Nolan Writin'
Fansided

Texas Rangers should pursue this legendary LA lefty in 2021-22

By Tyler Henderson

Oct 7, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches against the San Diego Padres during the first inning in game two of the 2020 NLDS at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches against the San Diego Padres during the first inning in game two of the 2020 NLDS at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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There has been a lot of hype surrounding Trevor Story to the Texas Rangers. So, why not bring another Dallas native back home next offseason?

The Texas Rangers and Trevor Story would be a match made in heaven, but is there another homecoming they should pursue?

I say yes.

If the Texas Rangers want to win the offseason next year, they should bring home Story and now-World Series champion Clayton Kershaw.

Yes, this is an outlandish wish, but if the Texas Rangers have the money to spend, I think this would be a no-brainer.

Hear me out, though, because a Kershaw-Rangers homecoming could make sense.

After the 2021 season, the Texas Rangers are losing starter Jordan Lyles and they would need to fill a spot in the rotation.

Lyles is not a franchise-changing pitcher, in fact, he’s had one good half season over the course of his decade in the big leagues.

Clayton Kershaw presents an obvious and immediate upgrade over Lyles.

For the 2021 season, the Texas Rangers projected starting rotation features no left-handers.

As of today, the Rangers rotation is headlined by Kyle Gibson, Lyles, Dane Dunning, Kohei Arihara and recently signed Mike Foltynewicz.

Texas should ideally break up their right-handers, meaning Clayton Kershaw would slot in at the top-of-the-rotation nicely.

Clayton Kershaw and the Texas Rangers seem like a good pairing.

Keep in mind, too, that the Los Angeles Dodgers have a lot of young studs coming up in the rotation.

The likes of Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, Josiah Gray are all up-and-coming stars for them.

Don’t forget about David Price, Walker Buehler and newly-acquired Trevor Bauer, either.

Clayton Kershaw is an elite starting pitcher with a Hall of Fame projection. Plus, he is still very productive in his early-30s.

In 2020, Kershaw went 6-2 with a 2.16 ERA over 58.1 innings.

Baseball Reference also projects Kershaw to have another solid season in 2021, predicting him to go 12-6 with a 3.29 ERA over 156 innings.

That’s still very solid production from the Highland Park, Texas native.

Just imagine if the Texas Rangers could bring in both Trevor Story to boost the offense, and then Clayton Kershaw to solidify the Texas rotation.

Story and Kershaw could fast-forward the Texas Rangers rebuild and be the faces of the next great Rangers postseason teams.

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