The prior week in MLB was about a team in the National League signing a starting pitcher to a multi-year extension, a pitcher will be sidelined for the entire postseason, and a team in the American League hopes to add a veteran pitcher in the starting rotation.
Colorado Rockies Sign Pitcher Antonio Senzatela to Five-Year Contract Extension
According to a team announcement, the Colorado Rockies have signed starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela to a five-year contract extension plus a team option for a sixth year.
The Colorado Rockies announced today that they have agreed to terms with 1B C.J. Cron on a two-year contract that covers the 2022-23 seasons, and have agreed to terms with RHP Antonio Senzatela on a five-year contract that covers the 2022-26 seasons with an option for 2027.
— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) October 5, 2021
The extension for Senzatela is worth $50.5 million, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.
The right-handed pitcher was set to be arbitration-eligible for two more seasons before entering free agency after the 2023 season.
Now, he will be under contract with the Rockies through at least 2026.
Senzatela is coming off a decent year with the Rockies.
He posted a 4.42 ERA in 156 2/3 innings pitched (28 starts) with 105 strikeouts, 32 walks allowed, 12 home runs surrendered, a 108 ERA+, and a 3.61 FIP.
This was the first time since 2017 that Senzatela tossed more than 130 innings.
He showed some flashes of brilliance during the 2020 season, and the Rockies have a decent starting pitcher signed to a team-friendly deal.
Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher Clayton Kershaw Has No Ligament Damage, But Will Miss Postseason
The Los Angeles Dodgers still expect that ace Clayton Kershaw will miss the entire 2021 postseason, but Kershaw did receive good news regarding his arm injury.
Kershaw, who the team removed early in his last start of the regular season due to left forearm discomfort, suffered no ligament damage, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.
#Dodgers Dave Roberts said no ligament damage in Clayton Kershaw’s elbow. But out for postseason
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) October 5, 2021
Once the MLB playoffs are finished, Kershaw will be a free agent; he posted a 3.55 ERA, and 3.00 FIP across 121 2/3 innings pitched this season.
He was placed on the injured list in July due to left elbow inflammation.
He made four starts after returning from the injury before dealing with discomfort once more on Oct. 1.
Kershaw has spent his 14-year career with the Dodgers, authoring a 2.49 ERA and 2.77 FIP in 379 games.
I expect the Dodgers to re-sign Kershaw during the offseason as it would be bizarre for him to be with another team when the 2022 season starts.
Detroit Tigers Looking to Add Veteran Starting Pitcher
Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila will have a busy offseason as the Tigers will be entering the next phase of their rebuild.
A significant priority for Avila is adding a veteran starting pitcher to strengthen the team’s young starting rotation, per Jason Beck of MLB.com.
Tigers GM Al Avila on pitching: "I would say an established starter would be a necessity."
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) October 5, 2021
The Tigers have promising arms early in their careers, such as Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, and Matt Manning.
The team could trade for a pitcher with experience or look to free agency.
There are two former Tigers, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, appealing to plenty of clubs.
The team could target other pitchers such as Robbie Ray, Carlos Rodon, and Kevin Gausman.
The Tigers will have a myriad of options during the offseason.
The team had not made the postseason since 2014, when they went 90-72, winning the American League Central.
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- Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.
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