Chris Taylor Says Everybody Wants to See Clayton Kershaw Return to Dodgers
After joining the Dodgers in 2016, Chris Taylor became a household name in the most recent era of Dodger baseball. He — along with Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, and others — helped usher in the winning culture that fans have gotten used to recently. Clayton Kershaw, though, started this era, and has been the face of the franchise since 2008.
Taylor joined Dodgers Nation’s own Doug McKain to chat about the offseason. During the interview, he mentioned wanting to have the franchise icon back for the 2024 campaign.
“We all hope to have Kersh back,” Taylor said. “He’s in a little different scenario this offseason. I don’t think he’s quite in a rush to make his decision. I think he’s enjoying this offseason. He had surgery, so he’s not available to pitch until the end of the year. So I wouldn’t be surprised if he made his decision even as the season was going on. But of course, I think everybody wants him in Dodger Blue come October.”
Via Dodgers Nation YouTube Channel
Taylor makes an astute point regarding Kershaw’s possible timeline this offseason. It will take time to fully heal from the surgery that Kershaw had in Oct. 2023. Until he’s healed enough to properly assess his future, Kershaw is in no rush to sign anywhere.
To further support Taylor’s point, it might be beneficial for the Dodgers if Kershaw waited until the middle of the season to sign. Right now, the 40-man roster is full, so signing Kershaw would require moving someone off it. If he waits until at least spring training, the Dodgers will have freed up spots on the roster by moving Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin to the 60-day injured list.
His last remark, though, is the most important one. Past postseasons aside, a healthy, refreshed Kershaw in October is a force. If the Dodgers can get the best version of Kershaw in Oct., then they might have the best pitching staff in baseball during the postseason.
To watch the full interview between Taylor and McKain, click the video at the top of the article, or click right here.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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Kershaw is to the Dodgers what Whitey Ford was to the Yankees. It is common for players to fade away in another uniform, but Kershaw should be here to enjoy what can be a historic season, maybe even one where the Dodgers pummel the Rangers in the World Series. He could congratulate them for a nice season at that time.