MLB Roundtable: Do you want Clayton Kershaw or Justin Verlander for the 2022 season?

NS Atlanta Braves is the World Series champion and the 2021-22 season officially takes place. The hot furnace has been fairly warm over the past few days, despite the collective bargaining agreement expiring in less than two weeks and a lockdown that threatens to stop working. Either way, the season is far from over.

During the season, CBS Sports MLB the scribe will bring you a weekly roundtable that breaks down almost everything. Breaking news, a historical question, thoughts on the future of baseball, all that. In our last roundtable we debated Carlos Correa and Corey Seager. This week, we’re tackling two future Hall of Fame pitchers, including one re-sign with the Astros on Wednesday.

RJ Anderson: I have to go with Justin Verlander, if only because of the unknown nature of Clayton Kershaw’s arm health. At least we know Verlander has been playing for teams lately and is (apparently) nearing the end of his Tommy John surgery rehab. Kershaw’s condition is unclear. If you’re both healthy, you really can’t go wrong.

Matt Snyder: Verlander. That’s not to say Tommy John surgery isn’t a failed procedure, but it’s become pretty reliable these days. I believe Verlander will return to his 2019 form when he hits the hill in 2022. He’ll be in the 39th season, so he doesn’t have many good years left, but I’m counting on at least one his All-Star caliber season. Kershaw has been facing back problems for several years and is now ill in his forearm in 2021. To avoid surgery, he has had platelet-rich plasma injections and those attempts have been unsuccessful. . I would give the guy a full recovery from the surgery than someone with at least two lingering question marks regarding his health.

Dayn Perry: I would say Verlander. I realize he’s pushed 40 and is about to have a long Tommy John rehab, but I can’t get over how well he maintains his work and pace at an age that most everyone else is. not participate in the tournament. The last time we saw him regularly, he was a Cy Young winner and I hope he becomes at least a useful pitcher in 2022.

Mike Axisa: I will also go with Verlander as he is almost out of injury while it looks like Kershaw is still early in this phase of his elbow injury. Forearm trouble was a precursor to Tommy John surgery – in short, the forearm muscles absorb the stress of throwing the ball, and if the forearm muscles are damaged, the stress transfers to the ligaments (and it will broken) – and they usually don’t just go away with a little rest. Verlander doesn’t have to be out of the woods as a 39-year-old man is about to return from Tommy John surgery, but his rehab has gone well by all accounts. Kershaw’s forearm and elbow are still a mystery, and I don’t like betting on pitchers with unresolved injuries.