Dodgers News: Insider provides update on Clayton Kershaw, Kike Hernández to rival?

The Dodgers have pumped the brakes a little on their headline-making offseason additions, with the latest notable transaction with the Cubs more of a roster-clearing effort than anything else. They're not done and can't be done by any means, but things have been quieter since Teoscar Hernández was officially added to the roster.

Still, there are updates on the state of the rotation and the future of a beloved fan favorite who hit free agency after the 2023 season. The Dodgers are still in need of another starter and could have one in their back pocket should he chose to return. After adding more roster depth, is it possible the LA Angels poach a former Dodger in the coming days/weeks?

Will Clayton Kershaw rejoin the Dodgers?

The Dodgers' rotation is the team's biggest question now even with the additions of Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow. Bobby Miller's sophomore season is a big one. It's unclear if the No. 5 spot will go to Emmet Sheehan. Walker Buehler isn't expected to be ready for the start of 2024.

And also ... what's the deal with Clayton Kershaw? He has been signing one-year deals with the team since 2022, leaving room for him to explore free agency/contemplate retirement at the end of each season. He chose to return to the Dodgers for 2023, but there are no promises that he'll be back in 2024.

A lifelong Dodger and most likely a first-ballot Hall of Famer, it would only make sense for Kershaw to close out his illustrious career in LA. Despite his age, he's still managed to give the team over 40 starts and a 2.37 ERA over the last two years. Things have been quiet on the Kershaw front so far this offseason, but his return has always been a possibility. Jim Bowden of The Athletic provided an update on where the Dodgers stand: they're "keeping the door open" for him.

The Dodgers have depth with Sheehan, who, if Kershaw does return, would still need to make starts until the summer while Kershaw recovers from a shoulder surgery. Even with more limited availability, getting him back would still be valuable to the team from a chemistry standpoint. It seems like the ball is in Kershaw's court now, but it's reassuring that the Dodgers are willing to keep a place open for him until he makes a choice.

Could Kiké Hernández sign with a crosstown rival?

Following their signing of Teoscar Hernández, which will bump Chris Taylor out of the outfield and back into a utility role, the Dodgers pretty much closed the door on a reunion with fan favorite Kiké Hernández. With Gavin Lux returning from injury to play shortstop, there just isn't a place for Kiké anymore, it would seem. However, with the pool for free agents shortstops being as shallow as it is this offseason, it makes sense that other teams would be interested in picking him up.

Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Angels have expressed interest in Hernández. He played all over the infield and outfield in 2023, and the Angels need more options in the infield (and more options in general after the loss of Shohei Ohtani). Luis Rengifo is a valuable utility man for them, but with Anthony Rendon's dubious absence, they desperately need more infield contributors.

The Dodgers got Hernández back near the trade deadline last year to give their infield some much needed support, but now they just won't be able to accommodate a return. The Angels, on the other hand, are in dire straits, so they could look to him as a much needed stopgap.

Two unresolved Dodgers situations might find a conclusion soon enough.