Clayton Kershaw has suppressed some of the questions about his future at the Los Angeles Dodgers and said he will ‘absolutely’ consider the possibility of signing with the team again on Sunday after his contract ended this season.
The future Hall of Fame pitcher turns 33 less than two weeks before opening day and with the long elusive championship in his back pocket, the perception is that it could be his final year in baseball, let alone the Dodgers.
The perception was reinforced by a Los Angeles Times profile published earlier this month, in which Kershaw said he had not discussed an extension with the Dodgers and was not sure if he would like one.
“I’m on a year-to-year basis,” Kershaw said during his first media availability for the season. “I want to re-evaluate at the end of each year and see how we are doing – as a family, personally, where we are as a team – and then just make a decision from there. I do not intend to take them up I’m only 32. I feel like I still have years in the tank.
“If you ask me now, I really love to play, I feel healthy now, I feel like the ball is coming out well. I’m excited for this year, and that’s really what I meant. [by his answer in the L.A. Times profile]. I’m focused on this year and trying to win a World Series, and then we’ll find out after this year. ‘
Kershaw is a three-time Cy Young Awards winner who has already held his place as a first Hall of Famer ballot. But he experienced something of a career renaissance during the shortened 2020 season, and he utilized some lost speed to end the regular season with a 2.16 ERA, 62 strikeouts and only eight runs in 58 1/3 innings.
Shortly after the 2018 season, Kershaw signed an extension of $ 93 million by three years and will earn $ 31 million in the last year of its agreement, part of it as a sign-up bonus.
The Dodgers will exceed the luxury tax threshold this year and accept the strong possibility that they will do so again in 2022. They also have the upcoming free agencies of Corey Seager (after the 2021 season), Cody Bellinger (after 2023). and Walker Buehler (after 2024).
These decisions are not expected to affect their ability to retain Kershaw, a source familiar with the team’s thinking told ESPN. If Kershaw finally wants to stay in LA after 2021, the Dodgers would be motivated to figure out a way to make it happen.
“I love it,” Kershaw said. “I love the Dodgers, I love everything about this organization. I just feel very happy that I got as many opportunities as I had to win a world series, and now that we’ve finally won one, you need to “I just will not take it for granted. I really enjoyed my time here and will continue to do so.”