The Dodgers have added Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki to a rotation already expected to return Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow. Injured righties Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin are both in line to be ready for Opening Day as well. That’s six viable rotation arms, before even accounting for younger pitchers who’ve now been pushed into depth roles: Bobby Miller, Justin Wrobleski, Landon Knack and Ben Casparius among them.
Despite that stock of arms, the organization still seems open to and likely to re-sign lefty Clayton Kershaw. General manager Brandon Gomes said yesterday that the newcomers on the pitching staff haven’t altered the team’s interest in Kershaw (via Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register). Kershaw, 37 in March, is recovering surgery to repair a torn meniscus and a second surgery to address bone spurs and a ruptured plantar plate in his foot. He’s working through a throwing program but is not yet pitching off a mound, per Gomes.
In each of the past two offseasons, there’s been at least a bit of intrigue as to where the future Hall of Famer might sign. It was a two-team market in those instances, with Kershaw expected to either remain in L.A. or sign a short-term deal with the Rangers, who play within driving distance of his Texas home. After the Dodgers captured a World Series title last year, however, Kershaw declared himself a “Dodger for life.” He subsequently reiterated to The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya not long after that he planned to be back with the Dodgers for an 18th season in 2025.
Given that a reunion is something of a fait accompli, it seems there’s no rush to get a contract finalized. Kershaw declined a player option back in November. The two parties are widely expected to work out a new arrangement. From the Dodgers’ vantage point, it’d be beneficial to hold off on formalizing anything until spring training has commenced. They’re already facing a 40-man roster crunch with the looming but not-yet-finalized deals with Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates.
The Dodgers need to open one 40-man spot for that pair — they’re currently at 39 players — and re-signing Kershaw now would mean jettisoning a second 40-man player. If he signs after camp opens, though, the Dodgers will be able to accommodate his addition by placing an injured player on the 60-day IL. The Dodgers have a whopping five pitchers who are on the 40-man and recovering from major surgeries. Brusdar Graterol will miss the first half of the season following shoulder surgery. Gavin Stone had shoulder surgery in October and could miss the entire 2025 season. Each of River Ryan (Aug. 25), Kyle Hurt (July 30) and Emmet Sheehan (May 16) had Tommy John surgery last year. They’ll all very likely be placed on the 60-day IL at some point.
The aforementioned knee and foot injuries, paired with Kershaw’s rehab from Nov. 2023 shoulder surgery, combined to limit the three-time Cy Young winner to just 30 innings in 2024. He posted a 4.50 ERA with an 18% strikeout rate and 6.8% walk rate, showing strong command but uncharacteristically low swing-and-miss abilities. Kershaw’s fastball sat at a career-low 89.9 mph on average last season, and his slider and curveball each saw a dip in velo as well (particularly the latter).
There’s no telling the extent to which he can regain some of the lost velocity, but from 2019-23, Kershaw notched a 2.77 ERA and 27.5% strikeout rate over 616 1/3 innings even while averaging just 90.7 mph on his heater. He doesn’t need to get his velocity back up to or even close to its 93-94 mph peak to have success. The Dodgers are in the top tier of luxury penalization yet again, so any dollars allocated to Kershaw will come with a 110% tax.
i would hope so. really really hope so
Team does need an Adam Sandler type of waterboy.
Type? They’ll probably sign Adam Sandler to do it. Of course then have to make toom for Rob Schneider too.
I think this article is missing someone very important. Ohtani plans to pitch.
He may need more time than most expect. Some do well and hit the ground running, some never recover.
6 man rotation would mean 26-27 starts each. Not many of those Dodger arms will make it to the hill 26 times.
8 guys taking to the mound 20 times each is probably more like it based on injury history.
Kersh is just one of the 8
At this point, I’d be shocked if he pitches 100 innings in a season and would honestly be a little surprised if he pitches again. Dodgers have SO much depth and unlimited resources that they may just want him to hit every day and that’s it. I got a lot of heat for saying that before but we’ll see. It’s not like they even need him to pitch, he’s a unique case in that he’s an elite hitter and an actual investment that allows them to corner the market on all Japanese talent.
If Ohtani no longer pitches he would potentially be seen as less in the eyes of the Japanese market as well as mlb overall. From a bsseball perspective, certainly not worth the similar contract to soto as a hitter only considering the large age difference…imo if he is only hitter he better learn a position in the field as his overall value takes a big hit..this is why he is definitly pitching
He may definitely try to pitch, I expect that much, but to say he’ll be successful at it, time will tell. TJ surgery isn’t a cure all surgery. Look at Buehler. Had it twice and although he did well in the postseason, he has struggled in the season. Ohtani will be handled with kids gloves for at least this season and see if he can get stretched back out, along with velocity and accuracy. Ray had a tough time last year also.
@Pool
I don’t think you have a true appreciation of the historical seasons that Ohtani and Judge had last year. Consider this:
From 1990-2010, there were 40 guys that hit over. 300 bat avg. 20 guys have an OBP of .400. Only two, Bonds and Pujols, have had a slugging of. 700+.
