With Opening Day this week, the Dodgers made a big move this week by locking up one of their best young pitchers. Chad Billingsley extended his contract by three years and $35 million. Other contract details include an option for a fourth year, and the rights to block a trade to 10 teams.
The Dodgers are obviously happy with the progress Bills has made, as he is slotted just underneath Clayton Kershaw atop the rotation. Last season he went 12-11 with a 3.57 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 171 strikeouts in 191 2/3 innings pitched. For his career of five seasons, he has a 59-41 record with a 3.55 ERA and 1.35 WHIP.
Before this deal was struck, the Dodgers knew they had their top two pitchers in Kershaw and Billingsley only signed through this season. Kershaw is a hotter commodity, so now that Bills is signed, the attention will shift to the southpaw. If he has a season anything close to last year's great numbers, expect the Dodgers to shell out even more money than this.
Billingsley will make the second start of the season against the Giants on Friday, April 1.
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