Where Does Kershaw End Up in 2022?

On Sunday, November 10th, the MLB set the deadline for qualifying offers. Players like Brandon Belt, Michael Conforto, and Trevor Story have all received qualifying offers from their respective teams for the 2022 MLB season. A qualifying offer is a standard $18.4 million, one-year deal that is usually offered to a player when a team can’t afford to pay them more, or the player isn’t worth too much. This can give players like Marcus Stroman, the chance to prove why they need more money. The 3-time Cy Young award winner, Clayton Kershaw was not given a QO this past week. His teammates Chris Taylor and Corey Seager were both offered to come back and play for the Dodgers in 2022 under a qualifying offer contract. Doing so will allow the Dodgers to receive compensation draft picks if they choose to sign with another team. The 33-year MLB veteran has had injury struggles between his back, forearm, and bicep from the past 6 years. This is probably why LA has not resigned him just yet. The Dodgers president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman stated, “We’ve made it very clear that if Kershaw wants to come back, he will always have a spot”. Does this actually mean Kershaw will receive an offer going into the 2022 season? The LA Times have said that Kershaw should retire, and he is done for his career. The Athletic thinks the Rangers should pursue him. Texas still must decide if they will resign Jordan Lyles or Mike Foltynewicz back to their rotation. If Kershaw signs with them, I could only imagine that it would be a 3–4-year deal. Texas may or may not have learned when they signed Corey Kluber in 2020. He gave them one inning of work, then became a great pitcher again this past season in the Bronx. Does Kershaw try to stay with the Dodgers? Will he jump ship to the other side of LA and help the dreading Angels fans who want to see Mike Trout have some backup? Will he become the ace of the Rangers and stay in the spotlight like Zack Greinke, or will he fall down hard like his former Freeway Series counterpart, Madison Bumgarner? Whatever choice he makes, we are waiting to see where the 8-time all-star decides to call home for 2022.

SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE

15-Year MLB Vet Hangs Up His Cleats

Author: Spencer Reyes

Editor: Mark Awadallah

On Monday, December 21st, the versatile, utility fielder Howie Kendrick retired from professional baseball. Fans of the 37-year-old found out from his latest Instagram post, where he thanked his previous successors, the Angels, Dodgers, and Nationals for believing in him and giving him a spot on their rosters. Kendrick has played almost every position on the field in the MLB except for shortstop and catcher, making him the true definition of a utility man. He has had his fair share of postseason experience by participating in 13 different series for 8 years on three different teams. It took the MLB vet quite some time, but after 14 years of playing in the MLB, he finally won a World Series ring with the Washington Nationals, in 2019. Just two seasons ago, he earned the NLCS MVP award and delivered the go-ahead home run for the Nationals in Game 7 to win the World Series. Kendrick had to sit out the later end of this past season when he pulled his left hamstring which ultimately led to the end of his slugging career. In 15 years, he has had a career batting average of .294, .430 slugging %, 127 home runs, 792 runs, and 724 RBI’s.

Kendrick was always known as a threat to pitchers across baseball. His legacy of extra base hits, fielding ability, and coming in clutch will be remembered by fans across the luxurious sport and will really shine when he becomes eligible for the 2026 Cooperstown Hall of Fame class. Don’t be surprised when he is voted in by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. We wish him the best in retirement. Kendrick’s goodbye was also wholesome and heartfelt:

"To the fans, without your support and love for the game, our stage and lights would not shine as brightly as they do. Know you will be missed as well. I will always love the game of baseball and will constantly reflect on the lifelong memories made. For now, it's time to drop the mic and enter a new stage of my life" -Howie Kendrick

SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE