Headlines

  • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings
  • MLB To Experiment With New DH Rule, Mound Distance During 2021 Atlantic League Season
  • Astros, Martin Maldonado Finalizing One-Year Extension
  • James Paxton To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
  • 2021 Trade Deadline Will Be July 30
  • Diamondbacks Sign Josh Reddick To Minor League Deal
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Dodgers Nearing Extension With Clayton Kershaw

By Steve Adams | November 2, 2018 at 2:00pm CDT

2:37pm: The sides have discussed  new contract that would add just one more guaranteed season, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Twitter). It is believed that the total guarantee would stay under nine figures, though Rosenthal cautions the “final terms might be different.”

If that turns out to be the case, it seems the sides would be more or less adding another season at the same average annual value that Kershaw has been playing on under his prior extension. Of course, it’s also quite possible that there are other provisions under discussion.

1:30pm: The Dodgers and left-hander Clayton Kershaw are nearing an extension that’ll keep him in Los Angeles, reports Yahoo’s Jeff Passan (on Twitter). Passan notes that the deal is said to be “very close.” Kershaw had an opt-out clause that allowed him to forgo the remaining two years and $65MM on his contract and had until 4pm ET today to make a decision on that clause.

There’s been speculation for quite some time that rather than opt out of the contract, Kershaw would push for an additional couple of years to be added onto the contract. That, it seems, may very well come to be. Reports have indicated all along that the Dodgers hoped to keep the future Hall of Famer.

While Kershaw’s durability has come into question in recent seasons due to a string of back injuries, there was never reason to believe that he’d forgo the opt-out clause. It’s true that those back issues have sent him to the DL in three consecutive seasons, but he’s nonetheless remained among the game’s most talented arms when on the mound. Furthermore, Kershaw has averaged 25 starts and 162 innings per season over the past three years (191 innings per season when factoring in the playoffs), so it’s not as if he’s missed half a season on a regular basis.

The 30-year-old has notched a ridiculous 2.26 ERA since 2016, and although this past year’s 2.73 ERA wasn’t up to par for a player with his credentials, it’s nonetheless a brilliant mark that was accompanied by an even more impressive 155-to-29 K/BB ratio in 161 1/3 innings. If this “diminished” Kershaw is what the Dodgers can realistically expect for the foreseeable future, then they’d still be signing up for a top-tier arm to lead their rotation. It seems plausible that he might take a hit in terms of average annual value in exchange for tacking on another couple of seasons to the deal, but that’d be a worthwhile trade-off for locking in another two-plus seasons of guaranteed pay.

Share 0 Retweet 6 Send via email0

Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers Newsstand

Angels To Name Jeremy Reed Hitting Coach
Main
Yankees Claim Hanser Alberto From Rangers
52 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. xabial

    2 years ago

    One of my fave pitchers. Glad he gets to stay with one team his whole career. Criticize his postseason, but you’d all be ecstatic if announced your team added Kershaw to pitching staff. Special talent, that deserves more respect

    6 Like
    Reply
    • ffjsisk

      2 years ago

      Lol, deserves more respect? Seriously?

      1 Like
      Reply
      • JDGoat

        2 years ago

        Well everybody thinks he’s some massive choker even though he’s had like three bad postseason games that skew his stats.

        Like
        Reply
        • BAINES03

          2 years ago

          Three? He’s thrown 152 post season innings.. He’s had 9 games started with game scores under 50. Maybe he’s not some massive choker, but he’s been below average.

          5 Like
          Reply
        • Mack83

          2 years ago

          It’s more than 3 bad games in the post season. Jeez.

          He’s 9-10 w/ a 4.xx ERA in the post season, and a 5.xx in the World Series. It’s more than just one game or two skewing the stats.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • politicsNbaseball

          2 years ago

          I thought wins and losses were irrelevant

          5 Like
          Reply
        • davidcoonce74

          2 years ago

          Clayton Kershaw in the postseason, in his career: 155 IP, 122 Hits allowed, 44 BB, 165 Ks, 1.092 WHIP, The narrative is because we remember the bad starts – or at least the bad outcomes, without mentioning the defense and bullpen letting him down (fun fact – Ryan Madson allowed 5 runs to score while he was pitching in the WS and his ERA in that span was 0.00. ERA is misleading). Kershaw hasn’t been as good in the postseason as he has in the regular season, but he has alternated brilliant postseason starts with a few stinkers – like most pitchers who are, presumably, pitching against the best players in the world might occasionally suck. I think, because the postseason is inherently a small-sample crapshoot and narratives change quickly (see David Price just this season), it’s a better deal for a team to get regular-season Kershaw because getting to the postseason is paramount; after that, anything can happen.

