Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers are working on what could be a record contract extension for the ace left-handed pitcher, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers discussing record contract, per report
Agreeing to a deal that is reportedly being discussed would make the Dodgers ace the highest paid pitcher in baseball history.
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Kershaw, who turns 26 in March, was one of 146 players to file for salary arbitration on Tuesday, and with his two Cy Young Awards in the last three seasons could set a record for salary through the process for a player with five years of service time. But rather than a one-year deal, the Dodgers are discussing a mega-deal that would keep Kershaw for some time from reaching free agency, which he is eligible to do after the 2014 season.
From True Blue LA: Kershaw & the price of doing business 2013, the year of Kershaw
“The Dodgers and Kershaw have been in discussions over a record-breaking deal that could pay $30 million per season for as many as 10 years,” wrote Gurnick.
Such a deal would be the longest deal for a pitcher since Mike Hampton signed an eight-year contract with the Rockies prior to the 2001 campaign.
This is not the first time a deal of this magnitude with Kershaw has been discussed, as there were multiple reports during the 2013 season that the Dodgers were discussing a contract of between seven and 10 years, depending on the source.
Kershaw was 16-9 with a 1.83 ERA in 2013 and led the National League with 232 strikeouts. Kershaw has led the major leagues in ERA for three consecutive seasons, joining Lefty Grove (1929-31) and Greg Maddux (1993-95) as the only ones to accomplish the feat.
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