Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers' future
With the news on Friday that Clayton Kershaw (lower back strain) is on the DL again, the troubling pattern of increasing (and more severe) injuries rears its ugly head again. I’m not in Kershaw’s shoes, so I cannot advise him on what he should or should not do. I can say that I am concerned about his long-term health, both as a fan and as a fellow human being.
Fortunately, the MRI came back as only a muscle strain and not something more severe. His timetable to return is unknown. In the corresponding move, Brock Stewart was called up to LA. Hopefully he’s a short-term solution and not long-term.
Personally, I would not be opposed to the Dodgers trading for a starting pitcher at the All-Star break. Both Hyun-Jin Ryu and Julio Urias are still on the DL and won’t return before then. (Although manager Dave Roberts recently said that Urias could return by the break.) With Urias rehabbing from major shoulder surgery, there is no guarantee as to how effective he will be. However, if they do trade for a starting pitcher, the price could be steeper than usual, perhaps involving giving up either Dennis Santana or Alex Verdugo, or both.
The count is as follows for Dodgers’ starters on the DL: Kershaw, Rich Hill, Ryu, and Urias. That’s 80% of the Dodgers’ rotation that’s on the DL! As far as trading for a pitcher, this pitcher doesn’t necessarily have to be a starter but he should be able to eat innings like Pac-Man gobbles up dots. Perhaps someone like J.A. Happ or Marco Estrada of the Blue Jays could be had. Perhaps Bartolo Colon of the Rangers could be acquired. He would come pretty cheap. If the team wants to go higher end, they could pursue Michael Fulmer and try to pry him away from Detroit. Or the Dodgers may have some pitcher in mind that’s under everyone’s radar but they have their eye on.
Perhaps the Dodgers stand pat when it’s all said and done. Dennis Santana may emerge as a quality starter with ace potential. Both Walker Buehler and Ross Stripling have been pitching like aces this month. Hill should return shortly from his blister issues. Alex Wood should be able to turn it around at some point. He’ll be fine. I’m not holding my breath, but Stewart might end up being that innings eater that saves the pen from overwork. The rotation for the foreseeable future could be: Buehler, Hill, Stripling, Wood, and Santana.
In conclusion, we are getting a glimpse into the post-Kershaw era. Kershaw has been great, the best pitcher of this generation. He’s given us many a thrill, including that incredible 2014 season in which he was so dominant in winning the NL Cy Young Award and the NL MVP. Oh, and he also threw his only no-hitter that season vs. the Rockies. The Dodgers should start preparing for the post-Clayton Kershaw era. But in the meantime, let's enjoy the greatness that is Clayton Kershaw. The time will come soon, maybe sooner than we think, when Kershaw announces his retirement. Father Time is approaching, and his footsteps are getting louder.
