Dodgers Hope Clayton Kershaw Finishes Career in Los Angeles: Reports
The Los Angeles Dodgers have had a dream offseason thus far, signing Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Teoscar Hernandez while trading for and extending Tyler Glasnow. Their roster is almost set for Opening Day in Seoul, South Korea.
A Clayton Kershaw-sized hole remains.
Kershaw, the longest tenured Dodger, remains a free agent. He underwent surgery to repair glenohumeral ligaments in his shoulder in November. Asked in a December interview to forecast a return date, he said, “I do think it’ll be in the summer at some point.”
Before the Dodgers’ busy offseason, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the team “absolutely” wants Kershaw back next season. It appears that stance has not wavered.
In a mailbag article for The Athletic, MLB insider Jim Bowden was asked about Kershaw and the Dodgers. Here’s what he had to say:
“The Dodgers have told me they are keeping the door open for a Kershaw return and hope he decides to finish his career as a Dodger. I think the signings of Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will make it easier for him to decide to stay with Los Angeles rather than opting to finish his career with the Rangers, his hometown team, which is the only other realistic option outside of him choosing to retire.”
Via The Athletic
The Dodgers still have a need in the rotation, especially for a left-handed starter. However, Kershaw doesn’t exactly fill that hole considering it’s unclear when he’ll be able to return to the mound.
Nonetheless, Kershaw has spent his entire 16-year career with the Dodgers, and will go into the Hall of Fame with a Dodgers cap on his head. I don’t think any Dodger fans wants to see him don a Texas Rangers jersey to finish his career, and it sounds like the Dodgers’ front office feels similarly.
It will be up to Kershaw to decide if he wants to remain with the only team he’s known or go back to Texas to play close to home. But he has no rush to make a decision. A successful return depends on his ability to rehabilitate and recover from a significant surgery.
If he needs any convincing from within the clubhouse, longtime Dodger fan and new Dodger Tyler Glasnow wants to see Kershaw return to Los Angeles.
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
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Clayton,
I am 75+ years old and I have been a member of the Dodgers for almost my entire life. They have built a strong foundation for the future and not having you there is not a choice. It’s your responsibility to be there and be a part of the team. Choices are Gods grace to us all. Make it right and join us all together to make history!!
Beautifuly said Charles !
Be serious . Kershaw IS the reason along with Roberts why they can’t get out of the first round in the playoffs the last umpteen years.
He is spent. I throw a faster fastball.
Move on.
In 130.2 innings last year, Kershaw had a 13-5 record with a 2.46 era and struck out more than one an
Inning. I’d say that’s a pretty good regular season.
I agree with you. Roberts has to go. Maybe Kershaw can come back if they give him time to heal.
You possibly could throw a fastball ( 1 or 2) faster than Kersh….but without his precision. Without striking out as many batters as he has. Anyone could throw it towards the plate….but with his precision…I highly doubt it. Also….he throw more that just fastballs. He throws change-ups, Curves and sliders with accuracy as well. I hope Kersh retires as a Dodger. It will be a sad day when he does. He is a great man and a great competitor!
Give Kershaw 90 million a year for three years and keep here till he retires. Kershaw is one of three greatest players in the history of Dodgers baseball. I love Kershaw, and we all need to keep here for his entire career.
You speak with your heart and I respect that; CK won my heart the first full season he played with the big club. I remember saying to my wife, “we’re seeing a history being born; this guy’s gonna be in the books at Cooperstown.
That said, 90 mil / 3 years is not gonna happen, is unrealistic and isn’t good baseball. I believe neither CK nor FO want it.
But bless your Dodger Lovin’ Heart, nonetheless.
Sign him now and put him on long-term IR. His return late in the season would be a big plus, considering how so many pitchers get hurt nowadays. No doubt one or more of the current projected starters will be on IR by then. He will fill the hole, eat up innings, and be a steady hand in September. His playoff record is not good, but if the current starting rotation has 3 left by that point, he can fill in as a long reliever.
I love CK. I could never go to that many games at Dodgers stadium, but I happened to be going when he made his Dodgers debut. And I bought season tickets at Camelback for their opening the next year in Phoenix and got to watch his beginning as our ace. And I have been a big fan ever since. I want him to retire as a Dodger. Anything else will be a loss. Beyond that, if his shoulder heals he will still be a great pitcher. Sign him now.
Sign him. Period. We as Dodger fans have been spoiled by how good #22 has been. He has been a loyal Dodger. And even as a diminished future 1st ballot HOFr, Kershaw would make a great mid/end of rotation starter. Why would the WS Champ Rangers still be interested? Sign him. Let him mentor the younger guys and let’s get him another ring.
Agree! Love Kersh!
Sign him. He is one of the players that should be a Dodger until the end of his career.