Clayton Kershaw-Rangers speculation intensifies after pitcher spotted at Mavericks game

Oh no! Clayton Kershaw doing fun stuff outside of baseball! Noooo!!! It must mean he’s made a free agency decision before the lockout even ended. This can’t be happening. Won’t have it!

The Los Angeles Dodgers couldn’t come to an agreement with Kershaw before commissioner Rob Manfred decided to ruin all of our lives, and it has fostered some unhealthy speculation. Will Kershaw retire given his elbow issues from last year? Or will he stay closer to home and sign with the Texas Rangers?

In case you wanted a good old freakout, Kershaw was spotted at Wednesday night’s Mavericks-Warriors game in Dallas, which featured Dirk Nowitzki’s number retirement. The Dodgers legend was sitting courtside next to Dallas Cowboys star wideouts Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb.

There’s only one logical next step. Yup, you’ve guessed it: signing with the Rangers. Sorry guys, we don’t make the rules.

Dodgers Rumors: Clayton Kershaw spotted at Mavericks game fuels Rangers speculation

Just kidding, guys! This is where he’s from! Of course he’s going to enjoy a nice night out during the offseason and when he’s unable to work with team doctors as he works his way back from injury.

But that doesn’t mean it didn’t spur more Rangers-Kershaw buzz … though one Dodgers insider believes there’s no chance the left-hander leaves Los Angeles. Twitter was having its fun the moment Kershaw made it on the big screen.

You never know … the more time Kershaw has to think, the worse it gets for the Dodgers. And it certainly doesn’t help LA lost two important players (one of whom is trying to recruit Kershaw to Texas) with another in Kenley Jansen expected to depart after the lockout.

The sick part is that the Rangers, after spending $500 million on Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, still only have a payroll of $136 million heading into 2022. That gives them more financial flexibility than the Dodgers, who might be struggling to squeeze more dollars on the payroll when you realize they reportedly offered Seager a contract with a ton of deferrals.

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From a personal standpoint, Kershaw welcomed his fourth child last month, which makes an even more convincing case he might be inclined to remain closer to home in 2022, especially since the Dodgers got significantly worse and will likely have to scramble post-lockout to make up for the losses.

Throw in the future Hall of Famer’s attendance at a basketball game in Texas, and you have a true “Beginner’s Guide to Losing Your Mind About Losing Beloved Player in Free Agency.”

Dodgers fans approaching months of Clayton Kershaw-Rangers fears

Los Angeles Dodgers free agent lefty Clayton Kershaw going to the Texas Rangers seemed ridiculous two months ago. Now? We wait, and it's scary.