Dodgers: Former teammate sheds light on Clayton Kershaw’s impending free agency

The Los Angeles Dodgers have really done a bang-up job keeping attention away from their upcoming offseason, which is expected to either feature a lot of turnover or a TON of spending.

Once November hits, Clayton Kershaw, Corey Seager, Chris Taylor, Max Scherzer, Kenley Jansen and others will be free agents, and the front office will likely need to prioritize who they’d like to keep, since those are all high-priced names.

Winning 88 games and orchestrating an explosive trade deadline certainly shifts focus, doesn’t it? But it won’t last forever. We’ll have to discuss this eventually … and soon.

Even though he’s far from the top performer of this group, Kershaw’s free agency is arguably the most notable given his career up until this point with the team and the legacy he’s created.

His recent injury issues have certainly complicated things. He’s made just 18 starts over the last two years.

But if you ask former teammate and close friend AJ Ellis, Kershaw won’t be going anywhere. He’s a Dodger for life.

How did we miss this from late August?! Come on, now!

"“No chance,” Ellis told Bill Shaiken of the Los Angeles Times. “He’s a one-uniform guy. He’s going to be a one-uniform guy with an amazing contingent at Cooperstown some day. It’s going to be pretty special for that to happen, and to see that No. 22 retired at Dodger Stadium, and to see a statue someday.”"

Can you picture Kershaw playing for another team? We really can’t. His 14 years in LA have solidified his Hall of Fame case and it’d almost be a sin to watch him put on another uniform … especially when the Dodgers are still perennial championship contenders. Let’s get him a few more rings, eh?

Will he sign another mega contract that makes him one of the highest-paid pitchers in the league? Probably not. Will the two sides be engaged in a tense negotiation battle? We’re not sure, but with the way Ellis made it sound, it seems like Kershaw will be understanding of the situation, the fact he’s on the back-nine of his career, and the need to pay other players who will be integral to the next great Dodgers core and/or to sustain the current one.

For now, though, he’s on the mend, hoping to contribute to the team down the stretch and in the postseason. And if Kershaw’s attitude and loyalty tell us anything, it’s that we’ll be able to patiently wait for his new contract conundrum to be resolved without much concern.

Actually, we’re just taking Ellis’ word for it.

Dodgers: Watch Clayton Kershaw uncork signature curve in rehab start

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