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3 longtime Dodgers who (might have) played their final game in LA

By Thomas Carannante |
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 11: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on during game one of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on October 11, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 11: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on during game one of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on October 11, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Woah, man. It took Justin Turner nearly 10 days to process the Los Angeles Dodgers’ early exit from the postseason. It’s unclear if LA fans, even after the San Diego Padres’ elimination, have been able to do the same.

The 111-win season went down the tubes, in part due to untimely injuries, poor managing, and cold bats. It’s the worst feeling. No wonder Dodgers fans approach every postseason with pessimism despite frequently being the most dominant throughout the regular season.

The 2023 campaign doesn’t exactly paint a better picture off the bat, either. The Dodgers have a lot of questions to answer in regard to their current cast of players in addition to others who are hitting free agency and may not return.

But most importantly, this team stands to lose a number of core players who have defined this era of Dodgers baseball. Though there aren’t plentiful World Series titles to show for it, the positive contributions that netted individual awards, consistent winning play, and national recognition deserve merit.

The Dodgers stand to lose talent … and also influential voices/leaders. The identity of this roster could be in danger.

These 3 longtime Dodgers might have played their final game in LA

Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

3. Cody Bellinger

The cat’s been out of the bag here for the second straight offseason. Cody Bellinger has cost the Dodgers $17 million each of the last two years and has delivered next to nothing outside of very good defense in center field.

You might look at his counting numbers from 2022 and say, “Well, that’s an improvement from 2021!”, and you’d be right. However, he was worth just 1.2 WAR. His 78 OPS+ was 22% below average. The Dodgers benched him in the playoffs.

Since the start of 2020, Bellinger’s accumulated just 1.2 total WAR. He was among the literal worst players in baseball in 2021. His hitting mechanics have visibly changed, and they’re visibly worse. It’s a shame it’s reached this point, but it has. We wish it hadn’t.

As much as Bellinger was on his way to becoming a franchise legend, his last three seasons did the same in making him a near footnote. Do the Dodgers roll the dice on a $20 million salary for Belli in 2023 when guys like Aaron Judge, Brandon Nimmo and other superior options will be available? Not so sure about that.

Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /

2. Justin Turner

If you haven’t heard by now, we’ll remind you again: Justin Turner has a $16 million team option (with a $2 million buyout) for the 2023 season, and the Dodgers’ top decision makers were non-committal when discussing it after the team’s playoff exit. 

Turner wouldn’t answer questions about it after the team’s Game 4 loss in the NLDS to the San Diego Padres. It’s clearly a touchy subject for all. Why?

Well, Turner is entering his age-38 season. His first half of 2022 was dreadful. His defense is on the decline. Top prospect Miguel Vargas is waiting in the wings. Another early playoff exit more than likely has the front office trying to free up as much money as possible to add to the stacked roster.

Who knows? Maybe the option is picked up and Turner comes back as more of a DH option and clubhouse leader. That’s worth $16 million, if you ask us. But there’s a lot more to consider.

One more person on this list is a free agent, as are Trea Turner, Tyler Anderson, Andrew Heaney and Tommy Kahnle. Money needs to be earmarked for a Julio Urías extension. And don’t forget about Joey Gallo and Craig Kimbrel! Just kidding. But those other six? Significant. And if they leave, replacements need to be found.

So with a younger, much cheaper third base option ready to make the transition, the Dodgers could be cutthroat in their decision to let Turner go. We’ve seen teams do much worse than this.

Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

1. Clayton Kershaw

This is not a matter of the Dodgers’ interest — it’s a matter of Kershaw wanting to continue playing baseball, or whether he wants to play closer to home in Texas with the Rangers.

After LA’s season ended, Kershaw said he’s leaning towards playing in 2023, but provided no further details. Last offseason, after he finally re-signed with the Dodgers, he revealed it came down to LA and Texas. So that scenario is very, very real.

Then there’s retirement. Kershaw, an unquestioned first-ballot Hall of Famer, has been breaking down for quite a while now. He hasn’t pitched a full season since 2015. Most recently, back and elbow issues kept him limited. And the back issues have been recurring.

There’s a world in which Kershaw is content with hanging up his cleats. He’s one of the best pitchers of his generation. He won a World Series (regardless what the baseball community at large thinks about it). He’s captured three Cy Youngs and an MVP. He’s won five ERA titles. He’s led the league in wins and strikeouts three times. Outside of his postseason blemishes and injury-shortened seasons, he’s had one of the best careers in the history of the sport.

Perhaps the Dodgers’ aggression in free agency and on the trade market will influence Kersh’s next move. If they stack up for another dominant run in 2023, that could tip the scales. If they don’t, maybe a couple more seasons in Texas on his own terms will close the chapter on his career.

Ugh, but under Bruce Bochy. Come on. Can’t let this happen.

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