The Los Angeles Dodgers completed a blockbuster of a trade with little time to spare before Monday’s 1 p.m. PT deadline, prying Yu Darvish from the Texas Rangers without losing Yadier Alvarez, Walker Buehler or Alex Verdugo.
Darvish joins a Dodgers starting rotation that of course is led by Clayton Kershaw, and ranks first overall with a 3.21 ERA. Kershaw remains on the disabled list with a lower back strain, but upon returning will give the Dodgers a one-two combination not seen since Zack Greinke signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Several weeks prior to Darvish becoming a member of the Dodgers, he traveled to Miami for the 2017 All-Star Game. It was there that Kershaw, presumably tongue-in-cheek, predicated he’d soon see the right-hander, according to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
At the All-Star Game, Darvish said, Clayton Kershaw told him "I'll see you in three weeks."
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) August 2, 2017
The new teammates appear to share the same affinity for a certain style of footwear, per Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA:
Darvish said he's happy that Kershaw wears the same weight training shoes he does, because #Rangers teammates used to make fun of them. 😂
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) August 2, 2017
Kershaw earned a sixth consecutive All-Star Game selection, while Darvish became a four-time All-Star. Darvish has been named to the Midsummer Classic in each of his full seasons with the Rangers (2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017).
The soon-to-be-31-year-old missed the entire 2015 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and didn’t return until late May of the following year.
Since making his debut, Darvish leads American League pitchers in opponents’ batting average (.218) and strikeouts per nine innings (11.04), ranks seventh in ERA and strikeouts (960), and 10th in WHIP (1.18).
Darvish went 6-9 with a 4.01 ERA in 22 starts for the Rangers this season. He’ll debut with the Dodgers on Friday night at Citi Field against Jacob deGrom and the New York Mets.
