The Dodgers season came to an unceremonious close last night. After being swept in the NL Division Series by the Diamondbacks, they’re headed into the offseason.
Each fall brings questions about whether Clayton Kershaw will be back for another year. Unsurprisingly, the three-time Cy Young winner wasn’t prepared to answer within the first couple hours of his team’s elimination. Kershaw told the L.A. beat postgame that he’s “not sure” what his playing future holds (relayed by Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register).
Kershaw expanded upon that in a conversation with Andy McCullough of the Athletic, saying he expected to take several weeks before making a decision. Last year, he told reporters in late September that he was leaning towards playing in 2023. He agreed to a new deal with the Dodgers by November 10. Kershaw suggested to McCullough he won’t make his decision as quickly this time around.
Part of the calculus is his arm health. The 10-time All-Star landed on the injured list with shoulder soreness on July 3. He was out for around five weeks. While the Dodgers reinstated Kershaw on August 10, team officials conceded he still didn’t feel close to 100%. The southpaw told McCullough he could go for additional examination on the shoulder this offseason.
Kershaw had another stellar regular season despite the injury. He worked to a 2.46 ERA across 131 2/3 innings, striking out a strong 26.2% of opponents. Kershaw’s 7.6% walk rate was his highest in over a decade but still slightly better than league average. While his strikeout and walk numbers took a step back following his return from the injured list, he worked to a 2.23 ERA in his last eight regular season starts.
That production belied a notable downtick in the quality of his raw arsenal. Kershaw’s average fastball speed was a little above 91 MPH through the season’s first three months. His fastball sat at 90.2 MPH in August and was down to just 88.6 MPH on average in the final month. The slider was similarly slow, dropping from the 86-87 MPH range to 84.7 MPH in September.
The diminished arsenal caught up to him in October. The Dodgers’ flimsy rotation left them with little choice but to give Kershaw the ball for one of the first two starts against Arizona. He took the Dodger Stadium mound in Game 1 and was blitzed for six runs on six hits and a walk while recording just one out in an eventual 11-2 loss. The rest of the rotation didn’t fare much better. Bobby Miller surrendered three runs and didn’t get past the second inning in Game 2; Lance Lynn was tagged for four home runs in the third inning to take a 4-2 loss last night.
Addressing the starting staff will be a key priority for the L.A. front office. Julio Urías looks very unlikely to return amidst a domestic violence investigation. Tony Gonsolin could miss the whole year after a Tommy John procedure in August. Dustin May will be out until the middle of the season following flexor surgery. Lynn seems headed for free agency once the Dodgers decline an $18MM club option.
Walker Buehler should be ready to join Miller in two spots. Emmet Sheehan and Ryan Pepiot could vie for jobs, while Gavin Stone and Michael Grove are beyond them on the depth chart. There’s still promise with the group but they’ll need to add quite a bit more stability. If Kershaw decides to return for a 17th major league season, the Dodgers would certainly welcome him back on another one-year deal.
Kershaw signed a $20MM pact last winter. A similar salary would make sense if he continues playing. While the Dodgers could technically put forth a qualifying offer in the $20.5MM range, it’s hard to see that happening. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told reporters two offseasons ago the organization declined to qualify Kershaw to afford him more than 10 days to make a decision on his future. There’s no reason to believe that won’t be the case this fall.
Giving him a QO doesn’t mean you aren’t “affording him more than 10 days to make a decision on his future.” Most players who receive QOs take more than 10 days to make a decision on their future.
Anyway, is this the year people finally stop pushing the tired “Kershaw to Rangers” narrative?
Nope. I will keep pushing it. Texas has actually managed to advance further than LA for the first time in almost forever. Also, he is the best pitcher in MLB in my opinion.
*facepalm*
Bring him back as an innings eater on a veteran minimum salary and use him as a reliever in the playoffs. That won’t happen but if it did we could sign other impact bats which we desperately need.
An innings eater? Idiotic, still one of the best pitchers in bb
You don’t understand playoff baseball do you? Sure Kershaw can dominate 24 teams during the regular season. But once he’s playing those last 6 teams in a playoff setting he gets picked apart. Didn’t you see what the DBags did to him
You’re spot on, his post season numbers are generally poor. Can be considered a choker however he’s about out of gas now as well. To say he’s one of the best in baseball should have began with was. His ego won’t let him quit but it’s time.
That’s predicated on if his shoulder doesn’t bounce back. If you limit his innings from the start, he can be a great no. 5 starter. If he stays healthy into the playoffs, that role works in the playoffs
The guy had a 2.4~ era in 120+ innings. I’d say he’s not done yet.
Next year, considering the injuries the dodgers pitching staff have encountered recently, perhaps a six man rotation would help ease them back and keep them fresh come playoff time.
@Missippi: Why suggest it if it won’t happen?
And it’s Mississippi.
Hey Curly, I thought you were leaving MLBTR because they talk about gay things too much. Hey Curly, did you know your favorite MLB team, on average, has 2 or 3 gay players on it ???
Didn’t you see what the DBags did to him
=======================
It might be time for him to go, but I am not impressed the sample size of 1 game.
