Dodgers President Says Team 'Absolutely' Wants Clayton Kershaw Back Amid Retirement Rumors

Andrew Friedman said the Dodgers would “absolutely” welcome back Kershaw for a 17th season.

Clayton Kershaw will be a free agent after the ‘23 MLB season, and he left the door open to potentially retiring after the Dodgers were eliminated from the postseason by the Diamondbacks.

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman spoke on Kershaw’s future in Los Angeles on Tuesday, telling reporters that the organization would “absolutely” do whatever it takes to bring him back, should he wish to return. 

“I think he and Ellen are going to take some time right now and assess. The ball’s squarely in their court,” said Friedman of Kershaw and his wife, via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. 

When asked about retirement after Game 3 of the NLDS, Kershaw said he “didn’t know how to answer” the question.

This season, the 35-year-old was his usual dominant self. He made 24 starts and pitched 131 2/3 innings, registering a 2.46 ERA with 137 strikeouts. His postseason struggles continued, however, as he surrendered six earned runs in just 1/3 inning in Game 1 against Arizona.

During an appearance on the Foul Territory podcast, Dodgers infielder Max Muncy spoke about Kershaw’s future, though he wouldn’t reveal all too much.

“Yeah, it’s tough for me to speak on. I’ll say this, if he feels like he can still go out there and compete, he’s probably going to compete,” said Muncy of Kershaw’s future plans. “If he feels like he can’t get it done then that might be it. I don’t know where he’s feeling."

Kershaw, one of the greatest pitchers in franchise history, has pitched 16 seasons in MLB, all with the Dodgers, making 425 appearances and recording a 2.48 career ERA.