A subplot to the 2018 season for the Los Angeles Dodgers was the forthcoming contract decision Clayton Kershaw faced once the World Series concluded. He believed the window to be 10 days but clarified after losing Game 5 that it was actually three days.
Hours before the deadline Wednesday night, the Dodgers and Kershaw mutually agreed to push it back to 1 p.m. PT on Friday. That lent more credence to the early belief held by many that Kershaw and the Dodgers would ultimately come to terms on a new deal.
While Kershaw may no longer be the dominant force that won a National League MVP and three Cy Young Awards in four seasons, he very much remains one of the game’s better pitchers. He’s also become synonymous with the Dodgers franchise since they selected him seventh overall in the 2006 MLB Draft.
Even as Kershaw’s value and importance has been bandied about outside the clubhouse, those within it don’t have any question. “He doesn’t quit, man. He’s one of the best. A pitcher like that, we might not see one for a while,” Kenley Jansen said.
“He will go down as one of the best lefties to play this game. I’m proud of Kersh, I’m proud of how he competes. He never gives up and tries to lift the team.”
Jansen’s remarks came after Kershaw allowed three home runs over seven innings of a loss to the Boston Red Sox that decided the World Series. It was another negative marker on a postseason career that’s been nothing short of puzzling.
“Sometimes it doesn’t go your way. I know that Kersh is going to motivate himself to try to get back on this stage,” added Jansen, who himself struggled this season and in the World Series.
Rich Hill, who doesn’t have quite the same history with Kershaw as Jansen does, was nevertheless similarly effusive. “Clayton is the Dodgers. He’s the heart and soul of this organization,” Hill said. “When you look at a guy like that who’s put it all on the line and had so much success as a Dodger, I just hope they do the right thing.”
Justin Turner was much more succinct and matter of fact when asked if he believed Kershaw would remain with the Dodgers. “I hope so,” Turner said. “I certainly hope so.”
Speaking at their end-of-season press conference Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi both had an optimistic tone when asked how talks with their longtime ace were progressing.
“He’s made as much of an impact as you can on an organization in terms of the success that we’ve had,” Friedman added. “Not just on the field but from a culture standpoint. In terms of bringing up the pitchers and emulating the work ethic, the drive.”
