Los Angeles Dodgers: Five teams that could snag Clayton Kershaw
By Jason Reed
4. Philadelphia Phillies
- Current 2019 payroll: $68.9 million
The Seattle Mariners are going to be playoff contenders next season and outside of one exception, all the teams that could be connected to Kershaw will be playoff teams. Again, money talks but Kershaw genuinely seems like a guy that cares about his legacy and wants to win just one World Series ring.
One of the contenders with the lowest payroll is the Philadelphia Phillies, who boast a young roster that is ready to win the National League East next season.
The Phillies likely starting rotation next season will be Aaron Nola, Jake Arrieta, Nick Pivetta, Vince Velasquez and Zach Eflin. That is already a fairly decent rotation that would become one of the best in baseball by adding an arm like Kershaw.
The trio of Kershaw, Nola and Arrieta atop the rotation is terrifying and one that could playoff series with ease, assuming that Kershaw performs in the postseason.
Philadelphia really only has one big contract in Jake Arrieta so the team can definitely afford to give Kershaw the deal he wants. Money is not an issue at all with the Phillies.
However, what makes them just the second team listed is the fact that the team very well could be pursuing big-name hitters such as Bryce Harper or Manny Machado.
Clayton Kershaw has made seven starts at Citizen Bank Park, owning a 4.01 ERA across 42.2 innings pitched alongside 42 strikeouts.