Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw is keeping Yasmani Grandal around

Los Angeles Dodgers’ catcher Yasmani Grandal has been the subject of recent Dodgers trade rumors. What is ultimately keeping Grandal around is the ace, Clayton Kershaw.

The Los Angeles Dodgers first acquired catcher Yasmani Grandal prior to the 2015 season in the deal that sent Matt Kemp to the San Diego Padres. Grandal has proven to be one of the best power-hitting catchers in the league. It did not take long for Grandal to assume starting catcher duties from A.J. Ellis, a job that he has held since.

However, Grandal’s performance at the plate may have left the Dodgers wanting more. Consistency has never been Grandal’s forte. In his career, despite all of the home runs, Grandal has only been able to post a .240 batting average.

That inconsistency caught up to Grandal during the 2017 MLB Postseason. Grandal started just two games for the Dodgers in the postseason; backup catcher Austin Barnes started the other 13. Grandal seemingly lost his spot in the postseason, a spot that is now Austin Barnes’ to lose.

With such deep catching depth in the Dodgers’ system and Grandal’s trade value to power-hungry teams, Dodgers trade rumors have emerged around Grandal. With the luxury tax in mind, and the need to re-sign Yu Darvish, Grandal and his $7.9 million owed become even easier to trade.

One thing may be holding the Dodgers back from pulling the trigger, however. That restriction? None other than the ace and face of the franchise Clayton Kershaw.

This is not to say that Kershaw is personally requesting Yasmani Grandal to stay; while his opinion does hold weight, it is hard to see him campaigning for Grandal to stay if that means missing out on Darvish. Kershaw already lost a catching partner, and very close friend, in A.J. Ellis when he was dealt.

Ultimately, what is best for the team is the move the Dodgers are going to make.

What is best for the Los Angeles Dodgers — and for Clayton Kershaw — is keeping Yasmani Grandal around.

Grandal and Kershaw have had a very successful partnership together. The tw have been battery partners on 44 separate occasions, good enough for 297.1 innings of action. With Grandal behind the plate, Kershaw owns a 1.91 ERA and 352 strikeouts (10.65 K/9). Opposing hitters have hit just .195 against him.

That is better than anyone that has come before him; even A.J. Ellis. With Ellis behind the plate, Kershaw owned a 1.97 ERA and 920 strikeouts (9.99 K/9). Opponents also hit .195 against Kershaw with Ellis behind the plate.

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Although Ellis does have a significantly larger sample size it does not take away how good Kershaw is with Grandal behind the dish. Ellis primarily had prime, three-time Cy Young Award winner Kershaw. While he still is one of, if not the, best in baseball; Ellis undoubtedly had the better version of Kershaw.

Most importantly, though, is Kershaw’s performance with Austin Barnes behind the plate. barnes has caught Kershaw seven times. In those 33.2 innings, Kershaw owns a 3.74 ERA and 38 strikeouts (10.16 K/9). Hitters hit .254 against Kershaw with Barnes catching.

Sure, there are likely some outliers in Barnes’ games caught that are skewing the numbers, I get that. Is that a fair overall representation of how Barnes and Kershaw can perform together? Absolutely not.

However, what is undeniable is that Yasmani Grandal is significantly better fielding wise behind the plate than Barnes. You also cannot deny how good Kershaw and Grandal work together. Why risk your ace’s performance for salary cap space that will be freed up after the season anyway?

Next: History indicates a Dodger's regression in 2018

I think many people fail to realize how important a catcher is to his pitcher. Barnes is the great, young upstart with a consistent bat. However, Yasmani Grandal brings that veteran presence, great fielding and the ability to make Kershaw, and others, better.

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