The MLB Players Association announced that Clayton Kershaw has become a free agent. That indicates he declined his $10MM player option with the Dodgers.
Kershaw has said on a few occasions that he plans to stay in Los Angeles. He announced at the World Series parade that he would be a “Dodger for life.” It stands to reason that the future Hall of Famer plans to renegotiate a new contract with the team, but he needed to decide by this evening whether to exercise the option.
In all likelihood, this is simply a move that’ll buy the sides time to hammer out a new incentive-laden deal. Kershaw’s last contract was heavily stocked with incentives as he returned from shoulder surgery. While he’s not battling anything quite that serious this time around, he is set to undergo surgeries on his left knee and left big toe. Kershaw and the club may want to evaluate his recovery before settling on some kind of incentive package for his next contract.
That also affords an extra bit of flexibility from a roster perspective. Kershaw would have counted against the 40-man roster all winter had he exercised the option. He won’t count against the roster for as long as he’s a free agent. That’ll allow the Dodgers to somewhat unofficially operate with an extra spot for a while.
Once Kershaw returns to L.A., he’ll rejoin a rotation that could lose both Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler to free agency. The Dodgers have Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May among their in-house rotation options. As is the case each winter, it’s a group loaded with talent but plenty of durability questions. The Dodgers should be heavily involved for starting pitching.
Huh?
What?
huh?
Who?
Meh. They have the money to flush. Let ’em.
I’m going to assume they have a new contract in place already that will pay him more, otherwise why do this?
He wants his 10 mil deferred over the next 20 years.
But should he really be getting more when they can only realistically count on him for a half season at best?
For an additional year in ’26.
The team can use that 40 man to keep an extra prospect through the rule 5 draft. They’ll know more about their tax hit later in the offseason.
Kershaw needs incentives, because everyone knows he’s a slacker.
I’m inclined to agree more so after seeing him celebrate shirtless.
weird
Yeah some people don’t get the point even when it pokes them in the eye.
Thickiedon, you realize Blue Skies was being sarcastic. You do right? Right?
I think Thickiedon was too. Love Kersh, and I know he’ll be back, Dad bod and all.
Bum slacking his way to a 2.50 career ERA. If he’d worked hard it would be 2.48.
Maybe he’s planning for something similar to Rich Hill this past season? Signed mid-season after he recovered from the surgeries and help the rotation down the stretch?
The only thing I could think of is that he rejected the option cause he did not want to put burden on Dodgers payroll until he ready to pitch. If that was the case, he’s a legend for not being selfish. If the reason for declining his option is due to he’s chasing more dollar, then that might not work considering his age and injury history in the last 2-3 seasons.
Dodgers cant afford to keep around even if he doesn’t play
Being facetious here
2014 called… Clayton Kershaw is at best worth only the league minimum salary. Anything above that is a joke and a payment for past performance.
2014 huh? What a coincidence that 2014 is the last time the Angels even made the postseason.
Brooklyn Doyers bootlick much?
Low IQ is aptly named, is he not?
Really?
Look at his numbers from 2022-2023 and tell me you really believe that. His arm is healthy. Worth the risk over many other veteran SP.
I see he runs 50 to 130 innings as a starting pitcher for the last 5 years? There are relievers that pitch more often. His numbers from 2022-2023 show an often injured relief pitcher…
Relief pitcher? He started every game he appeared in those seasons, 46 starts.
150 Inn is the new 200 if you didnt know. SO, solid work by Kersh.
Riiiiight
Now compare his numbers in that time to his contemporaries… I’ll wait.
23 starts on average from your ace starting pitcher is a good number? OK, well you’re the same parent that thinks because your kid went 0-12 with 8 Ks in a 3 game series, and got a participation ribbon, he’s also a good athlete. Lowered expectations are a symptom, not the disease.
I’ll take 23 starts from Kershaw. He is no longer expected to be the ace. Do you follow contemporary baseball?
Interesting take lets look at the numbers, so we’ll obviously go from 2015 to present.
114-45 WL/2.52 ERA/ 1364.1 IP/ 1523 SO/ 6 All star games in that span.
Yep totally a league minimum pitcher absolute joke he has been.
Lmao. Ok yes, Mike Trout was also great for the first part of that time frame too. Now let’s look at the last 5 years and compare him to his contemporaries, like I don’t know, Cole? Hurry, I’ll wait.
Last 5 years Kershaw is 43-20 with a 2.79 ERA, granted with injuries.
Listen I understand the point you are trying to make but it is a tad over wrought.
Throwing a 12.5M dollar deal at Kershaw is not crazy and you may very well get 100 IP of 3 ERA ball.
This guy thinking he has jokes. The Dodgers have like two full rotations worth of guys that would all be the Ace of the Angels staff. Maybe don’t worry about Kersh, and worry about what the Angels need to do to finish over .500 for the first time since 2015.. at least the Dodgers can talk about past performances.
