Texas Rangers Could Pursue Cy Young Winner For 2024 Second Half

The long-running question of whether the Texas Rangers can lure a Dallas native back the Metroplex looms again.

When it comes to pitcher Clayton Kershaw, here we go again.

Clayton Kershaw - Wikipedia

The long-time Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and Dallas native won’t pitch until later this year after shoulder surgery. But it isn’t limiting the possibility that Kershaw could return to the Dallas area in 2024 as a Rangers starter.

The Athletic reported on Friday that the uncertainty over the Rangers’ local television deal may limit their ability to re-sign Jordan Montgomery. If so, the Rangers are developing contingencies.

One of those contingencies could be Kershaw, the three-time Cy Young winner who has only pitched for the Dodgers but has said on multiple occasions that the only other team he would consider pitching for would be the Texas Rangers.

He is not under contract for 2024, the result of his November surgery to repair the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule. He said on social media that he hopes to return at some point next summer.

So how is Kershaw a contingency without a contract? The Athletic spoke to Major League sources that had been briefed on the Rangers’ thinking. One plan could be to sign Kershaw to a reduced contract — assuming Kershaw wants to sign with the Rangers — and wait on both him and Jacob deGrom to return from injury. deGrom is under contract the next four years and hopes to return from Tommy John surgery in August.

Clayton Kershaw undergoes shoulder surgery, 'hopeful' for summer return

Kershaw a connection with Rangers general manager Chris Young. Both went to the same high school, Highland Park.

The Rangers have the latitude to wait because they have Nathan Eovaldi, Max Scherzer, Andrew Heaney, Dane Dunning, Jon Gray and Cody Bradford under contract and ready for 2024.

Or, the Rangers could pursue second-tier starting options on the open market to fill out the rotation. Some of the options included in the piece were Michael Wacha, Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. The Rangers also have prospects like Owen White and Jack Leiter, who could be ready for the second half.

That seems to be the focus for the Rangers. On paper, they appear to have enough to start the season and are looking to position themselves to have fresh arms for the second half, which is where Montgomery really helped Texas.

That’s where a potential deal with Kershaw could really come into play. It would be one heck of a safety net for the Rangers.