Clayton Kershaw went into last offseason facing a world of uncertainty due to a left elbow/forearm injury that prevented him from pitching in the playoffs and reaching free agency for the first time in his career.
Given the serious nature of Kershaw’s injury, there was the possibility of retirement and the Los Angeles Dodgers decided against extending a qualifying offer to Kershaw for the 2021 season.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman explained that was to avoid putting any pressure on the franchise’s longtime ace to rush a decision about his future. Kershaw additionally was afforded the benefit of time because the MLB lockout put a freeze on free agency and all other transactions involving 40-man roster players.
Now the 34-year-old is a free agent for the second straight year, the Dodgers once again opted against giving Kershaw the qualifying offer, presumably to avoid rushing him into a decision on his future, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN:
The full qualifying offer list, per ESPN sources:
– Aaron Judge
– Trea Turner
– Xander Bogaerts
– Jacob DeGrom
– Dansby Swanson
– Carlos Rodón
– Brandon Nimmo
– Willson Contreras
– Chris Bassitt
– Anthony Rizzo
– Tyler Anderson
– Martín Perez
– Joc Pederson
– Nathan Eovaldi— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 10, 2022
Thursday at 2 p.m. PT was the deadline to give a qualifying offer to eligible free agents. Players who did receive the qualifying offer have five days (until Tuesday, November 15) to accept or decline the one-year, $19.65 million contract for next season
Despite not receiving the qualifying offer, Kershaw can still re-sign with the Dodgers. But if he leaves in free agency to join another club, the Dodgers would not receive a compensation pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.
Even with two stints on the 15-day injured list because of back trouble, Kershaw enjoyed a productive season. He finished the year 12-3 with a 2.28 ERA, 2.57 FIP and 0.94 WHIP in 126.1 innings over 22 starts.
Kershaw started the MLB All-Star Game for the first time in his career, which fittingly occurred at Dodger Stadium. “It’s a huge honor,” he said at the time.
The 2022 season also saw Kershaw become the new Dodgers strikeout king as he passed Don Sutton. Kershaw finished the season atop the Dodgers all-time strikeouts list with 2,807 to Sutton’s 2,696.
Clayton Kershaw free agency interest
Like his last time on the open market, the general consensus is Kershaw will either re-sign with the Dodgers, or join his hometown Texas Rangers.
The Rangers have a need for starting pitching, which was addressed in some regard by their trade with the Atlanta Braves to acquire Jake Odorizzi.
Although Kershaw has a close relationship with Rangers general manager Chris Young, he’s also made clear playing for a World Series contender is a top priority.
Despite making a splash in free agency last year by signing Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, the Rangers went 68-94 and fired manager Chris Woodward during the season.
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