Dodgers former MVP predicted to decline $10 million return

The Los Angeles Dodgers seem destined for another World Series run after assembling a roster of multiple MVP Award winners.

But it might be the final race for the team’s longest-tenured MVP, Clayton Kershaw. The legendary southpaw has a $10 million option for next season and Mike Axisa of CBS Sports has predicted that he’ll decline the opportunity to return on that deal as he mulls his future.

“The bet here is Kershaw will decline the player option simply to avoid making an early commitment,” Axisa projected. “Kershaw could decline the option, and if he ultimately decides to come back and play in 2025, I’m sure the Dodgers would welcome him back with open arms. The player option isn’t a money decision for Kershaw. It’s a quality of life decision more than anything.”

Even with teammates like Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani, Kershaw’s collection of hardware stands out. In addition to his MVP award from 2014, he has three Cy Young Awards, a Gold Glove Award and has made the All-Star Team in 10 different seasons. With a career 2.50 ERA and 212 wins across 17 seasons, he will go down as one of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball history.

But in his age-36 season, he’s struggled with injury. Pitching just 30 innings so far this season, he’s posted a 4.50 ERA. Now sidelined with a toe injury, he seems more focused on making a return this year than on what he might do for 2025.

“I think I’ll be able to,” Kershaw told Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times, when asked if he’ll pitch again by the end of the regular season. “I feel like I’ve got a finite window that I need to at least be throwing bullpens. If it continues, I think it’ll be good. But I can’t really have any delays.”

As Axisa noted, if Kershaw does end up declining his player option, he could still return to the team on a different deal. But it seems that continued struggles with injury have complicated what was once a clear option to make another run in 2025.

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