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He’s staying in L.A.: Clayton Kershaw agrees to one-year deal with Dodgers

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Clayton Kershaw’s days in Los Angeles aren’t over.

The Dodgers and Kershaw agreed to a one-year deal Friday, in keeping with an individual with information of the state of affairs, to finish Kershaw’s first stint as a free agent. The deal will probably be official as soon as Kershaw passes a bodily.

Kershaw later posted a photo of himself on Instagram with the phrases, “We again!”

Kershaw wasn’t a assure to return to Los Angeles. The left-hander was severely contemplating signing along with his hometown Texas Rangers, in keeping with a number of folks with information of the state of affairs. And but imagining Kershaw in one other uniform was at all times troublesome.

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The Dodgers are the one franchise Kershaw has recognized. They drafted him in 2006, he made his main league debut at Dodger Stadium two years later, and he exorcised his postseason demons 12 years after that. Los Angeles can be house for him, his spouse, Ellen, and their rising household.

He’ll enter the Corridor of Fame on his first poll as a Dodger. The three-time Cy Younger Award winner and 2014 Nationwide League MVP will go down as one of many two biggest pitchers in franchise historical past alongside Sandy Koufax.

For the Dodgers, Kershaw’s presence is extra beneficial than to every other franchise. He epitomizes one of the crucial profitable stretches in membership historical past. He’s the face of the franchise. His jersey sells. They’ve reunited with somebody whose worth vastly exceeds no matter he does on the mound.

Talking with reporters earlier than information of the signing Friday afternoon, Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned he hadn’t spoken to Kershaw since MLB’s lockout of the gamers ended a day earlier, however he acknowledged it will “really feel very unusual” if Kershaw, or fellow free-agent pitcher Kenley Jansen, weren’t with the group going into this weekend’s begin of spring coaching.

It will “be an adjustment for everybody,” Roberts mentioned.

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It was a possible actuality, because the connections in Texas are deep for Kershaw — deep sufficient for official consideration.

His offseason house is minutes from Globe Life Subject the place the Rangers play their video games in Arlington. Rangers common supervisor Chris Younger is an in depth pal. Rangers supervisor Chris Woodward spent three seasons as Dodgers third base coach earlier than taking the job in Texas in 2019. And the Rangers have acquired a number of former Dodgers over the past two seasons, punctuated by Corey Seager’s mammoth free-agent deal.

The Rangers spent closely on Seager and three different free brokers however have been nonetheless prepared to pay for Kershaw. On the opposite facet, the Dodgers have been prepared to accommodate Kershaw as soon as he communicated his want to remain. Ultimately, it was as much as him.

Kershaw — a soon-to-be 34-year-old with greater than 2,600 innings on his arm between the common season and playoffs — isn’t at his peak anymore. The contract is proof after he made greater than $200 million over the past seven seasons.

He posted a 3.55 earned-run common in 121 2/3 innings throughout 22 begins final season and his fastball’s velocity has diminished. He spent the winter rehabilitating from a big elbow harm that ended his 2021 season within the ultimate days earlier than the playoffs and almost required Tommy John surgical procedure.

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As of Friday afternoon, Roberts didn’t know any specifics concerning the progress of Kershaw’s restoration — although the left-hander told the Athletic that he’s wholesome however barely behind the place he would usually be this time of yr.

However, when wholesome, he’s remained among the many higher beginning pitchers. A wholesome Kershaw offers the Dodgers rotation depth they want. Already working beneath the premise that Trevor Bauer won’t ever pitch for them once more, the Dodgers misplaced Max Scherzer in free company. The one addition they’d made to the beginning rotation was signing Andrew Heaney, a reclamation undertaking, to a one-year deal.

Walker Buehler, Julio Urías, Tony Gonsolin and David Worth are the membership’s different choices to begin the season because it stands. Dustin Could, who underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in Could, may enter the image later in the summertime.

On Friday, they retained a starter whose worth stretches lengthy past the sphere, a legend in Southern California who will return to his second house for a minimum of yet one more season.

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Travis Kelce spotted dancing in star-studded group at Taylor Swift's Paris show

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Travis Kelce spotted dancing in star-studded group at Taylor Swift's Paris show

The “City of Love” was the latest sighting of Travis Kelce at a Taylor Swift concert, and he had some A-list celebrities dancing alongside him to his significant other’s chart-topping hits. 

