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Blue Jays: Way Too Early 2021 Free Agent Targets

By Callum Belshaw

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 15: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks toward the dugout after retiring the side against the Atlanta Braves during the first 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 walks toward the dugout after retiring the side against the Atlanta Braves during the first 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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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 25: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks back to the dugout after retiring the side against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning in Game Five of the 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field on October 25, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 25: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks back to the dugout after retiring the side against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning in Game Five of the 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field on October 25, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Clayton Kershaw

Could Clayton Kershaw’s time in LA really almost be up?  Before the Dodgers handed over 40 mill a year to Trevor Bauer I would have said no, but now, I think there is a real shot that Kershaw could be looking for a new home next offseason.

The Dodgers are well over the competitive tax threshold and have been for the past three seasons.  The tax is just going to keep growing for them, so I can see them not wanting to spend too much more money.  They also have a couple of big contracts looming with guys like Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger and Walker Buehler on the verge of needing new deals.

Kershaw could become a financial casualty because of this and be forced to leave LA, taking his talents elsewhere.  If Kershaw does end up hitting the open market, it should be a no brainer for the Jays to pursue him.

Kershaw is not only one of the best pitchers of this generation, he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball history.  The Texas native has had a historic 13 year career, posting a 2.43 ERA, a K/9 ration just shy of 10 and has won three Cy Young awards along the way.  Along with having fantastic stuff, Kershaw is also a work horse, tossing 200+ innings 5 times in his career.

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Now Kershaw’s age could be a cause for concern as he’s going to be 33 when he hits free agency, but he has already lost some velocity on his fastball from early in his career and was still dominant, so I think he’s a guy who is going to continue to age well.  Kershaw has lived in Texas and California his whole life so I don’t know how much desire there would be to come to Canada on his part.  Regardless of this, the Jays should still make Kershaw one of their top priorities if he hits free agency next winter as he would immensely improve the rotation.

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