By Jordan Long
The L.A. Dodgers have major decisions to make this offseason after being eliminated in the National League Division Series by the San Diego Padres in 4 games. The Dodgers already know Manager Dave Roberts is going to lead this team in 2023. One pitcher they want to have back in 2023 is Clayton Kershaw.
Kershaw agreed to a 1-year $17 million contract on March 11th. He started in 22 games this past season with a record of 12-3 and an ERA of 2.28. Kershaw kept hitters off balance with his pitching location, forcing batters to swing at pitches outside the zone, totaling 137 strikeouts. Kershaw helped the Dodgers go an MLB best 111-51.
In the postseason, Kershaw started game 2 of the Division Series against the Padres. The Dodgers were looking to go up 2-0 and put a stranglehold on the series. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Kershaw pitched 5 innings before being pulled. He threw 80 pitches. Kershaw gave up 6 hits, and 3 runs, all earned. Kershaw was still able to strike out 6 Padres’ hitters. When he left the game, it was tied at 3. The Dodgers would go on to lose the game 5-3 as the Padres tied the series up at 1 game a piece. Of course, the Padres went on to win the series in 4 games.
It was not the outing Kershaw wanted. The Padres were able to take advantage of his pitches to score runs. Once the game was over, it might have been Kershaw’s last appearance for the Dodgers since he will be a free agent. The Dodgers, though, would like to talk to him about pitching for them in 2023.
According to ESPN.com, L.A. Dodgers’ President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman said, “Nothing has changed. My strong hope is that Clayton Kershaw is pitching here next year, but like I said last year, for him to take the time to put his head together with [his wife] Ellen and figure out what makes the most sense for their family is what we’ll afford them the time to do.”
The Dodgers will make a strong push to keep Kershaw with the team in 2023 which doesn’t mean he is going to stay. Kershaw may see what other offers are out there for him. They might be better than what the Dodgers can offer. The difference though between other clubs and the Dodgers is the fact that the Dodgers are most likely going to return to the playoffs. They may be a threat to win the World Series in 2023. Kershaw will do what is best for him, but it seems like coming back to the Dodgers is the most likely scenario.
Leave a Reply