Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw set another franchise record with his eighth consecutive Opening Day start to begin the 2018 season. He allowed just one run over six innings pitched, but was on the losing end of a 1-0 shutout.
He then was a tough-luck loser again in his second start, giving up two solo home runs to the Arizona Diamondbacks over six innings pitched. Given his potential free agent status at the end of the year, Kershaw may soon face an abundance of questions on his opt-out clause.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner won’t entertain such hypotheticals, however, and is only focused on getting hitters out this season, via Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
“I will say, ‘My focus right now is on trying to get people out for my next start,'” Kershaw said.
“That will be what is said. There will be a time to think about all that stuff, but that will be after the season. I’ve been to everywhere now. I know what it’s like. I don’t need to worry about that now. I can sift through all that stuff, if I have to, in the offseason.”
It shouldn’t be a surprise that Kershaw has his attention solely on the 2018 season, given his competitive nature and desire to add a World Series championship to his illustrious résumé.
Considering all that he has accomplished to date, Kershaw can comfortably wait until the offseason to determine his long-term future, whether it’s re-signing with the Dodgers or joining another organization.
He can opt out of his current seven-year contract and test the free agent waters that may also include Josh Donaldson, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, among others. That’s assuming Kershaw remains healthy and enjoys another elite campaign that he is accustomed to.
Earlier this spring, Kershaw said he hasn’t yet thought about the possibility of opting out. Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi previously said that the club is keeping tabs with the 30-year-old, with respect to hammering out a contract extension.
