Clayton Kershaw Landing Spots: 3 potential destinations for the 3x Cy Young winner coming off rough season with Dodgers
There is no denying that Clayton Kershaw is one of the best pitchers of his generation. The 36-year-old has been a force for the Los Angeles Dodgers throughout his career, earning three Cy Young Awards and an MVP, while also being a member of the team for two World Series titles.
Despite having a laundry list of accomplishments that will see possibly him inducted into the Hall of Fame, it's also clear that Clayton Kershaw's best years might be behind him. Injuries have plagued the superstar in recent seasons, with the veteran being limited to only 30.0 innings in 2024.
All that said, when Kershaw is healthy, he has shown that he can still be elite. The veteran earned All-Star nods in both 2022 and 2023, and even though health might be an issue, he would still be worth sending to the mound. After declining his $10 million player option for 2024, Kershaw finds himself as a unrestricted free agent who should have no issue securing a new deal.
Here's a look at 3 potential landing spots for Clayton Kershaw in free agency
#1 - Los Angeles Dodgers
It's hard to imagine Clayton Kershaw pitching anywhere else besides with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The superstar has spent his entire career with the Dodgers and even though he declined his player option, it does not mean his tenure with the team will be over.
It will be interesting to see how things play out between the two teams because even though the Dodgers brought in Blake Snell in free agency, Kershaw is a team legend. Given his injury history and age, if Kershaw were to return to the Dodgers, there is a chance it could be in a smaller role. No matter what happens, he has cemented himself as one of the best players in Dodgers history.
#2 - Texas Rangers
Even though Kershaw returned to the Dodgers in 2024, there was a realistc chance that he could have made the jump to his hometown team, the Texas Rangers. Born in Dallas, it would make sense for Kershaw to return to Texas at this point of his career, while it would also allow him to pitch for one of the best clubs in the American League.
There was mutual interest between Kershaw and the Rangers last offseason, so it would not exactly be surprising to see him agree to come to Arlington. The Rangers struggled to defend their 2023 World Series title, however, by bringing in a proven star like Clayton Kershaw, they could find themselves right back in the hunt in 2025.
#3 - Kansas City Royals
While the Los Angeles Dodgers or Texas Rangers make the most sense, he would be a interesting fit with the Kansas City Royals as well. The Royals have become one of the best teams in the American League and should contend for the World Series in 2025.
If the team was to add Kershaw, he could be a missing piece that could help it take another step forward. It also helps that Kansas City is roughly 500 milles away from Dallas, so it is relatively close to his hometown compared to many other teams. The Royals need to shore up their pitching rotation and a healthy Clayton Kershaw could be a major move that the team needs.