Entering into Major League Baseball’s offseason, it was possible that Clayton Kershaw had thrown his last pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kershaw was entering free agency. He’s also 34 and has dealt with a significant number of injuries in recent seasons. So, retirement felt like a potential option. But Kershaw will not be retiring, nor will he be pitching for another team.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on Thursday night that Kershaw is close to signing another one-year deal with the Dodgers.
Clayton Kershaw and Dodgers nearing one-year deal, source tells @TheAthletic
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 11, 2022
The news was met with positivity.
Big boy back https://t.co/D1O8UjPESP
— Walker Buehler (@buehlersdayoff) November 11, 2022
Would've been genuinely shocking if he left https://t.co/TbnQx9yVt5
— Nick Stellini (@StelliniTweets) November 11, 2022
As it should be https://t.co/E1lyRDKoGx
— Bless You Boys (@blessyouboys) November 11, 2022
well that was quick https://t.co/Dg3yDylzFH
— kennedi landry (@kennlandry) November 11, 2022
That didn't take long. https://t.co/pix4bPfuk1
— Justin Leger (@justinjleger) November 11, 2022
His contract with Los Angeles also ended at the end of the 2021 season. Kershaw did end up re-signing with the Dodgers, but not until March. While the lockout had something to do with that delay, Kershaw and the Dodgers had several weeks between the end of the World Series and beginning of the lockout to make something happen. Remembering that, Kershaw and the Dodgers coming to terms so quickly after the 2022 season is notable, even if it’s not surprising.
Kershaw is a nine-time All-Star, a three-time National League Cy Young Award winner and a one-time National League MVP. Injuries have certainly taken their toll on him, as Kershaw hasn’t topped 200 regular season innings since 2015. But when he’s on the mound and healthy, few are in his class. In 2022, he threw 126.1 innings in 22 starts for the Dodgers. In those outings, he went 12-2 with a 2.28 ERA, 0.942 WHIP and 137 strikeouts.
[Ken Rosenthal on Twitter]
