Future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw isn't going anywhere.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting that the three-time National League Cy Young Award winner is returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a one-year deal after testing free agency for the first time in his career. For the deal to be completed, Kershaw will have to pass a physical.
After Los Angeles didn't issue a qualifying offer to Kershaw, there was some thought at the outset of the offseason that the eight-time All-Star may leave the Dodgers, the only team he's played for during his illustrious 14-year career. There was even some speculation that Kershaw -- a Texas native -- could be a fit for the Rangers. Ultimately, he chose to stay with the Dodgers.
Set to turn 34 later this month, Kershaw went 10-8 with a 3.55 ERA, 3.00 FIP and 3.4 fWAR across 121 2/3 innings in 2021. At this stage of his career, Kershaw probably isn't going to pitch 200+ innings in a season. However, the former National League MVP remains one of the better pitchers in the sport when he's on the mound.
It isn't exactly clear when Kershaw will be ready to pitch, as he's still working his way back from a forearm injury that prevented him from pitching in the postseason last year. Kershaw told The Athletic's Andy McCullough Friday that "he is healthy, but behind where he normally is at this time of the year."
The Dodgers will need Kershaw back in their starting rotation as soon as possible, after another future Hall of Famer, Max Scherzer, departed this offseason to sign a lucrative deal with the New York Mets. Still, Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Julio Urias could lead what has the chance to be a top-tier rotation for the Dodgers.
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