So Mr. “Innings Eater”, your Mother’s basement needs sweeping. Move along now.
So, Albert Belle, please tell us what you accomplish by such a mean personal attack.
The only thing I can think of is that you forfeit credibility and automatically lose any argument.
You?
Curly is a massive troll and will NEVER be able to stay away. He sits in his little cave and waits to strike with absolute nonsense at any moment.
Hey Ignorant Son-of-a-b, happy to see you are still ignorant!
My post stated, I didn’t care what you did behind closed doors, it just didn’t relate to this site. But, just like a confused individual, you keep bringing it up.
Thanks kdub53, your ignorant, inane post has just convinced me to come back and haunt keyboard cowards like you!
See you at your next informative post!
I’ll be waiting with bells on dbag.
Lmao. Get em!
What a couple of mutts. Flexing those keyboard muscles is #1, knowledge is obviously left behind or more likely, non existent
I’d says a guy who pitches to a 2.4 era, 177 era+ and 3.7 WAR is much better than your typical 4.5 era no. 5 starter.
Why would the rangers “overpay” for yet ANOTHER pitcher?? Lol. Kershaw can’t seem to stay healthy. I thought it was pathetic that the rangers gave like 45 million to deGrom and your such a fanboy that you want them to sign Kershaw??? SMH
deGrom contract will end up being one of the worst ever.
Along with the Royals deal to Lyles
The Rangers made it to back to back World series 12 years ago..
That’s almost forever for me. I was in middle school back then. Those were the good old days.
Same. Let’s hope they can get there again. They’ve beaten the top two seeds already and while they didn’t win the season series against the astros they at least took one series which hasn’t happened in years. The team is much better than people give them credit for.
Lol, I know the feeling, for a Giants fan it was a lifetime.
They aren’t giving him the QO. Its a good faith thing between front office and Kershaw
What I’m saying is if they did he would still have more than 10 days to make a decision on his future.
What you’re saying isn’t wrong. He would have more than ten days to decide on whether he retires or plays for the Dodgers. But he wouldn’t be able to consider other options. That’s the professional courtesy the Dodgers are affording Kershaw
Yes he would be able to consider options. Most players who receive QO’s sign with other teams.
On top of that, Kershaw realistically isn’t going to consider other options and if he was the Dodgers would have no reason to afford him any professional courtesy. The qualifying offer is really just a formality in most cases.
He would not be able to consider other options without first depressing his own market by turning down the QO. He would have ten days to make that decision. You would be right to say that the franchise doesn’t owe any professional courtesies to impending FAs in most cases, but Kershaw is and always has been set apart.
“He would not be able to consider other options without first depressing his own market by turning down the QO.”
I missed the part where that’s the Dodgers’ problem.
“He would have ten days to make that decision.”
And is then free to take as long as he wants to sign with whomever he wants including but not limited to the Dodgers for as much money as they’ll pay him.
I guess the part that’s hard for you to understand is that Kershaw is not just a Dodger. He is THE Dodger. His career achievements & legacy are on par with those of some of the most legendary names ever associated with one of the sport’s flagship brands. Those kind of men don’t get treated like dudes.
Sure they do. Future HOFers get QO’d every offseason. You didn’t see Giants fans tossing up any roadblocks when they QO’d Bumgarner despite him single handedly winning them a World Series.
Like I said. The QO is really just a formality at this point. He’s not leaving LA but if he wanted to then the Dodgers would not have reason to extend him an olive branch.
You just made my argument for me. Bumgarner was a dude. A dude with a nice career for a second tier franchise. You’re right, those dudes get QO’s every offseason. If all those dudes coordinated their efforts, they might be able to lift Kershaw’s jock a few inches.
“Second tier franchise” that won 3 titles in 5 years LOL.
Again the QO is just a formality. Not disrespectful at all to extend it. And at over $20m a year it isn’t exactly chump change either. Future HOFers have received them in the past. Future HOFers will receive them in the future. There is no benefit to the Dodgers in not extending it. Nor does receiving one hurt Kershaw in any way, shape or form.
just shows all you have to do is make the tournament. The Giants were hardly an elite team when they win their World Series. If memory serves, they won from the Wild Card spot twice.
I think ur totally right about this being the year people stop with the Kershaw to the Rangers narrative
He’s gonna be a career Dodger, made the playoffs 10 times since 2013 and well you know the rest
Second tier franchises win too. Those three teams won the last game and no one can argue that. But it was 50+ years before their first SF chip and ‘14 was officially a long time ago. Look at them now.
The benefit to the Dodgers is that players, their own & other clubs’, see the first class way that players/men get treated when they put the franchise first, as Kershaw has always done.
The benefit to Kershaw is whatever it is or isn’t. He’s earned the right to be finicky.
“The benefit to the Dodgers is that players, their own & other clubs’, see the first class way that players/men get treated when they put the franchise first, as Kershaw has always done.”
