Dodgers Team News

Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw Talks Looming Free Agency, Where His Mind is At

Fans may not have to wait much longer for a return from Clayton Kershaw, who is on track to return as soon as next week. With his activation on the horizon, however, it’s a reminder that we could possibly witness the final few starts of Kershaw’s Dodgers career.

This is obviously not a subject that fans enjoy talking about, and I don’t blame them. Clayton Kershaw is the face of the franchise, and it’s impossible to imagine him without a Dodgers jersey. But with free agency looming and Kershaw now pushing 34 years old, it’s a topic that at the very least needs to be discussed.



Kershaw himself was recently asked about his free agency, as the OC Register’s Bill Plunkett had a chance to talk to the future Hall of Famer ahead of Wednesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

“I can honestly say I have no idea what’s going to happen. I really have no idea. I’m excited to pitch for now. I’m excited to pitch in the playoffs again – which is something I don’t want to take for granted. And then we’ll figure it out from there.”

It may seem like a no brainer for the Dodgers to re-sign Kershaw and ensure that he finishes he career with LA, but nothing is ever guaranteed in this business. For as good as Kershaw has been throughout his career, it’s hard to ignore things like an ERA that has crept up every year since 2016, not including the shortened 2020 season.

Related: Tony Gonsolin to be activated Thursday

Even with his flaws (declining velocity, injury history), the right move for the organization would be to bring him back and ensure that Clayton Kershaw retires a Dodger. The 3-time Cy Young award winner, 8-time All-Star and former league MVP has 184-83 record with a 2.48 ERA over his 14-year career. He also has a World Series title under his belt and is on the hunt for number two.

In short, he’s more than earned a return to the only organization that he knows. And, importantly, Kershaw is still a valuable player. His locker room presence and leadership skills aside, there is still enough in the tank for another few October runs. All that remains to be seen is if the front office will go against everything they hold dear and bring back an aging veteran regardless of what the analytics say.

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Daniel Palma

Daniel is an avid sports fan who loves his hometown teams. If he's not watching baseball, you can find him playing or coaching. No matter what, he'll always root for the Boys in Blue!

8 Comments

  1. They’ll resign him if Clayton is willing to take a hefty pay cut. He’s made generational wealth already and now should look to the team. Players in other sports take pay cuts to ensure the team stays competitive.

  2. He will be gone after this season. I’d rather have them resign Scherzer. I’d take him over Kershaw any day.

  3. shouldn’t have to be an either/or choice, unless he’s looking for more in the $30M+/year neighborhood. which, i don’t think he will. HOWEVER, as long as he can be somewhat healthy, he is still a quality starter and can match up against almost anyone out there.

    also, scherzer is 3 yrs older and has had his own injury challenges. this is a comeback season for him. last yr he was 5-4 w/a 3.74 ERA, and he hasn’t pitched 200 innings since 2018. he can only pitch for so much longer…even if he plans on pitching into his 40s, you can’t sign him to a long-term deal. too risky.

    kershaw is 34 and still learning his newfound limitations. i think he’ll finish making adjustments, and going forward will be looking more like greg maddox in terms of pitching style. if so, he’s got another 4 or more years left pitching the way he has the last few years (less velo, more location and speed change). i’m NOT saying keep clayton OVER scherzer…i’m saying re=sign them both.

  4. LET’S SEE

    SIT YOUR BEST HITTERS DOWN A LOT SO AS TO WEAKEN YOUR RUN PRODUCTION PERMANENTLY

    WHY DO THEY NEED REST?

    THEY GET INJURED AT A REMARKABLE RATE GETTING LOTS OF IT!

    LOOK UP THE 1955 TEAME AND BASEBALL BACK THEN

    CAMPY PLAYED IN 149 GAMES ONE YEAR

    AND CAUGHT 49 OR SO CONSECUTIVE INNINGS ON THE ALL STAR GAMES

    NEWCOMBE PITCHED 9 INNINGS IN A DOUBLE HEADER AND THEN 7 IN THE SECOND GAME IN 49 OR 50!

    ROBERTS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WEAKENING THIS TEAM

    AND

  5. TURNER IS IN A HORRIBLE SLUMP. FINALLY HITS 2 HR IN A GAME AND ROBERTS TAKES HIM OUT OF THE LINE-UP NEXT DAY. GO FIGURE……………

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