Kershaw is released as a free agent after this season… Rumors of a transfer to his hometown, Texas, have begun again, showing
signs of aging such as a decrease in fastball velocity after an injury in June… Possibility of retirement
Reporter Kwon Hyuk-jun = What will happen next season for Clayton Kershaw (35), who has once again experienced the nightmare of the postseason? Locally, the possibility of retirement is also being predicted.
The LA Dodgers lost 2-4 to the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 3 of the Major League Postseason National League Division Series (best of 5) held at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, USA on the 12th (Korean time) and were eliminated with 3 consecutive losses. .
The Dodgers, who had 100 wins (62 losses) in the regular season, ended ‘fall baseball’ somewhat in vain.
The speed of Kershaw, the team’s franchise star, is bound to be frustrating. Kershaw was selected as the starting pitcher in Game 1, but he became the losing pitcher due to his worst pitching, allowing as many as six runs while allowing one out in the first inning. The Dodgers lost the second and third games, and Kershaw, who was scheduled to start Game 4, did not even get a chance to regain his honor.
Kershaw is one of the best active starting pitchers with a career record of 210 wins, 92 losses, and an ERA of 2.48 during the regular season, and who won the Cy Young Award three times.
However, his poor performance continues once he gets to the postseason. Since his debut, Kershaw has recorded 13 wins, 13 losses, and a 4.49 earned run average in 39 postseason appearances. He has a lot of experience conceding a large number of goals at important moments.
With the nightmare repeating again this year, Kershaw had another moment to think about. He has repeatedly signed a one-year short-term contract with the Dodgers for the past two years, and will become a free agent again this offseason.
Kershaw’s short-term contract is different from that of other star players. After waiting a year, he is not saying he is going for the ‘big hit’ again, but is considering whether to extend his active duty.
Last year, the possibility of Kershaw moving to his hometown team, the Texas Rangers, or retiring from active duty was raised. After a long period of worry, he signed a contract with his original team, the Dodgers, in March.
This time, the situation is similar to his last year. He is once again faced with a choice.
The LA Times, a Los Angeles-area newspaper, said, “Kershaw signed a one-year contract the past two offseasons to secure the flexibility of joining his native Texas or retiring,” adding, “But now the question is whether he has time left.” ” he predicted.
Since Kershaw returned from a shoulder injury last June, his fastball velocity has decreased and his control has also been shaky.메이저놀이터
In Game 1 of the division series against Arizona, his lackluster pitch was criticized, and opposing hitters continued to produce well-hit balls. As he is now in his mid-30s, some say he has entered the ‘aging curve’.
However, Kershaw has not yet opened his mouth about his future plans. He said, “I don’t know how to answer yet. I think it will take a little more time to think about it than last year.”