Why haven’t Dodgers given Clayton Kershaw an extension if he’s not considering retirement?

When the Los Angeles Times visited Clayton Kershaw at his home in Texas for an interview, there was a moment in which many thought the left-hander could retire after the 2021 season.

But most Dodgers fans didn’t believe it for a second.

Kershaw’s a generational talent and still has years of production left to further bolster his Hall of Fame resumé.

Why call it quits so soon?

Then again, nobody really knew what was going on because the veteran is entering the final year of his contract and the Dodgers haven’t approached him about an extension despite the fact they just won the World Series.

What makes this all the more confusing is that Kershaw cleared the air on the unfounded retirement discourse … but for some reason is still entering the season without security beyond 2021. If he never had plans to retire, how did the Dodgers not know about them? Maybe they did. Who knows.

Clayton Kershaw won’t be retiring, but where’s his contract extension from the Dodgers?

The last time Kershaw “hit free agency,” it was a bit different. He had an opt-out clause that he exercised, so it wasn’t a true contract year in which he had no idea what would be coming next once November arrived.

Now, as he enters the final season of the three-year, $93 million deal he signed after that opt out, there are a number of other questions/factors that weren’t present back after the 2018 season.

The Dodgers signed Mookie Betts to a $365 million extension, added Trevor Bauer on the highest AAV in MLB history for 2021 (and likely 2022), and have contract issues to eventually settle with Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger and Walker Buehler. David Price is also in town for the next two years and the rotation has a slew of young options in Dustin May, Julio Urias and Tony Gonsolin if the Dodgers were to lose anybody.

But Kershaw is a different story. He’s a Dodger lifer, without question. He’s endured the maximum amount of heartbreak with this team before ultimately achieving the last accomplishment that stood in his way (winning the World Series) from a career standpoint this past year. There’s no scenario in which fans can imagine him playing elsewhere.

Kershaw’s captured an MVP, three Cy Young Awards, five ERA titles, a pitching triple crown, a Gold Glove award, eight All-Star nods, and a championship. Why the Dodgers haven’t opted to give him security at this juncture, we don’t know. While many likely don’t think there’s some ulterior motive, it’s definitely not the best of looks.

Perhaps they both agreed to wait and see where the franchise is after this season given everything that needs to be addressed. That’d be the best-case scenario. But until then, we’ll be waiting for the legendary lefty to get a new deal because it’s what he deserves.

Dodgers: Could Clayton Kershaw retire after the 2021 season?

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw will be at a crossroads after 2021, when the left-hander will be a free agent.