Ya know, 3 years ago I suggested, as a joke, that the Phillies should decline to extend the QO to J. T. Realmuto out of goodwill. Here is a response I got from someone else…
“The chances of it being read as goodwill would be slim as there’s not really any goodwill being communicated. What about it is supposed to make the player more amenable to staying? Declining to extend a QO to them, essentially swatting a free draft pick to the ground if the teams’ respective FA doesn’t re-sign, would be more of a showing of “hey, we’ve forgotten how this works.” Seems like it would make a player less amenable to remaining with their current teams. Fans would probably be none too jazzed as well.”
And it’s the same way with the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw. Also, having the QO attached only hurts the player if he is signing with someone else. Because Clayton Kershaw realistically will never sign with anyone other than the Dodgers and because declining the QO means he can take as long as he wants to decide if he wants to keep playing, there is still no benefit to not having a QO attached for Kershaw. And you’re also only allowed to QO a player once in his whole career which means if Kershaw gets one this offseason he can’t get one ever again.
No player has earned the right to “be finicky.”
They don’t want to pressure him into making a decision. They have done this with him for the last several years. And it does hurt him, because if he rejects it, teams will be less likely to try and sign because he will come with draft pick compensation. They will likely decline to extend him a QO and then wait until he’s ready to re sign.
“They don’t want to pressure him into making a decision.”
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Extending the QO isn’t pressuring the player into any decision. By your logic the Angels should decline to QO Ohtani because they don’t want to pressure him into making a decision.
.
“And it does hurt him, because if he rejects it, teams will be less likely to try and sign because he will come with draft pick compensation.
I missed the part where that’s the Dodgers’ problem!
There’s no good faith being communicated. The QO is just a formality. The MLBPA signed off on it. If they don’t like it they should have done something about it in the last CBA.
If Kersh feels like he can play at a high level he will play for the Dodgers. He has a hard time staying healthy for a full season. He should sit out April and May start ramping up in June, and be ready to play in July after all star break. I highly doubt Kershaw will do this, but it makes sense since every year now he’s injured 2-3 months anyway.
Thanks for the reminder the Rangers are a possibility for Kershaw.
They ain’t
But, they are. If I’m right, will you change your name to Mr. Wrong for the rest of the 2024 season? Put your money/username where your mouth is.
Last year I made an offer. If Kershaw signs with the Rangers I’ll renounce everything and delete my account. But if he signs with anyone else, everyone who ever linked Kershaw to the Rangers has to delete theirs. So how about I put that one back on the table?
I’m not deleting my account over that. I’m just saying it’s likely enough that you probably wouldn’t risk changing your account name or deleting it. Say there is a 10% chance of that happening – I shouldn’t be the one taking the same risk since I never said it was likely. If I’m wrong, I don’t post the first 18 days of the season. If you are wrong, you don’t post all of next season. 9-1 odds
What’s the matter cupcake? Afraid to put your money where your mouth is?
No. You are acting like you are 100% sure, while I’m saying it is a possibility. If you are certain he won’t sign with Texas, you should be the one to take the big risk, not me. I am not saying he 100% signs on Texas (or that it is even a >50% chance)
No it is not a possibility. This thread has been bookmarked.
Maybe, you should man up and yake the 18 vs 162 deal.
What so you can comment from a burner for 18 days and then come back and keep spewing the same nonsense?
You can look at the comment history. Changing my username doesn’t change my prior comments. You can see my comments on the deGrom and Eovaldi threads that I posted with a different username, but with the same account. This is not a “burner account.”
But you can create an entirely new account under a different Email address. Look at Pads Fans/websoulsurfer/outinleftfield/ BaseballisLife for instance.
Cupcake? I prefer pie.
I don’t think Kershaw signing with the Rangers is at all likely. The reason I replied was to highlight the fact that the only person so far this offseason to mention him and the Rangers is you, the person who wants the narrative to stop.
I think that reply was directed towards me @gbs42. It’s hard to keep up with these threads.
It’s inevitable that people will mention it @gbs42
Thank you for the reminder the Pirates are a possibility for Kershaw!
I couldn’t type that with a straight face.
Here is hoping that the 0.0005 chance of him do so happens 🙂
I think the Pirates’ best chance at getting Kershaw would be to build a time machine and draft him instead of Brad Lincoln. Seems like that would have worked out a little better.
Dang. Lotta good pitchers taken in that draft. Miller, Kershaw, Lincecum, Scherzer, Perez. Heck, even Ian Kennedy or Jeff Samardzija wouldn’t have been a bad pick for Pitt. Shame they ended up with Lincoln instead.
Oh look cupcake. He’s staying with LA. Add another tick to the “Harambe was right” column.
Kershaw was never a possibility for the Rangers.
ham,
Congratulations on picking the heavy favorite and being right. You’re the new Nostradamus. Don’t get hurt patting yourself in the back.
Kershaw has been quoted as saying the Dodgers and Rangers are the only possible teams he would ever consider pitching for. No one is surprised by his decision, but the Rangers were a non-zero possibly.
Yes they were a non-zero possibility.
Dec 5, 2022 Jack Harris tweet:
Kershaw confirmed his decision once again came down to the Dodgers and Rangers:
“It’s no secret. There’s only two teams I would ever play for going forward.”
lol
Seems like Kershaw was undecided on his present too
Present? Candlesticks always make a nice gift, and uh, maybe you could find out where she’s registered and maybe a place setting or maybe a silverware pattern.
