The Los Angeles Dodgers came up short in their quest to repeat as World Series champions, and now are on the verge of facing significant decisions in the offseason.
The morning after the World Series concludes, Kenley Jansen, Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, Corey Seager and Chris Taylor will be among the Dodgers to reach free agency. The likelihood of all — or even most — being re-signed is not high.
“It sucks,” Seager said after the Dodgers’ loss to the Atlanta Braves in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series. “You’re saying goodbyes without really knowing. You do the normal stuff, wish everybody a happy offseason, remember how it feels, prepare for next year and stuff like that, but then you’re uncertain about where you’ll be.”
The situation is similar to what the Dodgers faced last offseason, though that primarily centered around role players rather than key fixtures from the core of their roster.
For his part, Seager is hopeful of remaining with the franchise that drafted him with the 18th overall selection in 2012. “Absolutely,” he answered when asked if there was interest in re-signing with the Dodgers.
“I grew up here, I’ve spent a lot of time here, I believe in what these guys do, I believe in how we go about it. Absolutely.”
Seager went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in what potentially could have been his final game with the Dodgers.
Jansen wants future with Dodgers
While he put the team first, Jansen enjoyed individual success in the Dodgers’ loss as he tossed a scoreless eighth inning to keep the deficit manageable.
“I didn’t think about it, honestly” answered Jansen when asked if he thought about the appearance possibly being his last with the team while walking off the field. “I thought we had a chance to win the game. I really didn’t think about it, to be honest with you.”
Like Seager, Jansen expressed a desire to continue forward with the Dodgers but acknowledged it could be out of his control.
“It’s not in my hands. I’ve got to thank God for a great opportunity I’ve had here,” Jansen said. “I’m thankful to be here for all these years. It’s the only team I’ve known. They believed in me when I was 17 years old as a catcher, then they made me a pitcher and here I am now. It happened fast.
“I enjoyed this journey and I always will be a Dodger.”
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