 Opening Day: he is not getting any younger.
LA Is The Place For Him
He will likely want to remain a part of a contender, and he is on the best team of the National League.
It’s really hard to envision him leaving for another franchise, although he won’t lack suitors.
His hometown Texas Rangers, for example, badly need pitching and could do whatever it takes to land him.
Ultimately, however, he should return to the only MLB franchise he knows.
Kershaw could eventually retire with the cool distinction of being a one-team player.
The most important part is that he is still capable of retiring MLB hitters.
In 2022, he had an incredible 2.28 ERA in 126.1 frames.
Injuries are common for him these days, but he will return elite production on a per-start basis.
A reunion in LA seems inevitable.
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