The MLB Players A sociation announced that has become a free agent. That indicates he declined his $10MM player option with the Dodgers. Kershaw has said on a few occasions that he plans to stay in Los Angeles. He announced at the World Series parade that he would be a Dodger for life. It stands to reason that the future Hall of Famer plans to renegotiate a new contract with the team, but he needed to decide by this evening whether to exercise the option. In all likelihood, this is simply a move thatll buy the sides time to hammer out a new incentive-laden deal. Kershaws last contract was heavily stocked with incentives as he returned from shoulder surgery. While hes not battling anything quite that serious this time around, he is set to undergo surgeries on his Hassan Whiteside Jersey left knee and left big toe. Kershaw and the club may want to evaluate his recovery before settling on some kind of incentive package for his next contract. That also affords an extra bit of flexibility from a roster perspective. Kershaw would have counted against the 40-man roster all winter had he exercised the option. He wont count against the roster for as long as hes a free agent. Thatll allow the Dodgers to somewhat unofficially operate with an extra spot for a while. Once Kershaw returns to L.A., hell rejoin a rotation that could lose both and to free agency. The Dodgers have , , , and among their in-house rotation options. As is the case each winter, its a group loaded with talent but plenty of durability questions. The Dodgers should be heavily involved for starting pitching. Mario Hezonja Jersey