Dodgers Rumors: Insider Projects Potential Clayton Kershaw Contract If He Returns for 2024
As the offseason really starts to get going for the Dodgers, one of the biggest talking points surrounding the team is what the status of pitcher Clayton Kershaw will be. He has flirted with retirement each of the last few offseasons, and he will once again be doing the same.
If Kershaw does return, it would need to be on an understanding that he is no longer a front-line starter. He can still be productive, but he isn’t the face of the starting rotation any longer.
Many have speculated that he will either come back to the Dodgers, head to his hometown Texas Rangers or hang it up. Either way, fans will understand whatever decision he makes for himself.
MLB insider Tim Britton of The Athletic broke down potential contracts for free agent pitchers and projected what a deal could look like for Kershaw if he were to return for the 2024 season.
“By fWAR, Kershaw is coming off the worst season of his career; his ERA was still 2.46. If he does indeed want to play again in 2024, a one-year deal at $15 million works. Projection: One year, $15 million”
Per Tim Britton of The Athletic
Despite the poor performance from the veteran pitcher in the postseason, he still put together a solid year for the Dodgers. His advanced statistics were a little worrisome, but he found ways to get out of jams to be productive for this team all season.
His shoulder issue is going to be a big talking point all winter about whether or not he returns. If he has to have surgery to repair everything, it could lead him to retire rather than go through a rehab process.
But Kershaw will be welcomed back with open arms if he does choose to keep playing next season. The Dodgers organization essentially will allow him as much time as he wants, and they probably have a contract offer prepared for him already.
The future Hall of Fame pitcher has meant so much to the Dodgers franchise, and he has earned the ability to take his time. The hope is that Kershaw does indeed return to the Dodgers for at least one more season. He deserves to go out on a high note, and fans everywhere would be ecstatic if he were to come back for a final year.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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We already know that Kershaw will only be able to pitch half the season, and my guess is that he would do that as a farewell tour and then retire. If he and AF agree to something verbally they don’t even have to sign a contract until he’s ready. Maybe sign an incentive contract in case he never makes it back but still pay him for the effort.
Pitching in 2024 is aspirational but unlikely with the kind of surgery he needs [ligaments and capsule]. If he does pitch, most likely it will be a handful of 5 innings or less games in September, for a total of 20-30 innings max. This past season he signed for 20 mil when he was perfectly healthy. 15M doesn’t seem right to me, maybe 5M or less, with incentives for games started, and some kind of an option for 2025.
Why are people talking as if Clayton Kershaw will pitch for the Dodgers either not at all, or for just one season more? Who says? Why? I see no reason why he can’t pitch five more seasons with the Dodgers. After all, he is only 35 years old, and his pitching is still fantastic. I think that we Dodgers fans have become so spoiled, that we expect him to be even beyond the great pitcher that he has been, which is absurd. At least 98% of all the pitchers out there can only wish to be as good as he is. Getting rid of him would be about the dumbest mistake that the Dodgers could commit. Don’t do it
Time for Kershaw to do what is best for the Dodgers , retire with dignity and let the Dodgers move on .
Kershaw is so respected in Los Angeles that he could sign with the Yankees and Dodger fans would root for him!
We need some kind of permanent symbol that shows Dodger Stadium as the House of Ks! (Koufax+Kershaw) While they are at it, Vin Scully needs to be remembered far more prominently, even though he might not have approved.