Report: Clayton Kershaw blames Dodgers for leaking contract talks

Clayton Kershaw is upset with the Dodgers for leaking contract talks. (Kent C. Horner/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw said on Sunday he is upset that contract extension talks with the Dodgers have been made public. According to the Los Angeles Times, Kershaw said "he doesn't love the fact" that he has to talk about the ongoing contract negotiations during the season.

From the Los Angeles Times: 

“I think the reason we’ve been able to continue discussions for this long is that it’s not been talked about,” Kershaw said. “And now that I’m having to talk about it, it’s a distraction because people are talking about it. I guess you’ll have to talk to the Dodgers as to why it came out now. I don’t love the fact that I have to talk about it.”

Kershaw claims that there was an agreement with the Dodgers to keep the contract talks private during the season. The former NL Cy Young winner said that since he is now fielding questions regarding the contract, it has now become a distraction to the team.

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The 25-year-old lefty and the Dodgers are currently in talks to make Kershaw the highest paid pitcher in baseball. The reported deal is said to be worth more than the $180 million the Detroit Tigers gave Justin Verlander.