Nice reference.
Ok, now let’s get two
Kershaw’s just 56 strikeouts away from 3000. Between that and the Dodgers being swept in the NLDS, I doubt this is how he’ll want to go out. He’ll be back for another season with the Dodgers.
Or, another sesson with his hometown… I’m excited again!
If this was Kershaw’s first trip through free agency and he wasn’t in his mid-30s, then maybe he’d consider Texas. In my opinion, its Dodgers or retirement at this point in his career. Its not as if the Dodgers couldn’t offer the same, if not more than what the Rangers could offer him. If his choices are retirement or playing another season, and he chooses to play again in 2024, he’ll more than likely return to LA. There were talks last year of this, but they never got too far. I don’t see why this would be the same case this off-season.
Team performance? If Texas can win the World Series, would that change the odds?
Maybe, but he already got his ring, even if it was in a shortened 60 game season, he’ll always have that ring to cherish for the rest of his life. He has nothing left to really prove. All-star games, Cy Youngs, an MVP, heck a triple-crown and gold glove. Multiple ERA and strikeout titles, incluidng a 300 K performance in 2015. He’s won nearly everything he possibly can for a pitcher to win.
If he does come back 2024 is probably it for him and the way Bochy’s teams work is they win a title one year, take the next year off and then repeat so why would he go there in 2024 if he knows they will be taking that year off?
Nope
True. Don’t forget the way he looked at Scherzer when ol’ dos colored eyes got his 3000 k while he pitched for Los Doyers. Kersh is coming back. He wants 3000
I don’t think he really cares about stats, just championships. The way it ended for him and the team might not sit well with him and he’ll come back just to make a better effort.
Couple of other noteworthy milestones he’s within reach of: he’s 0.1 bWAR away from 80, 10 wins away from surpassing Pedro Martinez, and 24 wins away from setting the all-time Dodgers record,
Plus, he is close to having the highest amount of lost games in post season history. Or, as my boi Ron Darling says: IN THE POST!
….and Derek Jeter, Mr. November himself, has struck out the most of any player in post season history.
Having the most of something negative of anything in post season history just means you’ve been there a lot!
Kershaw is 5th all time in wins, 2nd all time in K’s, 7th all time in innings in the post season. The Dodgers play into the post season almost every year !
Yeah, Mr. Greatest Singles Hitter of all time has a ton of strikeouts. He also has five full season WS rings. He didn’t choke when it counted. Kershaw is Capt. Choketober.
Would be cool if he got his 3k then walked off the field and retired.
It would he cool if I never had to swe him pitch IN THE POST again.
Or see…
KRA
Muting this troll account
KRA – Agreed, Kershaw is probably a first ballot HOF (3 Cy Young, 2.48 ERA career regular, 210-92, soon to be 3000 strikeouts), but 13-13 with a 4.49 ERA is very, very average for the postseason. Schilling would be a far superior choice for the post season 11-2 with a 2.23 ERA in the postseason. People hate Schilling, but his stats are definitely HOF worthy.
LosP…1904 – No, it would be sad to get your 3000th strikeout then retire, because ‘career’ stats are not career, they are for the regular season totals. That would mean the Dodgers would not make the postseason his last year, and it would mean he only got 56 strikeouts for an injury marred final season!
Exactly, can’t go out on that turd gm. 1 more season.
Kershaw’s such a diva. He’ll be back.
I hope he has at least one more year in him, but I get it if he is in too much pain. Amazing he was able to do what he did with the stuff he had. Just shows what a smart pitcher he is to be able to adapt like that.
Texas can welcome him in with open arms. 1/20 a third straight year would be nice. The 2 lowest career ERAs since 1961 would belong to Texas’s playoff 1 and 2 guys in Kershaw and deGrom. Kershaw is probably > deGrom in terms of performance and health. deGrom has recently been getting so many 3-2 blown calls go his way, thus partially explaining the historical double digit K/BB ratios. Now, Eovaldi and Scherzer next or just resigning Montgomery in place of Kershaw also sounds good. Guess who else also got 20 MM last year? Martin Perez (he gone)
In other news: I am undecided on what I’ll shove into my mouthpiece for lunch today. I’m thinking avocado toast, with a large slice of I can’t pitch in October.
Why don’t you shove your foot into that pie hole
Why are you so angry? Do you need a hug?
It’s curious. The Dodgers are almost uniquely place to put him on vacation and only begin his season after the All-Star break so that he’s in peak form as of the postseason.
But they never do it.
> deGrom has recently been getting
> so many 3-2 blown calls go his way
deGrom had Tommy John surgery.
There is no “recently” for him.
In recent seasons
You mean he gets called strikeouts on 3-2 pitches maybe out of the zone? That must be “catcher framing”.
In the NL as well – now, that sounds like umpires giving him reputational calls
Lol reputational calls?
Yeah. Evan Carter gets those as well, along with Josh Smith. Guys with a reputation for throwing strikes or taking balls tend to get favorable calls at times. It may be an illusion, but I have certainly seen periods of time over which those 2 hitters and deGrom have gotten incredibly lucky with umps.
