Future Hall of Fame Starting Pitcher Clayton Kershaw has resigned with the only team he has ever known; the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ken Rosenthal is reporting Kershaw will be back on a one-year deal.
Despite injury concerns, Kershaw racked up 121 2/3 innings across 22 starts in 2021. Kershaw has been consistent and dominant for most of his career. Last year, although maybe not as dominant as before, showed he still has gas left in the tank. Kershaw struck out 144 batters and only walked 21 compiling a 115 ERA+.
Financing
Financials have not been released but Kershaw has regularly made around $30 million per year. He did miss the 2021 postseason with injuries that could hamper compensation.
Kershaw will be rejoining teammates Walker Buehler and Julio Urias in the rotation. Coming off shoulder surgery, Tony Gonsolin has a chance to rejoin the rotation. Further, the Dodgers signed starting pitcher Andrew Heaney to a one-year deal worth $8.5 million in November.
Recovering from Tommy John surgery, Dustin May is expected to join the rotation sometime after the All-Star break. The Dodgers have options in the rotation. However, it remains to be seen if those options are fully healthy at the start of the season.
Signing Clayton Kershaw solidifies a rotation looking for a veteran presence while others deal with injuries and setbacks. There is no doubt Kershaw’s leadership, attitude, and knowledge of the game will contribute to the advancement of young starters in the Dodgers organization. This one-year deal maybe two fold for the Dodgers; make another run and allow Kershaw to lead some of the young pitchers as they take over the mantle.
This may be Kershaw’s last season in a Major League Baseball uniform. We might as well enjoy the brilliance that is Kershaw.
