Clayton Kershaw declines 2025 player option with Dodgers, becomes a free agent

LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw is a free agent.

The veteran did not exercise the player option for 2025 in his Dodgers contract, technically making him a free agent. Asked about his plans after the World Series victory parade on Friday, the future Hall of Famer would not say what he planned to do about the player option but made it clear he wants to be back with the Dodgers in 2025.

“I don’t know (how that will play out),” he said. “I’ll be back, somehow. I don’t care. I’ll be back.”

By declining the player option, Kershaw gives himself more flexibility in negotiating a new contract for 2025 with the Dodgers. The option would have guaranteed Kershaw a $10 million base salary with the potential for $15 million more in bonuses based on how much he is able to pitch next season.

Kershaw announced that he will have two surgeries this week – a minor procedure to repair meniscus damage in his left knee and a more complicated procedure to address the chronic problems in the big toe on his left foot.

Kershaw said he didn’t know a timeline for his rehab from those surgeries. It is entirely probable that he will not be ready to start the season on time and a new contract could be worked out with new bonuses reflecting that.

Declining the option also gives the three-time Cy Young Award winner as much time as he wants before locking in to a new contract.

In other contract news, the Dodgers exercised the club options they held on two role players – shortstop Miguel Rojas and backup catcher Austin Barnes.