Clayton Kershaw’s opt-out clause after the 2018 season will be one of the MLB’s biggest stories over the next several months, but Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter is leaving no doubt about where he stands on the matter.
Walter, whose official title is controlling partner of the Guggenheim Baseball Management group that owns the Dodgers, told FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman on Saturday that he wants to keep the superstar lefty in Dodger blue for life.
“He’s a Dodger,” said Walter. “He should be a Dodger for life. … I couldn’t possibly say anything that hasn’t been said about Clayton Kershaw. He’s something special.”
For his part, Kershaw sounded rather flattered by Walter’s remarks.
“That’s cool. That’s good,” said the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner in response. “I love it here. It’s great.”
“I’ve had an amazing run here,” he added. “And I don’t take that for granted. Not many guys can say they get to go to the playoffs [almost] every year, or even that they have a chance to go to the playoffs every year.”
Of course, it is hardly shocking that the Dodgers would want to keep the soon-to-be 30-year-old Kershaw, widely seen as the best pitcher in the game, for as long as possible. But with Kershaw’s ability to decline the two years and $65 million left on his contract after this season, Walter’s remarks should at least set the tone for negotiations as the former NL MVP’s opt-out decision nears.
The Dodgers have indeed given Kershaw plenty of opportunity for contention since he debuted for them back in 2008, and that may put him in a similar position as this fellow star also able to join next winter’s free agent class.
