Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers agreed on a two-year, $19 million deal on Tuesday. The signing prevents arbitration, as Kershaw was seeking $10 million as opposed to the $6.5 million the Dodgers were offering. I'd say Kershaw almost got exactly what he wanted, as well he should.
The deal also signifies what is most likely the last major transaction from Frank McCourt, who had to approve of the deal before he's shown the door in April. As Ned Colletti pointed out, McCourt has extended Kemp for eight years, Kershaw a couple years, and was on the verge of perhaps signing Prince Fielder before the Tigers stepped in.
True, McCourt also ran the once proud Dodgers into a cost-cutting laughingstock, but at least he did something right. Right?
Anyway, this contract reminds me of the one Kemp signed a couple years back. In January of 2010, Kemp signed a two-year, $10.95 million contract. While the '10 season was awful, he obviously rebounded in a tremendous way with his MVP-caliber '11. And he did it all without PED's, unlike the other guy who won the award. Imagine that.
Kershaw has already had his monster season, winning the Cy Young and the NL's pitching Triple Crown. All he has to do now is continue to be the ace that he's already become, and he too will find himself with a phat new deal, ala Kemp. It's hard to judge right now what kind of money he can earn, or if it will be anywhere in Kemp's neighborhood. But with a new owner about to come into town, I'm sure he'll get something nice.
With this deal now sealed and delivered, the focus can squarely move onto Spring Training and new ownership. After an offseason full of signing role players (cost-cutting moves, remember), it'll be fun to see the boys report to Camelback Ranch soon, along with the home stretch of getting a new owner. I'm excited, that's for sure. You should be, too.
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