Since the Dodgers season came to an unceremonious close versus the Arizona Diamondbacks, speculation has been raging about the future of Clayton Kershaw in Los Angeles.
The future Hall of Famer became a free agent — able to sign with any team he wanted. Rumors immediately flooded in linking Kershaw to the Rangers. Kershaw grew up/lives a stone’s throw from the stadium outside of Dallas. Texas is coming off a World Series win and surely will be competitive for the foreseeable future.
Still, even with the allure of playing close to home, those who fiercely bleed Dodger Blue were praying Kershaw would run it back at least one more year to continue his masterful career in Los Angeles.
According to a report that broke Tuesday morning, these fans will be seeing their wish come true.
Per Joel Sherman of MLB Network and Jon Heyman of The New York Post, Kershaw has agreed on a deal to return to the Dodgers. The report indicates Kershaw will take a physical with the team at LA’s spring training facility in Arizona. He has been recovering from shoulder surgery this offseason. While there’s no official timetable on his return, it’s expected for Kershaw to return to action after the All-Star break.
This is a massive development for the Dodgers. It would’ve been a serious gut punch to see Kershaw wear any other uniform. He’s not only established himself as the most prolific pitcher of his generation, but Kershaw easily is one of the best players in the history of the franchise. At age 36, he can ease his way back into action while eventually providing the Dodgers with experience and a cultured left arm featuring terrific accuracy, a wipeout slider, and a knee-buckling curveball.