The Kansas City Chiefs superstar tight end was seen at Paris La Défense Arena in Paris where Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid were next to him to enjoy Swift’s 87th Eras Tour show. 

Coincidence on the number, anyone?

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are shown at Coachella. (Gilbert Flores)

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Videos have circulated on social media of Kelce dancing to Swift songs, including “… Ready for It?” “Lover” and the classic “You Belong with Me.”

It’s significant that Kelce has been spotted at this show as he hasn’t been seen since she went back on tour. Swift has been in Paris for three nights prior to this fourth and final show, where Kelce was spotted.

TRAVIS KELCE HOSTING ‘SNL’ MADE CAST MEMBER FEEL ‘VERY PROTECTIVE’ OF HIM

Of course, this isn’t the first time Kelce has reciprocated the love and support Swift showed during the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning season last year. During the Chiefs’ bye week, Kelce was seen in Buenos Aires for one of Swift’s Eras Tour dates. 

They will clearly go the extra mile to support each other; Swift famously flew from Japan to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl after a tour date across the Pacific.

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And fans, whether it was of Kelce first or Swift, have fallen in love with the couple throughout the process as they continue to be one of the world’s power couples.

Taylor Swift looks lovingly up at Travis Kelce in his red Chiefs uniform after the Super Bowl

Taylor Swift celebrated with Travis Kelce on the field after his Super Bowl win. (AP Photo/John Locher)

While love isn’t something to rush, many are clamoring to know if Kelce has any thoughts of proposing to Swift to take their relationship to the next level. 

Recently, Chiefs long snapper James Winchester said on the “Like a Farmer” podcast that he thinks his teammate will be engaged at some point because he sees “they’re very similar in a lot of ways.”

“Being around Trav for the last nine years, I mean, I think they’re more similar than you would think. I wish the best for them,” he added.

Other than supporting Swift, Kelce has had a great offseason thus far. The Chiefs made him the highest-paid tight end in the game with a new contract extension that’s worth $34.25 million over two years, with $17 million fully guaranteed for the upcoming 2024 campaign. 

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Travis Kelce smiles

Travis Kelce attends American Express Presents CARBONE BEACH on May 5, 2024, in Miami Beach, Florida. (Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for American Express Presents CARBONE BEACH)

So, personally and professionally, Kelce had a lot of things to dance about in Paris with some of his friends while watching Swift kill it onstage.

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Column: Dave Roberts does his job: Protecting Shohei Ohtani from himself

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Column: Dave Roberts does his job: Protecting Shohei Ohtani from himself

Shohei Ohtani thought he could have played on Sunday. He was looking forward to facing Japanese compatriot Yu Darvish.

Dave Roberts didn’t let him.

Ohtani was never able to plead his case. On the morning of the Dodgers’ series finale against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, Roberts told interpreter Will Ireton that Ohtani wouldn’t be in the lineup, and that was that.

A day after he was forced out of a game early by a stiff back, Ohtani didn’t play in the 4-0 loss to the Padres.

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Ohtani is expected to return on Monday for the start of a three-game series in San Francisco, Roberts said.

The way Roberts managed Ohtani marked a promising start to one of the most important relationships in the organization — a relationship that figures to grow in importance when Ohtani resumes pitching next season.

The manager was the manager. The player was the player.

This simple division of labor can be complicated when a player of Ohtani’s caliber is involved, but the Dodgers were able to do what the Angels often failed to do last year: They protected Ohtani from himself.

“I think he understands that it’s for his benefit and the team’s benefit,” Roberts said.

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When Ohtani played for the Angels last year, what was most beneficial to the team was for him to play almost every game.

So he did.

The Angels were in no position to stop him, or even persuade him to undergo a MRI examination after he was removed from a start after only four innings because of a finger cramp.

The result?

A torn ulnar collateral ligament and a second Tommy John surgery.

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The Angels couldn’t ask Ohtani to look at the bigger picture because there was none. October wasn’t guaranteed for them, as it is for the Dodgers, who entered Sunday with a 6½-game lead in the National League West.

The Dodgers have a talented roster.

They have a track record.

They have realistic championship ambitions.

Asked if the promise of playing in October made it easier for him to accept Roberts’ decision, Ohtani wouldn’t say.

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“Regardless” of the condition of his back, Ohtani said in Japanese, “there was thought of a day off.”

