Clayton Kershaw may have thrown his last pitch in a Dodgers uniform, but the organization isn’t ready to close the book on one of the greatest players in franchise history just yet.
After news surfaced that Kershaw is nearing a deal to join NBC’s MLB coverage team, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman made it clear: the door is wide open in Los Angeles if the future Hall of Famer ever wants to come back-just in a different role.
“Hopefully we’re fortunate enough to get him to work with us,” Friedman said during a recent appearance on Dodgers Territory. “But it won’t be the same, not having him around on a daily basis.
…That was my shameless plug, Kersh, in case you’re listening. Come work with us.”
It was a lighthearted moment, but the sentiment behind it was genuine. The Dodgers aren’t just looking to honor Kershaw’s legacy-they’d love to keep his presence in the building, even if he’s not toeing the rubber every fifth day.
Kershaw, for his part, acknowledged that Friedman had already approached him earlier in the offseason about staying involved with the team in some capacity.
“He mentioned something where I could hang out,” Kershaw said. “That’s good, man.
I don’t know what that looks like. But this is a special organization.
They don’t need me to win World Series. That’s obvious.
But if there’s anything I can do in the future to be part of it, be around it, I hope that’s the case.”
For now, though, Kershaw’s priorities are firmly at home.
“I think first and foremost is for me to have this fifth kid and be a dad for a while,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any full-time jobs in my immediate future.”
That’s about as understandable as it gets. After 18 grueling seasons at the highest level, the left-hander has more than earned a breather-and some quality time with his growing family.
Still, the Dodgers aren’t shy about what Kershaw means to them, and Friedman made that clear. Beyond the accolades and the records, Kershaw’s impact on the team culture is something the front office values just as much as his Hall of Fame résumé.
“Any time Clayton Kershaw wants to go at it, you want that competitor on your side,” Friedman said. “For him to finish second in innings on our team, based on the conversations in March and how much time he was going to miss to start the year, it’s just not surprising with that guy. Beyond what he means over his career and the impact he’s had on this city, the impact he has on our clubhouse-he’s also still really good.”
That last point is worth underlining. Even in the twilight of his career, Kershaw wasn’t just a presence-he was producing.
Despite entering the 2025 season with questions about his health and availability, he still finished second on the team in innings pitched. That’s the kind of competitor he’s always been: resilient, reliable, and relentlessly effective.
And let’s not forget the résumé. Kershaw walks away from the game with an MVP, three Cy Young Awards, three World Series rings, and a long list of other honors.
He’s one of just 20 pitchers in MLB history to reach 3,000 strikeouts-and only the third left-hander to do it. That’s rarified air, and it cements his place among the all-time greats.
So while the Dodgers may be turning the page on a new chapter without their longtime ace, they’re not closing the book entirely. Whether it’s a front office role, special advisor, or just “hanging out,” as Kershaw put it, the organization clearly wants him around in some capacity.
He may not be in the dugout this season, but make no mistake-Clayton Kershaw is still very much a part of the Dodgers’ DNA. And if the timing ever feels right, there’s a seat waiting for him in Chavez Ravine.