Should the Detroit Tigers sign any of these former star pitchers?

3) LHP Clayton Kershaw

Seeing Clayton Kershaw in a different uniform after 14 years with the Dodgers would certainly take some getting used to, but Kershaw would be the most reliable and the youngest of the group. Arguably, he may be the best pitcher left on the market.

It seems likely that Kershaw, who doesn’t need to chase dollars this deep into his career, would return to the Dodgers, even if it was at a discount. Even if he didn’t return, though, there are more logical fits and more attractive options to Kershaw that could use his services.

Kershaw went to school just 25 miles from Arlington, which would make the Texas Rangers an intriguing route–especially considering they’ve already flexed their financial muscle by signing Marcus Semien and Corey Seager following their 102-loss last-place finish in 2021.

Or, perhaps he could follow his teammate Max Scherzer to New York to play for a team poised to make noise in the NL East. Big markets can be intimidating to some, but given Kershaw’s history in Los Angeles, those butterflies and that media pressure would be a non-factor in his decision.

The Detroit Tigers should sign one of the best pitchers in the history of the game, even entering his age-34 season. They just won’t have the chance to do so.