Dodgers News: LA Ace Has Sights Set on Upcoming Season, Not Contract Status

Julio Urias isn’t focused on contract status at the moment

Los Angeles Dodgers lefty ace Julio Urias has been one of LA's best pitchers for quite some time now. Urias exploded onto the league at 19 years old; he battled through injuries the following two years, closed things out in the 2020 World Series, and has now established himself as one of the best pitchers in the league. 

With that comes a potentially colossal contract waiting for him at the end of the 2023 season. Urias will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2023 season, and he was asked what he might do regarding his decision at the fan fest on Saturday at Dodger Stadium. 

The 26-year-old said his focus is on this upcoming season, not contract talks. 

Julio Urías was asked in Spanish about extension talks (he's a FA this winter)

"We have the WBC and then we have the season and so those are two things I'm focused on right now. My representatives and (the team) will have their chance to talk but I'm 100% focused on the field."

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 5, 2023

Urias's focus should be on this upcoming season. If he doesn't have a great year, he won't get the money he feels he deserves, whether that's with the Dodgers or not. 

The lefty is a Scott Boras client, and the Dodgers and their fans are familiar with his style of how he handles his clients. Boras wants to get his clients paid, and many of his clients have left Los Angeles for more money, i.e., Corey Seager, Trea Turner, and Cody Bellinger, to name a few. 

That's not a good sign for the Dodgers if they want to keep Urias. Their only shot at keeping him would be to offer him the most money, but will he be their top priority? 

Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani will be a free agent after 2023, and the Dodgers are set to make a run at the MVP. 

Nothing is promised for the following year, but Julio controls his destiny, and we'll see how he performs this season.