The Los Angeles Dodgers have been the most aggressive team in upgrading their roster this offseason, headlined by the signings of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Tyler Glasnow was also acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays, and alongside Yamamoto, will slot in at the front of the Dodgers’ starting rotation. A group that was without an ace to finish the 2023 season now has two arms capable of leading a pitching staff.
But as it currently stands, the Dodgers rotation is still somewhat thin on depth, partly due to trading Ryan Pepiot for Glasnow. Currently, Walker Buehler and Emmet Sheehan are both penciled into the starting five, but the Dodgers may want to limit Buehler’s innings and Sheehan remains an option to start the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Because of that, the Dodgers are still looking to add depth to their starting rotation and remain interested in Clayton Kershaw, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
The other option for Kershaw is a return to the Dodgers, who, even after acquiring Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, want to add depth to their rotation.
As the Dodgers look for starting pitching depth, they are most in need of an innings eater who can slot into the backend of their rotation. The club has also remained interested in Lucas Giolito, who would like the opportunity to play on the same team with Ohtani for a second time.
Kershaw is a tough fit to fill the role of needed depth for the Dodgers as he is going to miss the first half of the 2024 season while recovering from left shoulder surgery. Still, when he was healthy, the southpaw posted a 2.46 ERA in 131.2 innings pitched.
The 2024 2024 would be Kershaw’s 17th in the Majors, and a return to the Dodgers, given their additions this offseason, could be a great move without any added pressure. However, they’d have to make mother moves as well.
The Dodgers might have competition from the Texas Rangers in signing Kershaw, who have been rumored to be interested in his services. It would provide him with an opportunity to pitch in his home state, without have to be away from his family.
What would Clayton Kershaw bring to Dodgers rotation?
Kershaw will turn 36 when the season kicks off, and after battling a number of ailments of late, he isn’t in a position to pitch bulk innings.
The first-ballot Hall of Fame starter fought against diminished velocity to still post a 13-5 record, compiling a solid season. All this considered for Kershaw, he’s reached 121.2, 126.1 and 131.2 innings pitched over his last three seasons.
Bringing Kershaw back would be a terrific move, because he can provide quality innings, and because of his competitive nature, he’ll will make it work.
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