Clayton Kershaw erased some of the questions about his future with the Los Angeles Dodgers, saying Sunday would consider “absolutely” the possibility of re-signing with the team after his contract ends this season.
The future pitcher of the Hall of Fame will turn 33 less than two weeks before the opening day and, with that elusive championship in his back pocket, it is perceived that this could be his last year in baseball, and very less with the Dodgers.
That 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 unsure if he wanted one.
“I’m year-over-year,” Kershaw said during his first mid-season availability of the season. “I want to re-evaluate at the end of each year and see how we go (in the family, me personally, where we are as a team) and then make a decision from there. I don’t intend to hang them. I’m only 32 years old. I feel like I have more years left in the tank.
“If you ask me right now, I still love to play, I feel healthy right now, I feel like the ball is going to go well. I’m excited for this year, and that’s all I wanted to say. [by his answer in the L.A. Times profile]. I’m focused on this year and I’m trying to win a World Series and after this year we’ll find out. “
Kershaw has won the Cy Young Award three times which has already consolidated its place as the Hall of Famer in the first ballot. But he experienced a bit of a renaissance of the race during the shortened 2020 season, regaining the speed lost to finish the regular season with an ERA of 2.16, 62 strikeouts and just eight walks in 58 1/3 innings. .
Kershaw signed a three-year, $ 93 million extension shortly after the 2018 season and will earn $ 31 million, some of it as a signing bonus, in the final year of his deal.
The Dodgers will surpass the luxury tax threshold this year and have accepted 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) to consider.
But those decisions are not expected to affect his ability to retain Kershaw, a source familiar with the team’s thinking told ESPN. If Kershaw finally wants to stay in Los Angeles beyond 2021, the Dodgers would be motivated to figure out a way to make it a reality.
“I love being here,” Kershaw said. “I love the Dodgers, I love everything about this organization. I feel very fortunate to have had as many opportunities as I’ve had to win a World Series, and now that we’ve finally won one, I just don’t give it up. I really enjoyed my time here and I continue to do so. “