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?

Texas Rangers

If Clayton Kershaw is going to leave the Los Angeles Dodgers, it could be for the Texas Rangers.

It would be a homecoming of sorts for Kershaw. He grew up in Texas, going to high school in University Park. Interestingly enough, current Rangers general manager Chris Young also attended the same high school, although their time there did not overlap. Kershaw still lives in Texas in the offseason, and signing with the Rangers would allow him to spend more time with his family.

Kershaw would be an important part of the Rangers’ hopes to return to the postseason. Their spending spree in the 2021-22 offseason did bring in Jon Gray, but they were more focused on the lineup. His 2.28 ERA and 0.942 WHiP over 126.1 innings, with 137 strikeouts and 23 walks, would be a great fit in the Rangers’ rotation.

However, he could not be the only piece they bring in. The Rangers would need to add another top of the rotation arm as well given his health woes. Bringing in Kershaw and keeping Martin Perez would not be enough to contend, especially given the Astros’ dynasty and the presence of the Mariners.

The Texas Rangers might be able to pry Clayton Kershaw away from the Los Angeles Dodgers. They will likely offer more money and he can be closer to home.