Dodgers Open Free Agency With A Familiar Deal

 

Clayton Kershaw is staying in Los Angeles.

With free agency officially underway, the Los Angeles Dodgers wasted no time getting their first signing out of the way, retaining the veteran left-hander on a one-year deal.

The financial terms have yet to be disclosed.

Kershaw was a free agent last offseason and returned to the Dodgers on a one-year, $17 million deal.

Despite battling through various injuries, Kershaw went 12-3 in 22 starts with a 2.28 ERA.

2023 will be the future Hall-of-Famer’s 16th season in a Dodgers uniform.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports was the first to break the news, announcing the signing via Twitter.

Clayton Kershaw and Dodgers nearing one-year deal, source tells @TheAthletic

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 11, 2022

 

Kershaw Returns To Los Angeles 

It would be hard to imagine Kershaw wearing another uniform.

The 34-year-old came up in 2008 and instantly became an ace, winning three Cy Young Awards and an MVP Award from 2011-2014.

Kershaw also closed out the 2018 NLCS and was a key part of the Dodgers 2020 World Series championship team.

Needless to say, Kershaw has become a fixture in a Los Angeles uniform.

The Dodgers had not extended a qualifying offer to the veteran lefty.

The Dodgers’ rotation now consists of Kershaw, Julio Urias, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin.

Though starting pitching is a glaring need for the Dodgers, having Kershaw back to help guide younger pitchers and be a veteran voice in the clubhouse is beneficial for the team.

The Dodgers are likely to continue searching for starting pitching options with Walker Buehler on the shelf until 2024.

The team could still potentially re-sign left-hander Tyler Anderson.