Financial Information Finally Being Released For Clayton Kershaw's New Contract with Los Angeles Dodgers

12:20 p.m. ET: According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, there is a "growing belief" that left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw will sign a deal to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

However, because of injury, he won't be able to pitch until the second half of the season.

Per Heyman:

There’s growing belief in the game alltime great LHP Clayton Kershaw will return to the Dodgers for at least a 17th season, sources tell me and @Joelsherman1

The Cooperstown bound Kershaw had a 2.46 ERA in 2023 (below 2.48 career mark) but won’t be ready to pitch at start of 2024

Sherman added this note as well:

Kershaw had shoulder surgery on 11/3. Not expected to return (at earliest) until 2d half. 1st day Dodgers can put a player on the 60-man IL and not use a 40-man roster spot is Thursday, so could be waiting until then to finalize a deal.

If Kershaw wants to return, it could very well be because he wants his second World Series ring. He helped the Dodgers win the World Series in 2020 but after adding Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow this offseason, Los Angeles appears to be the favorite in the National League - along with the Braves.

When he's healthy, Kershaw could help the rotation as well. Walker Buehler is just returning from Tommy John surgery, James Paxton has injury concerns, Ohtani can't pitch in 2024 after surgery, and several other youngsters like Bobby Miller haven't gone through the rigors of a full season. Yoshinobu Yamamoto hasn't either.

One of the best pitchers in baseball history, Kershaw is 210-92 lifetime with a 2.48 ERA. He is a 10-time All-Star, a five-time ERA title winner, a three-time Cy Young winner and an MVP winner.