3 potential destinations for Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw

The question of whether or not Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw will pitch in 2023 has seemingly been answered.

Kershaw had said that he was “leaning towards” a return for the 2023 season and potentially beyond. He also indicated that he feels he has “at least one more run,” the wording of which would potentially indicate that he is looking to pitch beyond 2023 as well.

Three possible landing spots for Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw

The question is where Kershaw will pitch. The Dodgers are the only organization he has ever known, but the Rangers had a great deal of interest in the previous offseason. It is likely that they will renew that interest this offseason as well as they look to return to contention. Likewise, it is entirely likely that other teams around the league will reach out, attempting to lure the future Hall of Famer to their city in a quest to get back to the playoffs.

Where will Clayton Kershaw end up in 2023? Let’s take a look at three possible options for the Los Angeles Dodgers future Hall of Famer.

Los Angeles Dodgers

In this case, there may be no place like home.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the only team that Kershaw has been a part of, having been selected by them as the seventh overall pick in the 2006 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut just two years later, became an ace caliber pitcher in 2009, and has gone on to carve out an impressive career ever since.

There are several advantages to staying with the Dodgers. They are going to contend for a playoff berth every year as they have been in the postseason for ten consecutive years. At the same time, Kershaw and the Dodgers are intimately familiar with one another, something that can make a difference as he gets older.

That could be important both next year and in any following seasons. Kershaw is going to need time on the Injured List and there will be a need to manage his back woes. The Dodgers know exactly how to do that, making certain that he is ready to go down the stretch when he would be needed most. It is difficult to imagine that he would want to leave such familiarity.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have to be the heavy favorites to retain Clayton Kershaw’s services. Why would he want to play anywhere else?

Los Angeles Angels

It might be a longshot, but maybe Clayton Kershaw leaves the Los Angeles Dodgers but stays in town.

The Angels are desperately attempting to win with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani on the roster. They may have just one more chance as Ohtani is a free agent after this season and has been quite clear that he wants to be part of a winning franchise. Having two of the best players in the game and zero playoff appearances since 2014 is not a great way to keep the two way sensation around.

One of the biggest weaknesses for the Angels is their rotation. Ohtani is clearly an ace, and Patrick Sandoval showed the potential to be a strong middle of the rotation arm, but they desperately need another pitcher that they can count on. Kershaw could be that.

There are some possible advantages to Kershaw landing with the Angels. They have typically used a six man rotation so as to limit the wear of being a two way player on Ohtani, which could also keep Kershaw healthy throughout the season. He would also remain in a city that he is familiar with, albeit across town.

The Los Angeles Angels desperately need at least one pitcher to add to Ohtani. Clayton Kershaw may be a longshot, but he could be a start.