Clayton Kershaw: Oddsmakers See Dodgers As Most Likely 2019 Team
With the 2018 season in the history books, it’s natural to begin thinking about next season. Of course, if you’re a Dodgers fan; Clayton Kershaw’s future is at the forefront of your mind. Moreover, many Dodgers fans fear that Kershaw’s Sunday night performance in the World Series could be the final time he puts on a Dodgers uniform.
If you put stock in what handicappers think, your fears may not be well-founded. The Dodgers were listed as at -150 favorite to retain Kershaw’s services when the 2019 season begins. Teams such as the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros from Kershaw’s home state were listed second at +375. The Dodgers are an overwhelming favorite to remain the left-handed pitcher’s team.
The full odds are below:
Opening odds for which team Clayton Kershaw will be on for the first game of the 2019 regular season (@BovadaOfficial):
Dodgers -150
Rangers +375
Astros +375
Cubs +800
Giants +800
Yankees +850
Reds +1600— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) October 29, 2018
After Sunday’s game five in Los Angeles, Kershaw spoke on his future. In just a few days, we will learn if Kershaw decides to use his right to opt-out of his current contract in search of a new deal.
We will have more on this situation and everything surrounding it in the days to come.
Analysis
It’s a great sign – if you are in the ‘keep Kershaw’ camp – that oddsmakers see the Dodgers as an overwhelming favorite to keep him in that beautiful white and blue uniform. Still, anything can happen in the realm of sports. Until Kershaw signs on the dotted line, much speculation will remain in the media. One of the greatest Dodgers in the franchise’s modern history has an uncertain immediate future, so it’s only natural for it to be a lightning rod in both the local and national media. Personally, I believe Kershaw remains a Dodger and do put faith in the odds listed by professionals. What do you think?
Why would anyone be excited to see Kershaw comeback? He will make $35 mil plus over the next two seasons which is $35 mil too much. He is no longer a Number or even Number 2 pitcher. He has been on the DL multiple times over the last 5 years and he disappears during the postseason. He’s had a nice but incomplete career. He needs to move on. The Dodgers could use his money to spend on multiple needs: 1) Players who can actually hit, 2) Starters that can go into the 7th and 3) a bullpen which can shut down the other team and oh yeah, perhaps a manager who doesn’t make idiotic and moronic decisions.
Dodgers Off Season
We didn’t play our position players in the WS.
1B no needs here, question is who … Muncy or Bellinger
2B and SS possible need 1 player here. If we keep Manny, and we should, Seager to 2B. At 2B we also have Taylor, Hernandez, and Muncy.
Why keep Manny? He is the only player who plays infield whom puts up 300 avg and 30 plus homers. Betts, JD, Trout, Yelich all in that same class. Seager should hopefully get there. Others with slightly less avg in same class include Arenado, Peralta, Story, Baez, Goldschmidt, Bregman, and Suarez. Hitting at or above 300 yr over yr isn’t easy. He is only 26, so should have his best years ahead of him.
With Seager at 2B and Machado SS, Dodgers strongest hitting middle infield in MLB by a long shot.
Turner is locked in at 3B.
With Manny and Seager, the infield is best in the game when add Turner and Belli/Muncy. There are not a better SS or 2B that exist!
CA hmmm, it can be improved, but with whom. Grandal is decent at hitting, draws walk, does K, and had some defense issues. I would keep him and draft some catchers
Our Dodger OF is loaded. Puig goes NOWHERE, perminant RF.
Kemp however is 34 and old with bad contract.
We are left with Joc, Taylor, Hernandez, and Bellinger. A highly versitile group.
A left fielder who hits for AVG and HR would be a good addition. But they do not exist at Left. Giancarlo and Upton and Khris Davis all hit bombs with no AVG. Peralta and Blackmon, have the numbers but wrong position.
Hmmmm, could Puig play left and add Harper to Right?
That could be a huge move.
We really need pitching and Machado as priorities.
Kershaw may leave, probably can get more money that way. Would be great if he stays for long term extension say 10 years 150M.
#Dodgers management made the mistake of adding Freese and Dozier late and not adding pitching. Then playing them really hurt our Chemistry in the Series. We needed neither one.
Pick up #Corbin for sure!
Pick up #Machado for sure!
Do this and Kershaw would be not smart to leave, resign him long term.
Really??we need a lame pitcher…
Already forgot how bad he proformed.in playoffs and WS He is done!!!
Kershaw will stay in LA, no team is going to offer him that type of money. I am a kershaw fan, and he has had some horrible playoff performances. His best years are behind him but I he has brought some great memories to the Dodgers. Lets also mention Game 5 Dodgers with only 3 hits, 2 provided by D. Freese! It is shameful how fans are speaking so ill of him. Damn, it’s not like he is Billingsley, Kevin Brown, Jason Schmidt, Darren Dreifort or Yu Darvish!!!! Team Kershaw! Blue your my boy!!!
