Los Angeles Dodgers: Five teams that could snag Clayton Kershaw

3. Atlanta Braves

• Current 2019 payroll: $59.2 million

You are going to notice a trend with the two teams listed at number three and number two.

The Atlanta Braves are very much in the same boat as the Philadelphia Phillies. This is a young team that is already exceeding expectations and made it to the playoffs a year earlier than anyone expected this season.

Unfortunately for the Braves, the team ran up against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were the most talented team in the National League and hungry for another shot at the World Series. Although the Braves won Game 3 and made Game 4 interesting, the Dodgers were not going to be stopped in the NLDS.

However, the Braves are set up very nicely to contend for many years ahead and have the money to pay a frontline starter like Kershaw. If the team was going to spend on anything this winter it would have to be starting pitching as the team lacks a true ace.

As it currently stands, the locks for the starting rotation in Atlanta are Mike Foltynewicz, Sean Newcomb, Kevin Gausman and Julio Teheran with the fifth spot up for grabs. That is where Kershaw can come in, be the true ace the team needs and guide a young team to the promise land.

What makes the Braves rank third, and ultimately what put the Phillies at fourth, is indeed the youth. While it is promising for the future of the franchise, for a guy like Clayton Kershaw, who wants to win now, patience might not be the key.

Clayton Kershaw has made one career start in the brand new SunTrust Park, allowing just one run over seven and two-thirds innings.