After losing their embarrassing NLDS, the Dodgers faced many questions during the season, notably: What do we do with our free agents?
The Dodgers have 10 players who will become free agents after the World Series: short-distancer Trea Turner, quarterback Kevin Pillar and Joey Gallo; and pitchers Tyler Anderson, Clayton Kershaw, Craig Kimbrel, Chris Martin, Andrew Heaney, Tommy Kahnle and David Price.
Gallo, Kahnle, Martin, Pillar and Price are clear candidates for not re-signing. Kimbrel probably won’t be re-signed by Los Angeles after a lackluster season ended for him did not make the list after the season.
Anderson and Heany are interesting cases in similar situations. Both were signed to one year contracts and watched like reclamation projects. Both were excellent in 2022, with Anderson (2.57 ERA in 178.2 innings) becoming his first All-Star team. Heany misses time through injury but is an attacking machine when he is fit, boasting a 35% rate. Both have earned multi-year contracts.
Kershaw is once again in freelancing, and like before, has speculate on what he might do. Does he still want to play? Will he stay in Los Angeles or play closer to home in Texas?
Kershaw said he plans to compete in 2023 but that could change during the season. Andrew Friedman, Dodgers . President of Baseball Operations said in a press conference that he’s not sure how the team will proceed with him, saying only that “his strong hope is that Clayton Kershaw will play here next year.”