No comment
My comment? Dodgers in game # 5 were beaten at their own game, the HR’s. It has been a big problem with this pitching staff from day 1. anyone remember what Zaidi was saying the first 1 and 1/2 months of the season? I do, Dodgers were being out homered by the opponents and it made it tough to win any close tight games. If Kershaw could have kept the darn baseball in the yard, we might have had at least a 6th game in the WS. But Dodgers also could not avoid striking out in enormous proportions even through the NLCS. If the team cannot learn how to otherwise manufacture runs instead of depending ONLY on the HR, then not tot worry we won’t have to endure any more WS losses for a long long time.
All I know is that I want him to finish his career in Dodger blue. A great man….a great Christian…..a great father and a great Dodger. The world and the Dodgers need more like him.
Whichever way it goes….my thanks to Clayton for the memories.
We didn’t play our position players in the WS.
1B no needs here, question is who … Muncy or Bellinger
2B and SS possible need 1 player here. If we keep Manny, and we should, Seager to 2B. At 2B we also have Taylor, Hernandez, and Muncy.
Why keep Manny? He is the only player who plays infield whom puts up 300 avg and 30 plus homers. Betts, JD, Trout, Yelich all in that same class. Seager should hopefully get there. Others with slightly less avg in same class include Arenado, Peralta, Story, Baez, Goldschmidt, Bregman, and Suarez. Hitting at or above 300 yr over yr isn’t easy. He is only 26, so should have his best years ahead of him.
With Seager at 2B and Machado SS, Dodgers strongest hitting middle infield in MLB by a long shot.
Turner is locked in at 3B.
With Manny and Seager, the infield is best in the game when add Turner and Belli/Muncy. There are not a better SS or 2B that exist!
CA hmmm, it can be improved, but with whom. Grandal is decent at hitting, draws walk, does K, and had some defense issues. I would keep him and draft some catchers
Our Dodger OF is loaded. Puig goes NOWHERE, perminant RF.
Kemp however is 34 and old with bad contract.
We are left with Joc, Taylor, Hernandez, and Bellinger. A highly versitile group.
A left fielder who hits for AVG and HR would be a good addition. But they do not exist at Left. Giancarlo and Upton and Khris Davis all hit bombs with no AVG. Peralta and Blackmon, have the numbers but wrong position.
Hmmmm, could Puig play left and add Harper to Right?
That could be a huge move.
We really need pitching and Machado as priorities.
Kershaw may leave, probably can get more money that way. Would be great if he stays for long term extension say 10 years 150M.
#Dodgers management made the mistake of adding Freese and Dozier late and not adding pitching. Then playing them really hurt our Chemistry in the Series. We needed neither one.
Pick up #Corbin for sure!
Pick up #Machado for sure!
Do this and Kershaw would be not smart to leave, resign him long term.
I totally agree. Please stay with the Dodgers, Clayton! If the team as a whole would have hit during the World Series no one would be blaming you for the loss. It seems anytime you are on the mound they stop hitting after one or two runs. It’s like they just depend on you to do it all. You’re still the all time best pitcher we have ever had! Plus you are a great person.
I second Don’s comment and add a plea for Clayton to stay in LA. You don’t need any more money, so why not get your ring(s) with the Dodgers? Unless the management team makes an insulting offer. Clayton deserves even more than the 5 year, $150 million offered 3 years ago to Greinke, who sold out to the highest bidder. How’s that working out so far for him and them?
If Kershaw is a regular season pitcher, great. We need to win in the regular season. We need to MAKE the post season before we can win any post-season games.
Selfishly, I would like to see Clayton stay with the Dodgers and help them win the 2019 World Series. I think he still has a lot of wins in that left arm plus he appears to be a rarity in baseball- he can bunt! Another plus, he knows how to swing the bat. But, even if he is not wearing Dodger Blue- and I hope he will be- I plan to cheer for the big southpaw and enjoy watching him play for years to come.
Pitchers break. Dodgers management may not offer him market price for the same reason they did not offer it to Grienke. If Kershaw opts out we will wish him well and thank him for his time in LA. Turn a chapter and dodgers need to get to work and sign players that will bring the title home
10/30/18
I hope Kersh stays. He & Hill have a lot more wins in them & are great role models for the young pitchers who are coming into maturity: Buehler, Urias, Ferguson… When you list all of the potential starters, the Dodgers should have a strong staff in 2019. Hopefully they can find some bullpen help… And work on improving their on-base percentage.
Extend Kershaw to 5 years and move him to 2nd or 3rd in the rotation. He pitches so much better when he doesn’t have to be perfect. maybe he can get some velocity back. Then, make way for Buehler and Urias. Let the new generation get us the ring.
Exactly.
Plus add Corbin.