(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again expected to compete for a championship this season.
They have consistently been one of the best teams in the MLB over the past decade, and that does not seem to be changing anytime soon.
One of the reasons for their long-term success has been their pitching staff.
Most notably, the elite play of future Hall-of-Famer Clayton Kershaw.
He has won three Cy Young awards, and one MVP throughout his career.
Also, he has a career ERA of 2.48.
When healthy, Kershaw continues to get hitters out at a high rate.
But he is uncertain as to how many more years he wants to play.
That is why Kershaw is fine with signing a one-year deal in each offseason.
According to Jack Harris, Kershaw wants to be fully committed each year.
Clayton Kershaw could have signed a forever contract in 2014, or in either of the past two winters
Instead, he is going year-by-year to end his Hall of Fame career — and has found renewed freedom & perspective in that approach
Story on @latimessports: https://t.co/TAJ6KBHzKY pic.twitter.com/BZXLQEp8RO
— Jack Harris (@Jack_A_Harris) March 29, 2023
That is why he resets each offseason and figures out if he has the tenacity to play another year.
Kershaw has been very good in recent years, when healthy.
But the injury bug has bitten him plenty of times.
He has pitched 121.2 and 126.1 innings in the past two seasons.
LA hopes to get a full season out of Kershaw this year.
If he can throw 180+ innings he will most likely be in the Cy Young conversation.
Despite being 35 years old, the lefty has always got hitters out at a high clip.
The Dodgers hope to have Kershaw for a few more seasons after this one.
But, it will all depend on how he feels next offseason.
The post Clayton Kershaw Explains Why He Doesn’t Sign Long-Term Contracts appeared first on The Cold Wire.