The Los Angeles Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw agreed to a one-year, $20 million contract. Kershaw, 34, is coming off a season in which he earned his ninth All-Star nod and pitched to a 2.28 ERA in 126 1/3 innings. While Clayton’s innings numbers are down relative to the numbers he put up in his 20s, his strikeouts per nine innings remain high at 9.8. In addition, his walks and home runs per nine innings were both low at 1.6 and 0.7, respectively. His WHIP was sub-one for the eighth time in his career, at 0.942. In other words, Kershaw is a valuable pitcher when he pitches. The Dodgers seem to be more than happy to pay a pro-rated portion of what he would earn if he were to pitch full-time. Last offseason, the Dodgers paid $17 million for the services of the future Hall of Famer.
The signing comes just prior to the announcement that Justin Verlander will be heading to the New York Mets. Verlander’s deal is for two years at $86 million with a vesting option for a third year. The Dodgers were previously linked to the righty this offseason. The Dodgers and Kershaw agreeing to sign another one-year contract this offseason places Kershaw near the front of a rotation that recently added Shelby Miller. With Walker Buehler out for the entire 2023 season, the Dodgers have Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin, and Dustin May to fill out the rotation. Ryan Pepiot may also see more innings in 2023 than in 2022. In addition, the Dodgers may look for additional arms at the Winter Meetings.
Dodgers, Kershaw Sign up for Another Year
Dodger fans will be without the voices of both Jaime Jarrín and Vin Scully for the first time since 1950. Hall of Fame broadcaster Jaime Jarrín will likely be a regular visitor at Chavez Ravine, but he recently unplugged his microphone after 64 years with the Dodgers. Vin Scully passed away last season. When familiar faces are lost, other familiar faces are a welcomed sight. The 2023 season will be Kershaw’s 16th season with the Dodgers. The pitching legend has spent his entire career with the Dodgers. There are not a lot of franchise players in baseball these days, and they are becoming less and less prevalent. Dodger fans have been lucky to witness the career of such a player.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
Players Mentioned:
Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander, Shelby Miller, Walker Buehler, Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, Ryan Pepiot
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Los Angeles Dodgers