Not so fast, Grasshopper. Maddox and Galvine got those close calls to go their way all the time.
The best of the best, pitchers and hitters, have earned the benefit of the doubt. The exact same 3-2 borderline pitch thrown to Willie Mays and Hank Aaron gets called, Ball 4 while Steve Jeltz and Solly Drake are walking back to the dugout.
Im wishing for one more year
I’m wishing not in LA
At this point, Kersh should sit out the first half and make his debut after the all-star break. Dodgers need to go after Snell to bolster the top of the rotation.
You are either in, or not! The season is 162 games. If you cannot compete you need to get out! Very harsh for someone, as great as he is, but the truth hurts!
Half the NBA stars sit plenty of games to rest, no shame in an MLB pitcher doing the same. While still a fair amount, not quite as much incentive to win the division as in the past as well.
@UWPSUPERFAN77: What’s it to you? Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez did that.
@UWP.etc That’s ridiculous. By that ‘logic’ teams should simply play their best lineups in every game, invariably resulting in a July with 9 AAA starters (or 8 AAA guys and Marcus Semien, if you’re Texas).
So, once you acknowledge it’s ridiculous, it’s only a matter of time before you admit that “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need” is the only way to assign playing time and time off.
It’s also the only way to run an economic system, but we’ll get to that later in the lesson on being humane.
No thanks – he’s in for some major regression back to the norm. Highest walk rate since his rookie year – he did well to dodge damage this year, but it isn’t sustainable.
Snell would be workhouse n could replace Urias. Believe your right, Kershaw has ALOTA innings on that arm n @this point of his career by Oct seems like he’s gassed.
But Snell will have his choice of teams. It’s not all about the Dodgers.
After a good regular season with diminished velocity, but a devastatingly bad post season outing I can see how he would be seriously considering retirement.
If he does retire, he is a first ballot HOF. For me, I would rather remember him as the dominant Kershaw than someone just hanging on a couple more seasons just to collect a paycheck.
I agree. First ballot HOF elected for sure.
He seems to enjoy playing but his shoulder and other ailments may prevent him from returning.
yeah but he’s 25-8 with a 2.37 ERA and 274 SOs in 258 IPs the last two seasons. We aren’t talking about watching Waino pitch to a 7+ ERA just to eke out 5 wins
certainly not the dominant pitcher he was in his prime, but he had the 2nd best ERA of any pitcher with 100+ IPs this year (behind Snell)
“Clayton Kershaw Undecided On Future”
You just got caught up on North Korea, huh?
Yeah…me too.
Dustin May should not be counted on for ANYTHING. In five years, the most innings he has pitched is 56 and he has been a starter the whole time. He is the Dodgers version of Tyler Glasnow except not as healthy.
But Dodger Stadium allows basically anyone to look like a great pitcher, so they will be fine with just getting a couple of minor signings or trades.
With D. May having back to back surgeries now, I think his future lies in the bullpen. Could maybe become a dominant closer.
I doubt he will ever be healthy enough even for that.
Yup turn May into 1 inning stud. He’s got electric stuff.
Clayton Kershaw sure fed the narrative this year of being the absolute best regular season pitcher of his generation even including Verlander and Scherzer who are obviously in his tier. I have no qualms with anyone who ranks these three hall of fame pitchers in a different order. But even if he is not in pain, his stuff over the past couple months was not the same. Let Kershaw decide if he wants 3000 strikeouts or not but he can stop now and at most be one or two votes from a unanimous first ballot hall of fame.
The other two also part timers who are paid way over present value
There’s no gas left in that tank. As much as he probably doesn’t want to look back and his last start be a third of an inning with 6 earned runs surrendered but if that’s what it is, thats what it is.
If he can keep pitching, why not? If not, I’m sure the Dodgers have a position ready for him to move into upon retirement.
Pitching coach?
@In Seager/Bauer We Trust
I’m not sure about that but maybe something in player development and such. Honestly, I have no clue but I wouldn’t be surprised that the opportunity is there. He may just say no and want to spend time with his family too, which is great.
I admire you referring to me with my full username lol
He wants to be with his family too much. Probably part-time studio analyst
Seems like a perfect candidate for coming back in June like Clemens and Pettite did a few times a number of years ago. Especially since his velocity continued slowing throughout the season.
geofft
I keep thinking this
Let him spend a few more months at home with the wife and kids
Let him come back after the AS break.
If Texas signs him, I’ll go from deGrom Texas Ranger to Kershaw Texas Ranger. It might not be likely, but there is still a chance, like how Texas making up 38 games on the Astros over last season was unlikely, but possible.
You better hope Evan Carter slows Urquidy down, or it’ll be a redux of 2011. Godspeed.
Astros just won two in Dallas. So much for the Rangers steamrolling them.
Class guy on and off the field. One of the best to ever do it.
The only question left at this point is when he starts the 5 year countdown to Cooperstown.
As great as Kershaw has been it’s time to look towards the future and wisely spend this 20M.
