Effectively, that didn’t take a lot time, did it?
The Dodgers shall be re-signing Clayton Kershaw to a one-year deal. Whereas the dance was just like final yr, when in addition they didn’t provide him a qualifying provide with a view to not rush him and he signed on March 13, this time with out the lockout in place Kershaw has gotten this out of the way in which early on.
So far as the fee, ESPN is saying that it may very well be across the similar quantity as he made in 2022, which might be a steal.
Kershaw’s deal is predicted to be of comparable worth to the one-year, $17 million deal he signed shortly after the house owners’ lockout concluded in March. The Dodgers declined to increase Kershaw the $19.65 million qualifying provide earlier on Thursday, identical to they did early final offseason, largely as a result of they didn’t wish to stress him into making a call sooner than he might need wished.
This shall be Clayton’s sixteenth season as a Dodger and fortunately the one staff he’s identified in his HOF profession. Regardless of seemingly not figuring out whether or not he can be again in any respect in 2022 after his elbow harm, he ended up posting his finest season since 2017 (arguably 2016). Whereas he did miss time resulting from his power again points, he made 22 begins and posted a 2.28 ERA, 2.57 FIP, and a pair of.51 xERA in 126.1 innings of labor. For sure, he nonetheless has fuel left within the tank, and he tasks to stay a front-end starter with the principle query being his well being.
For a staff that wanted to seek out beginning pitching within the low season, the return of Kershaw is a boon, offering a way of stability right into a rotation that seemed skinny. With Walker Buehler on the mend, it was actually solely Julio Urias left to anchor the rotation. Tony Gonsolin and Dustin Might had been two others, however each have struggled with arm well being, and after that they must dip into their prospects with Ryan Pepiot, Michael Grove, Bobby Miller, and others. The return of Kershaw pushes all of them again a slot, and takes stress off the entrance workplace to need to exit and purchase much more pitching than earlier than.
As for the cash, for a staff just like the Dodgers it’s arduous to ever care about how a lot is being pumped right into a one-year deal, and barring this being for $200 million or one thing, it’ll be nice.
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So this can be a win on all fronts it doesn’t matter what you prioritize, as a result of it hold Kershaw on the Dodgers for legacy/fandom causes, it fills a serious want of the Dodgers’ low season since he’s nonetheless nice, and Kershaw will get to maintain his choices clear for the long run whereas making a boatload of cash. Unimaginable to complain.
