The Athletic first reported the deal. Kershaw’s deal is expected to be of similar value to the one-year, $17 million deal he signed shortly after the owners’ lockout ended in March. The Dodgers declined to extend Kershaw’s $19.65 million qualifying offer earlier Thursday, as they did early last offseason, largely because they didn’t want to pressure him into making a decision sooner than he would have liked. SeasonsPlayerTotals1969-86Bill Russell181909-26Zack Wheat182008-23Clayton Kershaw16*1966-88Don Sutton161947-62Duke Snider161943-61Pil 1943-61-61-2008-2016Gil Kershaw, 34, continued to perform like one of the best pitchers in the game when healthy last season, going 12-3 with a 2.28 ERA in 126⅓ innings, striking out 137 batters and walking just 23 while starting the All- Star Game from Dodger Stadium. But Kershaw also continued to battle health issues, serving two separate stints on the disabled list because of lower back discomfort. A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Kershaw was widely expected to go year-to-year at this point in his career, but had essentially decided to return for the 2023 season. The Texas Rangers, the team he grew up rooting for , which resides near his offseason home and is now run by his friend, executive Chris Young, were seen as a potential threat to his re-signing with the Dodgers.
1 Related But Kershaw, who deeply appreciates the opportunity to compete for championships on an annual basis, has again chosen to return to the only major league team he has ever pitched for. The Dodgers began the offseason trying to replenish their rotation, but now have four starting pitchers locked up for next year, with Kershaw joining Julio Urias, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin. Tyler Anderson, who broke out as an All-Star last season, received a qualifying offer extension and has until Nov. 20 to accept or decline it. The Dodgers declined the $16 million option on Justin Turner’s contract Thursday, but hope he — like Kershaw — returns in 2023.
