The long-held expectation was made official on Thursday when the Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed Clayton Kershaw to a one-year contract for the 2025 season.
Although Kershaw became a free agent after declining a player option, he made it clear the only intention to continue his career this season was with the Dodgers. “Dodger for life!” Kershaw shouted at the end of his speech during the Dodgers’ World Series celebration at Dodger Stadium.
Now back with the only organization he’s ever known, Kershaw expressed gratitude over the likelihood of spending his entire career with the Dodgers, per Sonja Chen of MLB.com:
“I don’t think I put enough merit on it at times, what it means to be able to be in one organization for your entire career,” Kershaw said. “You look at people throughout all of sports that have been able to do that, and it is special, it is. I don’t want to lose sight of that. Getting to be here for my whole career, however long that is, is definitely a goal.”
The sentiment was one Kershaw previously expressed upon re-signing with the Dodgers ahead of the 2022 season. There had been speculation that offseason the future Hall of Famer was bound for his hometown Texas Rangers.
“I think it is a very awesome thing,” said Kershaw at the time of potentially going his entire career with just the Dodgers. “You think about the guys who have done that. It doesn’t really happen recently as much any more, either.”
Kershaw was selected by the Dodgers with the seventh overall pick in the 2006 MLB Draft and made his debut two years later.
Clayton Kershaw’s contract details
Kershaw’s new contract with the Dodgers guarantees him a $7.5 million base salary but includes the potential to reach $16 million in total value.
Incentives in Kershaw’s Dodgers contract are $1 million each for 13, 14, 15, 16 games started; $2.5 million for 30 days on the active roster, $1 million for 60 days, and additional $1 million if he reaches 90 days.
Kershaw expects to begin the season on the 60-day injured list because of the recovery from left knee and foot surgeries, but anticipates being ready to pitch upon becoming eligible to be activated in May.
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