Over three weeks prior, reports came out of the organization that the deal was “very nearly done” and the long interlude fed the feeling that he might still be poached by another team.
The Los Angeles Times and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal tentatively put the value of the deal at $17 million a that time, but it looks like holding off was a good move for the 34-year-old lefty. The three-time Cy Young winner has a career 2.48 ERA and has thrown over 2800 strikeouts.
With him the Dodgers go a long way toward strengthening an already impressive bullpen in preparation for yet another run at the post season. The winningest team in baseball last season certainly have deep pockets, and now with Kershaw on board, they also have a pretty deep rotation.
Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers wasted no time cementing that the likely Hall of Famer will return for a 16th season, agreeing to a deal early in November. The two sides made the one-year deal -- which pays Kershaw a $15 million salary in 2023, plus a $5 million signing bonus -- official on Monday.
The Dodgers didn't extend Kershaw a qualifying offer before last month's deadline, but president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman made it clear that bringing the left-hander back was "a priority" for the team this offseason. A few hours into free agency, Kershaw's free agency came to an end.
"Things just feel more right in the world when Kershaw is wearing a Dodgers uniform," Friedman said during the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas. "That's just how it lands with us, but we couldn't respect more him and Ellen going through this process."
Last winter, Kershaw's future was much more uncertain. Kershaw didn't pick up a baseball until January after ending the season on the injured list with a forearm injury. His three options were to play for the Dodgers, join the Rangers in order to stay close to his family or retire in the event his forearm didn't heal as well as he hoped.
Before the end of the 2022 season, Kershaw confirmed he wanted to play at least another season. He's going to sign one-year deals for the rest of his career, keeping his options open. There was a chance he could sign with the Rangers, but with the way the Dodgers played during the regular season, Kershaw wanted to return.
The Dodgers didn't offer Kershaw a qualifying offer because they didn't want to rush his decision. But Kershaw was ready to be back with the Dodgers, the only place he's known as a big leaguer. Once Kershaw takes the mound next season, he'll become the second Dodger to pitch 16 seasons with the organization, joining Hall of Famer Don Sutton, who also played parts of 16 seasons in LA.
Kershaw was one of the most effective pitchers in the National League last season, going 12-3 with a 2.28 ERA over 22 starts. He made his ninth All-Star team and started the Midsummer Classic for the first time in his career at Dodger Stadium. The left-hander missed two months due to a pair of back injuries, something Kershaw will have to monitor for the rest of his career.
Adding Kershaw this early in the offseason gives the Dodgers more clearance on what their starting pitching situation will look like next season. Julio UrÃas, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin are the other three starters in the rotation. Ryan Pepiot, Michael Grove, Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller will all serve as depth options.
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