Why you licking boots bud? You from New York? Your team is. If you’re going to root for a New York baseball team, at least go for the one with 27 titles.
Your name really fits your character doesn’t it? What are you, 15 with your boot licking comments? What a tool. The team that I root for is your Daddy in California, also known as the 2024 World Champions. How does it feel to see Shohei get a ring in his first season outside of that dumpster fire in Anaheim? Talk about licking boots, that’s about as far as you can reach with Dodgers fans.
More of a procedural move that opens up a 40-man roster spot in the offseason. He’ll sign towards the end of offseason.
I don’t hate that theory Bob.
Waiting for the inevitable comments linking him to the Rangers.
Kershaw is going to the Rangers.
I heard the Rangers are going to offer him a gold-plated Cadillac with real steer horns on the hood. It’s a done deal.
Kershaw is chasing those 3000 strikeouts and doing it as a Dodger.
Could it mean retirement?
No player is going to leave $10 million on the table unless there is more incoming.
Buster Posey?
Why is he having all sorts of surgeries only needed for professional athletes if he’s going to retire
Dodgers 2025 rotation will be 1. Yamamoto 2. Ohtani 3. Roki Sasaki (book it) 4. Glasnow 5. Kershaw. Kersh and Glasnow are often injured, some back it up they have Bobby Miller, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, Emmit Sheehan, River Ryan… should I stop?
River Ryan just had TJ after his last start in Houston. He and Gavin Stone wont pitch in 2025
Excuse me. Replace Ryan with Nick Frasso
Ohtani won’t pitch 120 innings, Kershaw won’t pitch 100 innings and Glassnow, if he’s a Doyer won’t pitch 125 innings. Better run a 7 man rotation.
Let me guess, they were also licking boots
You forgot to put.. “I’ll wait”
🙂
Don’t forget yoshi and sasaki not going over 170
No inning eaters but who needs those anyways in todays game
River Ryan will not pitch in 2025 and I would be surprised to see Sheehan.
Dodgers should resign Buehler as he is a proven commodity in the postseason.
They should move Tgon and May to the Pen, and Bobby MIller stays in Triple A until he figures out how to get hitters out again.
Dodger legend going out with a bang! What a career! He was getting pretty fay too so….
Pablo Sandoval said he wanted to be a Giant forever at the 2014 WS parade. We know how that worked out.
Before anyone angrily responds, this is a joke. I have no doubt that Kershaw will be a Dodger next season, perhaps beyond if he’s healthy, and when he does retire, it will be as a Dodger.
Wow, how kind of Kershaw! Opting out of getting $10 mil so the Dodgers only have to pay him $750 thousand. What a guy, what a guy!
“Reports coming in that Clayton Kershaw has signed an incentive-laden 1 year, $12 million deal with the Dodgers.”
Hmm…probably needed $2 million extra to go towards his charity work…
“First look at Clayton Kershaw’s new and improved backyard, complete with a new hot tub, pool, grill and picnic area, an ice cream stand, and a petting zoo with at least 15 kinds of animals including ponies, llama’s, and wallaby’s.”
Dang, Kershaw…is like the greatest dad ever!
What’s with all the Kershaw hate? Did I miss something?
Naw, just the usual.
take it easy dude
He wants to end his career near his home. He’s going to the Rangers.
Why is Walker Buehler not eligible for a qualifying offer?
Who said he isn’t? The only question is whether he gets one.
He is. Dodgers didn’t feel like giving him one.
@dembums- I read on MLB.com that he was eligible but the Dodgers did not offer. what would have been a $21 million offer, which is far more than the offers he is going to receive on the open market.
Dodgers had alot of success w/rookie starting Ps this past season. Some are hurt now River Ryan, Sheehan, n Stone, but they all showed promise. Also had Knack n Cesperis. Figure they’ll add to starting pitching staff just cause of all the injuries they dealt with this season on pitching staff. Would like to see Buehler back w/contract that benefits him n team. Still got Bobby Miller as well if he can get things straightened out.
Maybe if you were as good at your job as Kershaw has been for his career you would be able to. Try harder.
It feels a bit like bad optics to decline the option after having given them 30 IPs last year, and having just had two operations.
He’s never leaving Daddy. Time to sign back up for another easy ring for the team that buys its titles. Glad to hear.
With all the injuries. Need to resign Walker or Flaherty.
You could if you were the Clayton Kershaw of your chosen profession.
Just a formality. Likely renegotiating a one year deal with appropriate incentives and a second year mutual option.
I think a one-year is appropriate. He’s recovering from a bunch of injuries and Kershaw may finally call it after running through the rigors of prepping and pitching.
1st ballot unanimous HOFer
but 2025 should be his last yr
its time to hang em up kersh
1 year/1o0 million sounds about right for the GOAT.