More: Fan reaction to Kershaw deal
Big news for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Their NL Cy Young winner is sticking around another two years. Clayton Kershaw agreed to terms with the Dodgers today, and while the contract seems a little shorter than it should be, the actual value of the deal is commensurate with his talents. Dylan Hernandez had most of the contract reports in place.
Kershaw will receive a $500,000 signing bonus, $7.5 million in 2012, and $11 million in 2013, per Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times. Kershaw submitted a salary of $10 million in arbitration while the Dodgers countered at $6.5 million. The $8 million Kershaw receives this year is slightly less than the midpoint, but also the second highest salary ever for a pitcher in his first year of arbitration eligibility, trailing only Tim Lincecum.
Kershaw posted a record of 47-28 and a 2.88 ERA with 745 strikeouts through his first four seasons, and last year was the golden gem, posting 21 wins, 248 strikeouts and a 2.28 ERA.
Kershaw is only 23 years old, and he'll be in great shape to continue to lead the team into the next age. But it appears as if the team isn't going to commit to a long-term deal quite yet and the Dodgers are content enough to negotiate salary arbitration. Eric Stephen of True Blue LA has more.
To discuss Kershaw and the Dodgers, head on over to True Blue LA.