Clayton Kershaw to New York Mets? Major Offerings Could Lure Star Pitcher Away From LA Dodgers

The New York Mets are primed for a special 2022. With owner, Steve Cohen, spending big in the off-season and spending well, the Mets look ready to perform. Having put together a roster to challenge, and back-office staff to tap into their best abilities, the Citi Field will be bullish about housing a World Series trophy come 2023. However, the nature of strong teams is that they strengthen when they are at their best. And the Citi Field mound could see an addition to its rotation. Specifically, with the addition of Clayton Kershaw.

The New York Mets are on course to putting together a winning roster. And with several match-winners already on their card, another surely won’t hurt. Kershaw may not be the same pitcher he used to be at 33. But that’s not anything to say about the quality he can bring to the Mets. Running into free agency this year, the pitcher could have a number of possible destinations but the Mets reportedly could be high on his list.

Clayton Kershaw to the Mets

A report ranks the Mets highly on a list of possible destinations for the pitcher. Hitting free agency in the middle of this lockout, Kershaw could switch the Dodger Stadium to pitch from the Citi Field mound. And the Mets would be that much better for it. Imagine, if you will, the Mets’ starting rotation for the 2022 season.

Having confirmed the signing of Max Scherzer, and already with the talents of Jacob deGrom, formidable would be an understatement. Kershaw’s addition would make the lineup borderline macabre for the batters lining up to face them.

Kershaw’s dominant stretch extended through most of the 2010s. However, that’s not to say his arm doesn’t still have some pop. If the signing does go through, in fact, the Mets will house 7 of the 9 Cy Young Award winners on their roster from 2011 to 2019.

As to how Kershaw could land up with the Mets? A lucrative contract. We already know how Scherzer expressed his preference to stay on the West Coast. He was still lured to the Mets on a $43.3 million deal. And there’s nothing to stop Kershaw from landing something similar.

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Other possible destinations

To be fair, though, Kershaw’s most likely destination remains with the LA Dodgers. He hasn’t known life in another team since he has entered the majors and frankly, the sight of him not sporting Dodger colors is a bit unnatural.

And the feeling seems to be mutual. Even the President of baseball operations for the LA Dodgers echoed the sentiments. “We really want Kersh to come back—not only because of what he’s meant to us looking back, but what he’ll mean for us going forward,” said Andrew Friedman.

And while contract talks had stalled back in November over some minor disagreements, the familiarity of Dodger Stadium should be enough to keep Kershaw in LA.