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Braves: Could Clayton Kersahw be Worth the Risk

By Jake Mastroianni

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 15: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers fields the ball against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning in Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 15, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 15: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers fields the ball against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning in Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 15, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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As we continue to look around for free agent starting pitchers, the Atlanta Braves could take a chance on someone like Clayton Kershaw.

Since most Atlanta Braves fans didn’t love my idea of potentially bringing back Drew Smyly on a small one-year deal, maybe you’ll like the idea of brining in a bigger name on a short deal.

Some believe Clayton Kershaw will either return to the Dodgers, play for his hometown Texas Rangers, or call it quits.

I find it kind of hard to believe one of the best starting pitchers of this generation will go out like that, especially at the age of 33 — will turn 34 in March.

Kershaw has always been one of my favorite pitchers. I can remember listening to a Braves-Dodgers game on the radio in the summer of 2010 while I was working in Minor League Baseball.

Listening to Vin Scully describe the up-and-coming superstar for the Dodgers is a memory I haven’t easily forgotten. When Scully lights up over a player like that, you tend to take notice.

Sure enough, Kershaw would break out in that 2010 season and then win his first Cy Young the following year.

Now, over 14 years with the Dodgers, he’s 184-84 with a 2.49 ERA in 2,454.2 innings with 2,670 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.00 along with 3 Cy Youngs and an MVP.

How Does He Fit With the Braves?

Kershaw is likely searching for a one-year deal with a high AAV, something the Braves are known for doing.

However, you could say they’ve already made that one move for the starting rotation with Charlie Morton who will make $20 million in 2022.

It seems unlikely the Braves would give out a similar deal like that for Kershaw, especially with his injury issues.

His injury is apparently scary enough that the Dodgers didn’t even make him a qualifying offer.

The fit is obvious, when healthy, Kershaw is still one of the best pitchers in all of baseball and has tons of postseason experience.

This past season he was 10-8 for the Dodgers with a 3.55 ERA in 121.2 innings with 144 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.02.

Imagine the wealth of knowledge that he could pass on to guys like Max Fried, Tucker Davidson, and Kyle Muller.

That’s essentially what the Braves paid Cole Hamels $18 million for in 2020.

It seems unlikely. Kershaw has already put together a Hall of Fame career and I’m not aware of any connection to Atlanta that would make him want to play there.

This is more just a fantasy dream of mine as I love watching Kershaw pitch and compete.

dark. Next. More External OF Candidates

Maybe if the price tag comes down to the $15 million range for one year or, a smaller AAV that is heavily incentivized, then the Braves could get involved.

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