The 2023-2024 offseason could change into often called the winter of Clayton Kershaw. Actually, the Dodgers and their ace have confronted a fork within the highway on the subject of his future just a few occasions over the 16 years he’s placed on the Los Angeles uniform. Nevertheless, this offseason seems like the primary time Clayton actually might transfer on.
Whether or not meaning retiring or signing elsewhere stays to be seen.
FOX play by play man and Dodgers main broadcaster Joe Davis was requested his ideas on the Kershaw scenario in LA. Talking with TMZ Sports activities, Davis’s ideas weren’t overly shocking.
“I don’t have something actual or particular on the place his head is at. I simply know that yearly he goes into the offseason, not likely understanding what he’s going to do subsequent. He doesn’t need to decide to pitching when he’s not sure that he can do it, no. 1 bodily. And no. 2, emotionally, you understand, being away from his younger household. So, he and his spouse Ellen are gonna do what they all the time do and sit down and resolve., And he’s there are three choices every year at this level. It’s, maintain pitching for the Dodgers, maintain pitching for the Rangers or retire.”
Through TMZ Sports activities
That’s been the play for the Kershaw household for the previous few winters. For this winter, nonetheless, the opportunity of the left-hander retiring appears extra actual than ever.
Kershaw put collectively one other advantageous season however missed almost two months with a shoulder subject for the primary time in his profession. The problem considerably affected his stuff on the mound and will in the end most have an effect on his plan for the long run. It isn’t the primary time he’s entered an offseason in a precarious spot bodily. He missed the ultimate month and playoffs in 2021 whereas coping with a forearm damage. A participant lockout put in place by Main League Baseball amid an deadlock throughout Collective Bargaining Settlement negotiations purchased Kershaw extra time to relaxation and assess if his physique and arm might maintain up for one more season.
He signed a one 12 months deal again with the Dodgers shortly after the lockout was lifted and put collectively one other Kershaw-esque season in 2022. Following the shock of the early 2022 postseason exit by the hands of the San Diego Padres, Kershaw pretty shortly re-upped with the crew for 2023 however at the moment there was a sense of unfinished enterprise in LA.
It might not be the identical feeling this time round.
“It’s a fairly easy resolution,” Davis added. “Nevertheless it’s definitely one which lots of the Dodgers’ offseason plans will hinge on the result of.”
Easy within the three decisions for Kershaw however maybe by no means harder for the long run Corridor of Famer.
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Photograph Credit score: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports activities