Kind of hoping he comes back for one more season because I don’t want the last thing I saw before he goes to Cooperstown was him getting shelled in the playoffs. Very selfish of me, I know. So much wanted to see one of the all-time greats go out on something better than that game.
He’ll just get shelled again in next year’s playoffs.. While he’s been a great regular season pitcher, he’s just not been very good in the playoffs.
He’s been average. Some really great games and some really bad ones. Same with Verlander too by the way
Exactly, too proud 2 go out on that turd performance. He ain’t goin out like that, he’s too competitive. 1 more yr, proclaim it’s last1 n he can do the “miggy” retirement party league conga line coming to a stdm near U. Would seriously consider offering the half season commitment to keep body fresh 4playoffs.
I am a Giants fan going back to 60’s. But Kershaw is probably one of my top 5 favorite athletes today. I’d take him in a hesrtbeat but he’ll never sign with SF. Unless, they hire Mattingly to manage the Giants, then maybe, but I still doubt it. He’s a class act but not a number one. Without all of the Dodgers starter issues he probably is a 3 or a 4. With the starter issues he was relegated to being a 1. I’m glad Dodgers lost, of course, but man I hated seeing Kershaw in that dugout after he came out. Love that guy. And yeah, I’d love to see SF hire Mattingly.
Greetings from and to an NL West buddy.
Best thing about this thread is Dodgers fans not big mouthing that they are the best team around.
Here’s to hopes for another year like this one.
Most Dodger fans on this site are usually great. Many have solid takes. Lasorda annoyed me, always, but Mattingly/Roberts I like and admire. I think both were good managers and I think Roberts is better than many say. That dude has had very bad luck. Uriah and Bauer aren’t his fault. And Buehlers injury? That guy is bad ass. So I feel for Roberts. So I can’t hate the Dodgers. Besides, hate is a strong and stupid word when you don’t know people personally. Anyway, I’m now rooting for Dbacks v Philly. But v Bochy or Baker? I can’t. Baker is a saint to me. High quality person. And Bochy? I’ll never root against him.
Good luck with the Phillies. They are going to need it.
Phillies win that series in five, six games at the most.
Mr Kershaw
Take a good look at Adam Wainwright’s numbers for this year. Thats what happens when all the gas is gone and the velo goes south.
Let us remember you as the pitcher you have been, not a pale imitation desperately chasing landmark numbers
Please.
137 ks in 131ip. 2.46 era. BUT 19 hrs. These aren’t comparable to Wainwright. BTW, the 2 pitchers have never been comparable. Wainwright was good but he ain’t in same level as Kershaw. Career era of 2.48. Funny, his era this season was below his career era. He’s got plenty left “in the tank”.
I’d agree that he’s been a level above Wainwright. I don’t know if I’d agree that he has “plenty left in the tank”, but it’s definitely enough to be a solid starter. The question is just what’s the actual issue with his shoulder.
agreed re shoulder. But with his 2023 stats, I believe there’s plenty left. If the numbers were showing regression, then you’re right–“plenty” doesn’t apply.
He’s definitely a level above Wainwright. Dont want to see him become just another old guy pitcher with his best stuff gone missing
He was in the running for the Cy Young until the injury and even after, with diminished stuff still pitched to a 2.26 Era. Definitely not Wainwright numbers
Just pay him $1m per start, if he makes 22 like usually then he’s about right and if he makes more or less it scales up or down.
When does he get offered a huge hometown discount. Hall of Famer person and player. now a part time star. Dodgers need him, but at what cost. Need to rebuild their starting staff. When you go to Fat Lance in an elimination game,you are in trouble!
In the playoffs this year Roberts allowed his starters to give up 6 runs while getting just one out in the first game and 4 HR in one inning. Wtf?
I wonder how drastically different his career would’ve panned out if he pitched in the AL East or the American League in general with the DH instead of a pitcher batting 9th every game. He’s ERA would undoubtedly be higher but by how much?
Drastically different not at all. What you are trying to find out, people have been playing with for years before the DH was introduced to both leagues. On average the ERA for pitchers was roughly 0.30 higher in the AL than in the NL. So add 0.30 to Kershaw’s ERA and you are probably not far from what it might have been.
On average isn’t the same as an elite level SP. Yes, it could have been a bit higher, but if on average it went up .30era I would guess an elite SP at the time probably might have gone up maybe .10, and possibly down too seeing the AL lineups so irregularly during the majority of his career. Either way, I wouldn’t suspect a major swing.
Time to hang it up.
Is Dave Roberts’ Job in jeopardy? With 100+ Wins & getting knocked out in the First round in 3 of the past 4 full seasons, wouldn’t ownership see it as hitting a wall?
MW
What did Roberts do to cause the losses?
Starting Lynn didn’t help
Dave doesn’t know how to successfully manage in the post season. He says one thing then does another.
He is a deer in the headlights manager
vtad
Why do you think that was Roberts’ decision?
What? You would have jumped for joy if he started Stone or Grove?
Allowing Kershaw to pitch the first game of the series. His playoff history shows he’s not been good.
Kellin
1) why do you think that was Roberts’ decision
2) how did that cost them!
