The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Yu Darvish at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline to strengthen the starting rotation for the postseason that already included Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Alex Wood.
It marked a second consecutive year in which the Dodgers traded for a starting pitcher whose contract was set to expire at the end of the season. Following a disappointing showing in Game 7 of the World Series, Darvish expressed a sentiment to re-sign with the Dodgers.
“It’s tough, but personally I want to come back to the Dodgers,” he said through a translator. “I would like to come back in the World Series, and I want to pitch better. From this time’s outing, I just want to come back and pitch better.”
Darvish ended his regular season campaign on a strong note, allowing just one earned run over his final 19.1 innings. He carried that hot streak into the National League Division and Championship Series, where he yielded two runs over 11.1 frames.
The four-time All-Star, however, endured the two worst starts of his career in the World Series against the Houston Astros.
In Game 3, with the series tied at one game apiece, Darvish recorded just five outs while allowing four runs on six hits. He replicated that performance in a deciding seventh contest, yielding five runs (four earned) and three hits in 1.2 innings without tallying a strikeout.
“I have nothing but the appreciation from my team and the teammates,” Darvish said. “And like I was able to pitch [in the National League Championship Series] and the [Division Series], and I was able to help the team win. But I couldn’t do it in the World Series, and I wish I could have helped the team.”
Darvish was one of six Dodgers to officially become free agents the morning after the World Series concluded. In what’s a relatively weak free agent market for starting pitchers, Darvish figures to be in line for a hefty contract.
Aside from his poor starts in the World Series, it’s uncertain how much interest the Dodgers would have in Darvish because of his age.