The Dodgers just started a 13-day stretch in which they will play 13 games. Ohtani described the injury as minor — he said he initially felt discomfort in his back working out before the game on Saturday — but Roberts wasn’t inclined to take any chances at this stage of the season, even for a game against a division rival.

“He obviously knows his body really well,” Robert said. “Right now, with the 13 in a row, I just wanted to make sure we were a little more cautious.”

Taking the decision out of Ohtani’s hands was a small but critical move by Roberts. As the Angels learned last year, once the terms of a relationship are established, they are difficult to undo.

How Dodgers management communicates with their star player will be more consequential later in the season and even more so next year when Ohtani makes his anticipated return to the mound. Ohtani will be coming back from a second elbow reconstruction.

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Of course, the team entered its relationship with Ohtani with more leverage than the Angels ever had.

In retrospect, it looks as if Ohtani chose to break into the major leagues with the Angels because of how powerless they were. As a non-contending club, they didn’t have any competitive reasons to deny him the opportunity to be a two-way player.

That’s not to say the Dodgers aren’t being rewarded for having Ohtani on their team. Of course they are. As a one-way player this season, he’s still the best player in the game. He sells merchandise.

Yet Ohtani needs the Dodgers as much as they need him. They’re offering him something he desperately wants that few other organizations can: A legitimate chance to win.

Roberts said he will ask Ohtani for input in the future when figuring out his playing schedule. Roberts should. Ohtani deserves that much. However, the Dodgers can’t afford for their relationship with Ohtani to be as lopsided as that of the Angels. Sunday was a sign that it might not be.

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Deontay Wilder scared for Mike Tyson's well-being in Jake Paul fight: 'He’s too old for this'

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Deontay Wilder scared for Mike Tyson's well-being in Jake Paul fight: 'He’s too old for this'

From one former heavyweight title winner to another, Deontay Wilder fears 57-year-old Mike Tyson might end up in a coma after fighting Jake Paul. 

Tyson shocked everyone when he agreed to fight Paul, which was commissioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations as a professional fight, on July 20. 

What was initially an exhibition match has turned into a highly anticipated bout, but Wilder doesn’t think anyone truly cares about Tyson’s well-being. 

Mike Tyson’s fight against Jake Paul in Texas this summer has been sanctioned as a competitive boxing match, making the rounds shorter and the gloves heavier. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

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“I think it’s bad the commission has licensed Mike Tyson because he hasn’t been active in 20 years, so they should not just license him because of who he is, that’s how people get hurt – God forbid he gets hurt,” Wilder said to Sportsbook Review. 

“People can get hit in the wrong place and at the wrong time, there’s lots of examples where guys have been hit into a coma. It’s easy to do. He’s too old for this.

“At the end of the day, no one gives a f— about Mike.”

MIKE TYSON VS. JAKE PAUL BOXING MATCH OFFICIALLY SANCTIONED, WILL COUNT FOR PROFESSIONAL RECORDS

Wilder continued by saying he doesn’t care that Tyson underwent tests to deem this a professional fight. 

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“As long as you’re willing to suffer the consequences if something bad goes wrong,” Wilder said. 

Deontay Wilder shadowboxes

Heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder shadowboxes during a media workout at UFC APEX on Sept. 22, 2022 in Las Vegas.   (Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

After the fight was sanctioned, Paul recently said he is “super respectful” of Tyson, but “All is fair in love and war.”

“I love the guy, but as soon as it turned into a pro fight, one of us has to die,” the YouTube star-turned-boxer said. 

Videos of Tyson working out for the fight have shocked many with how fast and powerful he still looks at his age. But Wilder, again, doesn’t care what videos show or what Tyson even says about his well-being. 

“His power may not have left completely, but you still need to set it up, your stamina needs to be a certain way, or it’s going to look like a clown show. I don’t want to see it to be honest,” he explained.

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Jake Paul, Deontay Wilder, and Mike Tyson side by side

Former heavyweight belt holder Deontay Wilder is genuinely scared for Mike Tyson in his fight with Jake Paul. (Getty Images)

“I don’t want the last thing I remember of him is him getting knocked out by a YouTuber. The last thing you do, that’s what people remember you by.”

While Paul and Tyson prepare for their fight, Wilder will be fighting Zhilei Zhang on June 1. 

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