Despite declining a $10 million option for the 2025 season, Clayton Kershaw has made it abundantly clear multiple times his desire is to only pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kershaw was hampered by injury down the stretch this past season which kept him out of commission for the Dodgers during their World Series run. He took the necessary step toward recovery on Nov. 6, undergoing surgeries to his left knee and the big toe on his left foot after which he vowed to “crush some rehab” and return next year.
Kershaw’s next season with the Dodgers will be his 18th with the team since making his MLB debut in 2008. In that time he has made the All-Star Game 10 times, won three National League Cy Young Awards, an MVP, led the NL in ERA and plenty more.
There is simply no way to describe how much Kershaw means to the Dodgers organization and the city of Los Angeles as a whole. What he has accomplished over almost two decades in the Majors has earned him the upmost respect from his peers across the league, and especially Dodgers teammates who are proud to be able to say they’ve been able to play with one of the all-time greats.
Gavin Lux described what being on the same team as Kershaw meant to him this past season, according to SportsNet LA:
“I think every time I get to play defense behind Kersh, you know you’re playing defense behind a first-ballot Hall of Famer and a guy that is one of the best competitors that this sport has ever seen,” Gavin Lux said.
“He just goes out and does his job. Doesn’t make any excuses. You never hear that from him. I really enjoy playing defense behind him every chance I get. I didn’t get to do it last year, so every time I get to do it this year, it means a little more.”
In 2024, Kershaw made a strong effort to recover as quick as possible from left shoulder surgery. He pitched well at times but an injury to his toe/foot limited Kershaw to just seven starts. He had a 4.50 ERA while throwing 30 innings before being shut down.
Kershaw and the Dodgers hoped he would be available for the postseason but that possibility was ruled out at the start of the NL Division Series.
Clayton Kershaw not worried about free agency leverage
Kershaw is not leaving anything up to speculation after becoming a free agent for a fourth consecutive year. He acknowledged publicly stating where he wants to be next season is not great for leverage in contract negotiations, but Kershaw said he “doesn’t care anymore”.
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