Brandon Gomes Clarifies Clayton Kershaw’s Future with Dodgers
Clayton Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, chose to decline his $10 million player option with the Los Angeles Dodgers, opting for free agency instead.
The 36-year-old battled injuries for much of last season, ending with a 2-2 record and a 4.50 ERA across seven starts.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes joined MLB Network Wednesday morning to clarify what is really going on with Kershaw and why he opted to decline.
“I think for Kersh it’s kind of see where he’s at into the offseason and continue to talk with his family and see how he comes on the other side of a couple things that he’s having done. Obviously, we want Kersh back. He wants to be back but I think it’s very much like let’s see how these next few months play out to see what position he’s in.
“Our hope is to continue to have conversations and hopefully, Clayton is a Dodger for life.”
The legendary lefty also called himself a “Dodger for life” during the World Series Celebration at Dodger Stadium promising the fans that he will be back which is why his decision to opt out caught many by surprise.
“I don’t know (how that will play out),” he said during the festivities. “I’ll be back, somehow. I don’t care. I’ll be back.”
During the National League Championship Series, Kershaw joined the FOX pregame show and said he planned on pitching again in 2025.
“Mentally, I feel great. I had shoulder surgery last offseason, and my shoulder and elbow, everything, my arm, feels great,” he said. “Obviously, I had some tough luck with my foot this year. But I want to make use of this surgery. I don’t want to have surgery and shut it down. So I’m gonna come back next year and give it a go and see how it goes.”
“I just thought everyone kind of assumed and knew I was coming back,” he added the following day. “I didn’t really think about it. I’m going to be a Dodger.”
From what Gomes and Kershaw have both said, the future of Kershaw in Los Angeles is certain — but for how long and for how much is to be determined.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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For a guy who really hasn’t pitched well in a few years, who is in the downside of his career, who the Ds have paid $millions despite his not pitching, who failed miserably in his last postseason start (because he was injured), who is STILL injured and getting more surgery – for him to say “I feel healthy now, so if you want me to stay you have to pay me more” I think is a little over the top. We have pitchers, there are others who are better now who are available. Sentiment is great, I saw him pitch his first game at Dodgers Stadium, I had front row seats for his first Spring training at Camelback, I loved watching his career, I’ve always been a huge fan. But sometimes rationality needs to outweigh sentimentality – Gomes and Friedman owe more to the team, they need to be more concerned with winning than with loyalty. IMHO, maybe I’m just being a grouch.
Hopefully he doesn’t want the 10 million until he can prove to everyone he’s healthy and capable.
Let Clayton Kershaw free agent or retired as u have another WS Championship as well as WS Ring upcoming with the Dodgers as relax as enjoy the moments as ur accomplishements all the yrs good or bad as we all love u Clayton!
First off, I am 100% behind Clayton. So I am probably biased in my support for him. But guys, he was hitting 90-91 on his fastball without being able to push off with his big toe. He was routinely 92-93 BEFORE his shoulder surgery. But there is one item we should look at. We have Gonsolin, May, Ohtani all coming off ARM surgeries. Glasnow coming off of shoulder fatigue/ arm fatigue type issue, Flaherty probably gone. Stone, Ryan out for the year with Tommy John. Clayton’s shoulder is now going to be six months with no stress to heal even better. The bone spur is a quick healing period. A couple months. The meniscus is also not very long; and can be supported with a brace. Clayton was 13-5 immediately prior to his shoulder issue. Verlander has pitched a couple years more after a late career surgery. Spahn won 23 games at age 42. I say get the surgeries done; and play it from there. He may have another couple years of dominance; or of a #3 or #4 starter role. Give it a shot.