In this post-steroid era, when offensive numbers are down, only 7 guys hit. 300+ last year. only 2 had an OBP of .400+ and only 3 had a slugging of .600+. Ohtani hit .310/.390/.646 but also had an amazing 50 homers and 50 SB. That’s completely ridiculous. You have to go way back between 1925-1955 or the steroid era (1994-2004) to see players with that .300/.400/.600 profile. If Ohtani never pitched again, yes, he would lose some of his nuance, but it was bound to happen eventually. If he never hit again, he would still be a perennial MVP caliber player if he keeps hitting the way he sits last year.
Nothing is certain in baseball except somebody will win, somebody will lose, or it rains. Beyond that it’s all educated guesswork. But if anything else is close to certain it’s that no matter what Ohtani accomplishes in this game, he will continue to be underestimated.
Assistant Pitching Coach?
It’s probably about time for Kershaw to retire. I don’t know if LA gets past the NLDS if Kershaw is starting a game.
He won’t be. He’s no better than the 5th best SP on that team.
That’s assuming the Dodgers can keep a rotation healthy
Agree that he needs to retire. He’s not the pitcher he used to be and the Dodgers don’t really need him anymore. It’s more like ‘they owe’ him, than they ‘need him.’
Almost nobody is the pitcher Kershaw used to be. The organization doesn’t “owe” him anything. Dodgers fans want to see him back.
What r u talking about? His recent numbers are fantastic and he’s not crazy old.
The Dodger starter who led the team in wins, ERA, innings pitched, and strikeouts in 2023, just a season ago, was………Clayton Kershaw.
@Dig
Lol at Chris Sale? Who knows what Ker has left until he takes the mound. But more than likely the Dodgers won’t start 5 pitchers in the playoffs, if they make it. So it’s doubtful that anyone nit named Snell, Yammy, Sasaki or Glasnow will start.
I was referring to Kershaw taking the mound in the 2024 NLDS. I’m not sure they get past the Padres if Kershaw starts.
I’d be pleasantly surprised if Glasgow is still standing at the end of the season. Elbow issues last year raise the fear of another TJS which will be his second.
Glasnow Damn spell check.
What does Scotland have to do with it?
Kershaw being on the roster does not mean he would start a playoff game. In fact I’m almost sure he wouldn’t.
He needs 32 strikeouts for 3,000. He ain’t quitting.
Dodgers roster would not be complete without our future HOF…
Death and taxes, Kershaw re-signing with the Dodgers. No one should be upset by this move I would hope.
6 guys, plus Ohtani at some point this season. Not sure how Kershaw fits into this.
Not really. May and Gonsolin are unlikely to be in unrestricted starter roles. at least at start of the season. The current lineup with Kershaw makes six.
I thought they would move May to the bullpen, but now with all the bullpen signings I’m not so sure.
Somebody has to be traded. If I was a betting man I’d put my money on Braiser or Banda.
They both have options as well, from what I can see.
All of the pitchers mentioned have extensive injury histories. That’s how he fits in.
Exactly.
Maybe Detroit can get Gonsolin or May since they won’t spend for Flaherty. Maybe even Miller.
Most of the Dodgers starters come with significant injury risk.
32 more strikeouts! come on Kersh!
^this^
Exactly what I thought. He wants to pass 3,000 K’s.
Isn’t it funny, though, how Grienke sort of gave up on it, needing only 21 more.
Wouldn’t it be beneficial to announce one of the reliver signings (like Yates) when they have to open a spot for Kershaw (probably the day they can 60-Day IL him)? That way, you sign Kershaw, open a spot on 40-man for him, put him on IL, and that opens a spot for Yates.
No 60 day IL before ST starts. It doesn’t apply in the off-season.
That’s what I’m saying. Why don’t they wait to even announce the Yates signing (don’t even say there is an agreement) until the start of ST, when you plan on signing Kershaw as well. It wouldn’t be that unbelievable that Yates at his age is signing that late.
Got to keep that “intrigue” alive, even when it was blinding obvious that Kershaw would never be anything but a Dodger to the day he hangs up his cleats.
Don’t tell that Rangers guy around here. He’s going to be devastated… again.
Dodgers have several starters with inning limits. If Kershaw can pitch 15-16 games with an ERA around 3.00, he will help keep the other starters healthy for post-season while trying to ensure that the Dodgers have a bye and home field advantage. Kershaw and everyone else will be happy to see him get fifty strikeouts to exceed three thousand for his career. He’ll be back. I do think 2025 will be his last season if he exceeds three thousand strikeouts, regardless of the post-season outcome.
Step it up, Dodgers! That 9th SP won’t sign itself.
Must be nice to have so much starting pitching depth that you could field two whole MLB rotations and still have an extra starting pitcher for each rotation.
Why stop there – what would be really cool is to have THREE full MLB rotations along with an All Star replacement for all the position players.
I’m sure that the MLB already investigated for when Kershaw will sign for the amount that his declined player option was for and they didn’t already have a deal in place at that time to subvert the 40 man roster rules.
“It’s all above board” – Rob Manfred
What’s to investigate? Kershaw has repeatedly said he wants to be a Dodger for life. Dodger front office said they want him to be Dodger for life. Kershaw is an ultimate team player and wants to help team anyway he can, so while injured he remains unsigned.
