The Los Angeles Dodgers have finally been able to lock up their superstar pitcher to a multiyear extension this afternoon when Clayton Kershaw agreed to a 7 ear extension worth $215million. The deal has an average annual value of a little over $30million a year, which represents the highest AAV of any contract ever signed in MLB history. There is also a special out clause in his contract with which Kershaw has the option to back out of his contract after the fifth year, allowing him to hit the free agent market as a 30 year old. This gives Kershaw the opportunity to cash in even more in his prime years if he so chooses.
This deal has to be looked at as a victory for both sides. Kershaw has firmly established himself as one of the best pitchers in the MLB and is a legitimate Cy Young candidate each and every year. He has a stellar 2.60 ERA in 1180 career MLB innings and has accumulated an astounding 32.2 WAR over his first 6 years to go with his 2 Cy Young awards. The crazy thing about Kershaw is that he is currently on 25 years old, and is just entering what could be his prime, and he could be dominant for many more years to come. Even though he is incredibly expensive, the Dodgers needed to lock up their best player, and they were finally able to do it. Why was it a victory for Kershaw you may ask? I think $30 million a year speaks for itself. With the Kershaw negotiations over, it will be interesting to see if the Dodgers turn their focus to the Tanaka sweepstakes as there have not been shy to give out money as this deal shows.
This deal has to be looked at as a victory for both sides. Kershaw has firmly established himself as one of the best pitchers in the MLB and is a legitimate Cy Young candidate each and every year. He has a stellar 2.60 ERA in 1180 career MLB innings and has accumulated an astounding 32.2 WAR over his first 6 years to go with his 2 Cy Young awards. The crazy thing about Kershaw is that he is currently on 25 years old, and is just entering what could be his prime, and he could be dominant for many more years to come. Even though he is incredibly expensive, the Dodgers needed to lock up their best player, and they were finally able to do it. Why was it a victory for Kershaw you may ask? I think $30 million a year speaks for itself. With the Kershaw negotiations over, it will be interesting to see if the Dodgers turn their focus to the Tanaka sweepstakes as there have not been shy to give out money as this deal shows.