On Monday evening, is was being widely reported on social media that 36-year-old now free-agent future Hall of Fame left-hander Clayton Kershaw would be returning to the Dodgers for the 2025 season … sort of.

Although there has been no official word from the Dallas,TX native and first-round draft pick by the Dodgers in 2006 out of Highland Park High School in Dallas, or from the Dodgers, the extremely popular left-hander told the world during Friday’s parade in downtown Los Angeles that he would be a “Dodger for life.”

That being said, it was also reported on Monday that the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) announced that Kershaw had declined his $10 million player option with the Dodgers, thereby officially becoming a free agent.

Although sounds terrifying for Dodger fans, it is actually the ultimate show of respect by the future Hall of Famer to the only team that he has ever played for and the only team that he ever wants to play for. By declaring free agency, it not only gives the Dodgers time to monitor his recovery, but it also allows the 2024 World Series champs to enter the Hot Stove Season with an extra spot on their 40-man roster – at least for a little while.

How’s that for a class act.

Then again, it is Clayton Kershaw we’re talking about here. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone classier.

Play Ball!

  *  *  *  *  *  *