Robert’s job is secure. He’s following the script he’s given including losing badly in the playoffs. Mattingly either wouldn’t or objected to it so they got rid of him.
Definitely not in jeopardy. He took a team in transition that most experts picked to finish behind the Padres and D-Backs to a 100 win season even after losing his entire starting lineup to injury. Should be in strong contention for Manager-of-the-year.
No one expected the Dodgers to finish the season behind the Diamondbacks in the standings.
Everyone except Dodgers fans expected them to get sent packing early in the playoffs.
Hi
Kershaw may be waiting until February to see how his winter training program goes and ALSO, who the FO acquires through a trade or FA signing
How about he does an old guy reverse scenario instead of waiting until Jun or July to come back, instead he shows up in April but agrees to go home by the end of September?
4 homeruns in an inning is so bad! The White Sox reportedly had a high asking price for him. Lol
Love kershaw and he has been a great Dodger. But Father Time has come. Hang ‘em up or go team up with seager
Kershaw will be a Dodger for as long as they want him to be.
But between the injuries and another bad postseason performance. It might be time to move Kershaw to the closer role like John Smoltz.
Kershaw is probably waiting until February to see how his winter training program goes and ALSO if the FO acquires any starting pitchers through a trade or a FO signing
Not a Dodgers fan, but there are some laughably bad takes on here. So 60 games plus the playoffs is too small a sample size to count, yet losing a best of 5 series means the team sucks?
People seem to be have very short attention spans. I have a friend who is a huge Dodgers fan and he was concerned the team didn’t have enough pitching to get through the post season. He was optimistic the team could get past the Diamondbacks, but figured they’d meet the Braves in the next round and was certain the Braves would beat them.
But it wasn’t just a 60 game sample size.
It was realigning divisions
No fans in stands
Putting teams at disadvantages if players tested positive
Players opted out to not play that year
Forcing playoff teams to not play in home stadiums
Double headers were 7 innings
NS4L
Only for the Dodgers?
Or for every team?
Plus, they had an extra series to play and win.
They aren’t the Dodgers of 2017, that’s for sure
The 2017 Dodgers lost 2 games at home to the Astros. At home.
The regular season though, they were very very good. I might have the wrong year but around there, people were saying Kenley Jansen was the best pitcher on the planet.
You sure you put enough verys in there?
I guess I really, really, really, very, very, very much do.
Retire
HOF career
Can retire knowing he was one of the best to ever play
Don’t become a shell of your former self type of player. Hasn’t pitched more than 150 innings or 25 starts last 3 seasons.
OR
Switch to the pen and extend your career.
I think Kershaw should be open to the idea of being a closer going forward. His work horse days seem over and a pen move could afford him 5+ seasons easily. Less taxing on the arm too.
I’d like him to go another year, get those 3000 strikeouts, and then see how it goes from there. He’s been a hall of fame player for a while, but adding that milestone gives him another notch.
Maybe its time Kershaw goes back home to Texas and finish out — Texas is well positioned to follow through to WS again than LAD
No.
I think this off-season, the possibility of him going to the Rangers is at its greatest. They’re legit good, he doesn’t need to be “the guy”, and he will get to spend more time at home with his kids that, in his own words, “are about that age where he needs to be home more”.
Also, do we think that the blatant slap in the face to his faith, “sisters of mercy” by the organization could have some impact on his decision?
lol
Big oof!
Delete your account
4 months ago when I wrote that was before Dodger spent BILLIONS
What does that have to do with anything?
Time to hang it up, grandpa. Retire ringless!
2020
60 game season
Still got a ring though… I agree, it was the asterisk season, but he’s not “ringless”
I know this has been said many times but it’s true. If your team had won, you would be arguing just as hard as Dodger fans that it was legit.
Not true at all — I thought playing the season was pointless from the start. It went against everything baseball is about. Basically an extended spring training.
Neon, how did it go against “everything baseball odds about”. Baseball is about entertaining the Gans. The world was reeling from the pandemic. The fans, who were mostly stuck in there homes, needed baseball to help them feel normal, and that is what the shortened season gave them. Sports is generally a form of escapism.
A baseball season is 162 games.
I mean the Brewers were like 29 and 32 in 2020 and made the playoffs. It was a total joke.
Every team LA played that year, before the “World Series,” was down its best pitcher too. Pretty ridiculous season.
which was extended from 154, so all those don’t count, either.
Plus there used to be only four teams in the playoffs, so all these years don’t count, either.
Plus, aw f it. You are just a troll cherry picker.
Surely you can tell the difference between 60 & 154 & 162. Two of them are significantly different than the other. Thinking is hard…
I’m sure any team would want Kershaw as a 4/5 starter/ pitching coach.
Maybe if he signed with another team, he’d actually win
He may not know about his future, but he sure knows his present. Another quick and embarrassing playoff exit for a team that can win big in the regular season and chokes in the playoffs.
I really think this is the first year that the Dodgers’ post season performance has been embarrassing rather than just unimpressive. Lance Lynn was not the caliber of pitcher that the Dodgers needed to acquire after losing May, Buehler, Gonsolin and Urias. There would have been no shame in losing to a talented young team, but it is not just that they lost to the Dbacks, but that I felt if the series had to be played over, the Dbacks would have swept them again.
