Rojas Inspired by Kershaw's Final Season Example

Veteran infielder Miguel Rojas is looking to adopt a specific approach for his upcoming season, drawing inspiration from Clayton Kershaw's final year with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

While Rojas acknowledges he won't achieve the first-ballot Hall of Fame status Kershaw earned, he remains a significant part of Dodgers history. This history includes a crucial defensive stop to save Kershaw's no-hitter in 2014 and hitting a game-tying home run in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series.

Embracing Joy Over Numbers

Rojas stated that he wants to enjoy his final season in a manner similar to how Kershaw approached his last year. He noted the positive atmosphere surrounding the future Hall of Famer.

"My wife and my kids call him Uncle Kersh because of the joy he had throughout the year," Rojas shared. He added, "He was really happy all year. He wasn’t really caught up in numbers or stats. I really wish I can do a little bit of what he did last year. I hope I can enjoy it as much as he did last year."

Rojas's Future Plans and Contract Status

Kershaw famously delayed announcing his retirement plans until mid-September of his final year. In contrast, Rojas proactively shared that 2026 is slated to be his last season, a revelation made when he re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year contract.

Looking beyond his playing career, Rojas is exploring various post-playing opportunities. He mentioned an interest in coaching but remains open to other roles.

Exploring Post-Playing Career Paths

Rojas indicated a desire to learn from different areas of baseball operations to determine his best fit after retirement.

"Learning a little bit from every area and seeing what I'm going to be good at. I want to be a coach, but maybe I’m going to be good at something else," Rojas explained earlier this year. He hopes to realize these possibilities about himself.

His potential interests include coaching various aspects of the game, television commentary, or working within the front office alongside figures like Andrew Friedman. He also emphasized learning from the team's leadership, including "Doc," regarding team and player values.

Rojas's Journey with the Dodgers

Rojas began his professional career in 2005, signing as an international free agent with the Cincinnati Reds out of Venezuela. He joined the Dodgers organization seven years later, making his MLB debut in 2014.

That same offseason, Rojas was traded to the Miami Marlins as part of a deal involving Dee Strange-Gordon, Dan Haren, and cash, in exchange for Austin Barnes, Chris Hatcher, Andrew Heaney, and Kiké Hernández.

Rojas eventually returned to the Dodgers organization in January 2023, when the Marlins traded him back to Los Angeles for Jacob Amaya.