The Los Angeles Dodgers declined to issue the qualifying offer to longtime ace Clayton Kershaw, who's become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his esteemed career. Surprising news, considering his iconic status.
But this decision doesn't mean that the Dodgers are ready to part ways with the three-time Cy Young winner. By electing not to extend the qualifying offer -- which is a one-year deal worth $18.4 million -- both sides have more time to discuss a new contract and, more importantly, his health situation for 2022.
"It had a lot of fans here shocked, concerned, and not sure what to make of it. I say it could be a good thing. Look at it in a different way," NBC Sports LA reporter Michael Duarte told After Hours with Amy Lawrence on Monday. "The fact that they didn't [offer the QO] to Kershaw tells me they want to sit down and talk with him and bring him back on a multi-year deal so he could retire as a Dodger and wear one uniform for the entirety of his career...
"In talking to Kershaw throughout the year, getting a sense of him and talking to some of my sources, he's either probably going to stay home [in Texas] and maybe join a team like the Rangers, or he would return and finish out his career with the Dodgers... The biggest thing knowing Kershaw the way I do, is his competitiveness. And I just don't think the Rangers are there yet..."
Kershaw, who turns 34 in March, has spent his entire 14-year career with the Dodgers. Although he finished the 2021 season with a 3.55 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 22 starts, his campaign was injury-plagued, as he missed two-plus months rehabbing inflammation in his throwing forearm and elbow.
Kershaw's return in mid-September was short-lived. He exited his Oct. 1 start early due to the same injury, and didn't pitch once for Los Angeles during the postseason. At that time, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Kershaw didn't suffer ligament damage in his elbow, and won't need dreaded Tommy John surgery.
According to Spotrac.com, Kershaw currently has a projected market value of $95.4 million across three years ($31.8 million AAV), which ranks sixth-highest among starting pitchers and 10th-highest among all major league players.
The entire Los Angeles sports conversation between Duarte and Lawrence can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow After Hours With Amy Lawrence on Twitter @ALawRadio and @AfterHoursCBS, and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.