The Los Angeles Dodgers have been the most active team in Major League Baseball this offseason, significantly bolstering their roster. They excelled in the free agent market, bringing in pitchers Blake Snell, Rori Sasaki, Tanner Scott, and Kirby Yates, as well as outfielders Michael Conforto, Teoscar Hernandez, and infielder Hyeseong Kim.
However, one crucial piece was missing from LA’s offseason moves. Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw, a key player since his 2008 MLB debut, entered free agency this offseason. At 38 years old, it seemed inevitable that he would return to the Dodgers, and that became a reality on Tuesday when ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez reported that Kershaw had agreed to a new contract and was seen playing catch at the team’s spring training facility.
Clayton Kershaw is at the Dodgers facility playing catch. He and the Dodgers have agreed to terms on a new contract, per source, though he still has to finish going through his physical.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) February 11, 2025
Kershaw’s career accolades highlight his excellence; he stands as one of the best starting pitchers of his generation, alongside Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, being one of the only active pitchers with three Cy Young Awards. Notably, he won the MVP award in the same season he clinched a Cy Young, achieving this in 2014. Over his impressive 17-year career, Kershaw boasts a record of 212-94 with a standout 2.50 ERA, the lowest among active pitchers. As he embarks on the 2025 season, Kershaw is on the brink of a remarkable milestone with 2,968 career strikeouts, aiming to become the 20th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 strikeouts.
Social media erupted with excitement over his return. Here are some fan reactions:
3000 Ks for sure, 225 W possible. Hopefully keeps career ERA at 2.50 or below, but unlikely. Even though he’s spent a lot of the time on the shelf, he’s still 68-30 w/ a 2.83 ERA (145 ERA+), about a 5-to-1 K/BB, 1.03 WHIP and more than a batter struck out per inning from 2018-24 https://t.co/HAXUFRsiRC
— d. mack (@dalton_mack) February 11, 2025
KING KERSH https://t.co/LGQRwVZMkY pic.twitter.com/aczxxYCuSC
— DodgersMemeTeam WORLD CHAMPS (@DodgersMemeTeam) February 11, 2025
But seriously has any team in professional sports ever had a better offseason? https://t.co/tCTiT2JEAV
— Hannah Davis (@hannahpearld) February 11, 2025
My GOAT is retiring a Dodger. https://t.co/acSBRS4QeM
— nate (@tortnathan) February 11, 2025
