Dodgers: Andrew Friedman Speaks on Importance of Re-Signing Clayton Kershaw

Dodgers team president Andrew Friedman has never known what it’s like to manage an organization without Clayton Kershaw on the roster. Luckily for Dodgers fans, the streak will continue for at least one more year. The lefty agreed to a one-year deal with LA this past Friday. Friedman made sure to make contact with Kershaw once the lockout ended.

“Post lockout, he was the first phone call I made and we worked quickly to get it done.”

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He continued to explain how important it was for his team and the franchise to re-sign Kershaw.

“What Kersh has meant to this organization and the city of Los Angeles, goes without talking about. Going into the offseason for us, it was the number one priority. Keeping Kersh in Dodger blue was our biggest priority coming in.”

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In addition to Friedman’s comments, his previous actions also demonstrated an admiration and respect for Kershaw.

The Dodgers team president elected not to offer the three-time Cy Young winner a qualifying offer this past November. Had Friedman done so, Kershaw would have only had ten days to accept or decline the offer. In other words, ten days to decide whether or not his troublesome elbow was ready for another major league season.

Kershaw showed his appreciated for Friedman’s gesture over the weekend when discussing why he choose to re-sign with the Dodgers. 

“It’s a credit to Andrew [Friedman] as well not having to do the qualifying offer, that was really nice. Didn’t have to make that decision right away which was huge for me. It just gave me time to figure it out.”

The importance of having Clayton Kershaw back on the Dodgers isn’t lost on anyone. Especially, Andrew Friedman.

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Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw Discusses Why He Choose to Re-Sign with LA