Lynn wasn’t the pitcher that the Dodgers wanted. Remember Eduardo Rodriguez who left them in a lurch with not much time to pivot to another choice.
It truly was an embarrassing spectacle, but I expected it.
Kershaw has been a great pitcher for the Dodgers and has had a HOF career to be sure but right now he looks like another great left handed pitcher that didn’t have anything left in the tank and his last season pitching was painful to watch and that’s Steve Carlton.
People can look at his career stats but they will always remember his last game or last season because baseball as in all other sports has always been a “what have you done for me lately” and his lately has been bad with his last outing in the disastrous category..
3fs
His last season was very good
What are you talking about?
Time for him to retire.
NL mvp is Carroll. I don’t care who wins it , it doesn’t matter. Without Carroll Arizona wouldn’t have had a wildcard birth. He gives us the belief that beating the Brewers was possible. Let alone erupting on a first ballot talent like Kershaw.
The issue here is that the MVP voting takes place before the playoffs and is revealed afterwards, according to MLB.com and announcers on various MLB games. Also, the MVP usually goes to the best, not the most valuable. Acuna, Betts, Olson, Freeman, Snell, and possibly even Juan Soto, are well ahead of him in terms of performance. Now, if we do make it the most valuable in terms of helping the team, Seager would beat Ohtani. However, that is likely not how MVP voting will go.
Plus if you take Betts’ season away from the Dodgers, they don’t sniff the playoffs. That’s value.
I get all that. But I know you know where I’m coming from. I’ll settle for unanimous ROY and a final four birth, for now.
Heck, even a Giants fan would give a standing O to CK. What ever he does he’ll always have the admiration and respect of baseball fans.
I’m done as a Dodger fan. Only two Dodgers that didn’t collapse were CT3 who Roberts barely used and Will Smith. I think we have another Black Sox type scandal that’s been running for 3 years now.
And arguably their best pitcher over the final month of the season, Pepiot, never even stepped on the mound.
Thank you for bringing up Pepiot as well. I was really upset when they didn’t bring Justin Turner back and then I felt there was something not quite right with the front office. Letting Bellinger walk for nothing didn’t seem like a baseball decision. They made up their minds they would rely heavily on the unproven pitchers.
Let him go
Would love to see him go out one more year and get to 3000 Ks but hope he is healthy enough to make that choice.
Why in these articles do writers consistently have to write a percentage for Ks and BBs instead of the actual number? I care more about how many K/9 or B/9 are the actual number instead of a percentage. It is a truer value!
if Kershaw is healthy, he should be back! He can leave that last playoff start as his last, can he?
Lots of comments posted about Kershaw’s, including some that are, well, farfetched. Bottom line is this. He will pitch for the Dodgers or retire. He isn’t going to another team. Period!
The Dodgers can’t complain about their rotation when they have a healthy Urias, but they refuse to use him. They also foolishly let Bauer go. 2 solid starters. Reminds me of the way the Government wastes money.
I guess an early exit out if the playoffs is deserved for a team more interested in pleasing cyberbullies than in winning and pleasing fans. You can’t expect anything better. It’s just what society has sunk to with social media.
I am undecided on my future too.
When talking about his last couple of months’ numbers, it should be noted that he was limited on his innings
No hof for him I hope he was a horrible playoff picture and a lot of injuries
Who remembers when Obama threw out that pathetic first pitch? A complete failure as a man
Not as bad as your namesake flying a plane while high.
more interested in Dinos future as manager
Shoulda used his lesser known right arm
Kershaw doesn’t need the money. He should retire IMO. Dodgers need a couple if not three SP’s that can give you 200IP. The youngsters can’t be expected to jump that far after only going 70-100 IP in a year.
Maybe Twins should join Pirates, Royals, Mariners, and other organizations struggling with TV broadcasting, and go streaming. WWE does it with Peacock and I know it’s a different revenue than baseball. But other sports like NFL, NHL, and arena leagues have touched foot in the streaming market. These teams should join together and attempt to do their own streaming or finding a streaming provider like HBO, Showtimes, Paramont+, or even Peacock. Get some revenue and money with some sort of TV broadcasting. Since MLB hasn’t done much with broadcasting since Bally went bankrupt at the beginning of the season, might as well take matters into their own hands. If they later get a cable/satellite deal, they still can stream. There are millions of people ditching the dish and cutting the cable while going to streaming. It’s cheaper than cable, DirectTV, Dish, and any other corporate company. Streaming is revolutionised how people can watch their programming as half, tenth, or fraction of the cost of digital or cable networks.
If I’m Kershaw I’m hanging it up.
I’d get the 3,000 punchies at least.
Hey!! Where are all the trolls at?!
Clayton has been on of the best pitchers of this century. If He didn’t miss so much time due to injury probably the best.
If he is healthy I would be surprised if he hangs them up. If I were a GM/Owner I would have no problem giving him 20-25M Plus bonuses for games played and/or innings pitched.
not taking into account of a possible QO