Really might as well keep that player-team marriage alive for another year.
Can never have enough pitching.
$16.2M signing bonus, $1.62M base salary, $32.4M deferred over 10 years starting in 2026- it’s the Dodgers way.
1 year 20 Million
19 Million of the 20 Million is deferred.
Am I the only one who sees a pattern of each year the Dodgers needing to replace/upgrade for a pitcher whose arm they’ve blown out and he now requires surgery?
Yeah, Dodgers are one of the top offenders of sacrificing arms to the machine because they can.
Is there any specific behavior that you can point to that indicates that they’re “sacrificing arms to the machine because they can”? Or is it just that it feels like they have had a lot of pitchers go under the knife over the years?
Correlation does not imply causation
Mm.. correlation IMPLYS a relationship, that could by causation.
It does not require causation, this is correct.
There could be plenty of reasons LA arms break, perhaps too many reps patting themselves on the back, maybe it’s because the don’t give a faulk, could be the smog, or maybe the team doesn’t do good long term care for its players.
But the trend seems to be that Dodger arms don’t last all season.
I’m curious how many of Ohtani contract years hell be able to pitch, 6? I’m thinking 6.
Nah, it’s something in the water. It can’t be anything else. It definitely isn’t just bad luck. Because, you know.
Kershaw is a joke for even thinking he has a place in the cheating Dodger organization lmmfao
tell me how they’ve cheated? I’ll wait
Please don’t feed the trolls.
but they’re hungry
Dodgers had Eric Gagne pitching and Manny Ramirez hitting while using steroids. Did they know? I don’t know. Other than that, Dodgers have been squeaky clean.
People hate the Astros but forget the Red Sox did the same thing. Also remember the Cardinals stealing scouting info? People went to jail for that lol
Maybe pull the Clemens and have him get in shape for a couple months then pitch the second half of the year.
Minus Kersh cycling through a ton of roids during his break, of course.
You’ve had better comments.
Kershaw is done.
But if the Dodgers want to throw more money at him, go ahead.
I hear Kershaw’s still deciding between the Dodgers and the Blue Jays.
So many haters. Kersh is great and will be lucky to appear in 8-10 games. 5 or 6 starts is more likely. He’s chasing 3,000 K’s and is almost there. Dodgers have tons of pitching but guys will be hurt by August, which is when Kersh will likely toe the rubber.
How do dodgers have space
They have a 67 man roster currently
Clayton’s peak velocity was 96-97.
I hope Kershaw comes back for one last season and gets his 3000 Ks but it will be with that nasty breaking ball because when your “heater” is sitting at 90 mph that is what a change up or sinker is unless he spots it really well otherwise it’s going to be in the seats.
He will be a 1st ballot HOF
What? No mention of Ohtani in the rotation? Do you know something we don’t?
@oneear
Ohtani is cooked as a pitcher. Even Fangraphs doesn’t have him as a depth pitcher. He’ll be full-time DH from now on.
Wrong
Seems like Ohtani was signed with intention of using him as a SP. I mean, the Dodgers are spending like drunk kids on Spring Break, but $700m for a DH only player? That’s even a little outside the realm of reality for LA.
Or is it?
They should’ve made him the closer. That way, he’s a little less likely to get hurt and his bat be out of the lineup. Yet they still get production from him as a pitcher. Too late now though, with them having 45 closers already.
Cue someone asking if Kershaw will pitch for the Dodgers again in every MLBTR chat til he signs anyway
He’s Dodger royalty. Kershaw’s too proud if he’s stinking it up he’ll quit, he won’t linger like some faded stars do. Even if he has subpar yr Dodgers can carry em w/this team. Not in his heyday anymore but has real good #s last cpl seasons. With em its health. Chase another WS n go out on top.
Having Kersh in the dugout and clubhouse is almost enough. Anything he gives the team on the mound is gravy.
The jays should offer a huge contract….just to move the $ amount up.
Tigers should try and get Gonsolin, Miller or May from them
Players are going to start paying the Dodgers just so they can play there. Ohtani did.
So he declined his 10 million dollar option now wants a reunion . This is interesting let’s see how this works out.
He declined it as a courtesy to the Dodgers and it helps free up a 40-man roster spot. A reunion was always on the table as he’s not pitching elsewhere. He’ll probably sign when he feels he’s ready to go and the Dodgers will find a role for him.
Well of course he’s coming home to d*ddy! The city is on fire so they desperately need to buy a sixth starter who is on a retainer. It truly never is enough for this greedy pigs. But I guess if they resign Kershaw they can actually have one homegrown pitcher in their rotation (albeit one who has resigned as a high priced FA about a half-dozen times). Scumbags.
What’s the hold up? They have infinite monies.
Can’t they just do a $15 million minor league contract and select it after there are sufficient season-ending injuries? Or is OK City out of roster spots too?
The league would probably take issue for that high amount because it would appear that they’re skirting around the 40-man roster rule. It may work for a really low base but Kershaw isn’t going to take that.