          4 Like
          Reply
    • raffi

      2 years ago

      I agree. Nobody respects Kershaw. Xabial your the best, every comment you make is a farce and you do it to get a raise out of people. Sometime make a comment that you actually believe.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • Joe Kerr

        2 years ago

        Can’t believe I am coming to the defense of Xabial but he never said no one respects Kershaw, just that his talent deserves more credit. It’s actually a valid point.

        2 Like
        Reply
    • MetsYankeesRedSox

      2 years ago

      Yeah def one of the best pitchers of today. HOF material for sure. Often wondered how pitchers of the five man staff era would stand up to those four man staffs of the 1960s and earlier.

      Koufax, Drysdale, Gibson just to name a few. It’s an honor to be able to have watched guys like that, along with guys like Kershaw and Verlander.

      4 Like
      Reply
  2. tonysbrewcrew00

    2 years ago

    Everyone knew this was happening. They just kept pushing it off to get more publicity

    Like
    Reply
  3. ericm25

    2 years ago

    it will probably be a 3 yr extension, 3/75

    3 Like
    Reply
    • larry48

      2 years ago

      more like 4 yr 80

      Like
      Reply
      • Soxfan912

        2 years ago

        You think hes going to go from 32.5 AAV to 20? Don’t be surprised if it is more like 4/112 being added to his current deal (slightly front-loaded).

        Like
        Reply
      • johnrealtime

        2 years ago

        4 years 80 million is basically adding a 2 year 15 million deal onto the current one. Ridiculous

        Like
        Reply
  4. fasbal1

    2 years ago

    Getting ready to backup the Brinks truck again

    2 Like
    Reply
  5. old dodger fan

    2 years ago

    This is such good news. Get it done and then sign Ryu.

    5 Like
    Reply
  6. left

    2 years ago

    I’d literally beg Clayton to walk away. That $70 million + should be used to obtain players who can take their play to a higher level in the playoffs.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • trendysayings

      2 years ago

      you’re not right

      because you’re left

      10 Like
      Reply
      • SabrinasDaddy

        2 years ago

        Literally chuckled out loud!

        1 Like
        Reply
        • EndinStealth

          2 years ago

          You laugh easily

          Like
          Reply
    • Kenleyfornia74

      2 years ago

      Or they could spend 70 million on top of this because they can easily afford it

      5 Like
      Reply
    • Sign all the Cubans

      2 years ago

      Massively idiotic comment.

      2 Like
      Reply
    • adkuchan

      2 years ago

      You have to get to the playoffs to choke in them. Without Clayton, they probably wouldn’t have been there. You see any free agents who are better? I don’t.

      3 Like
      Reply
  7. JJB

    2 years ago

    Bummer… I had my money on the Orioles swooping in and signing him!

    4 Like
    Reply
    • dugdog83

      2 years ago

      They still a team?

      5 Like
      Reply
      • bigjonliljon

        2 years ago

        A minor league team yes

        4 Like
        Reply
        • politicsNbaseball

          2 years ago

          great commentary, sorry oriole fans

          1 Like
          Reply
    • larry48

      2 years ago

      LOL

      3 Like
      Reply
  8. sameichel

    2 years ago

    Haha welcome to the class of idiots Andrew freeman, if you were smart you would have either let him walk or made sure he opted in to his current contract

    Like
    Reply
    • sameichel

      2 years ago

      Yeah it makes sense that Clayton will stage but that much money no

      Like
      Reply
    • sameichel

      2 years ago

      Instead you wanted to pay him even more something you will probably regret later on

      Like
      Reply
    • dugdog83

      2 years ago

      You are spot on.

      Like
      Reply
    • Kenleyfornia74

      2 years ago

      Look in the mirror for that club. Kershaw means more to the dodgers than any team and Ken Rosenthal put it best on MLBN this morning. You dont let your franchise player go because you are scared he is getting worse. His ERA was still very good. Y’all acting like it was around 4.00 or something

      2 Like
      Reply
    • JDGoat

      2 years ago

      Calls a guy an idiot, spells his name wrong….

      6 Like
      Reply
  9. heater

    2 years ago

    Good news. Not that anyone ever expected them to part ways!!!

    2 Like
    Reply
  10. goomba444

    2 years ago

    8 years $256 mill

    Like
    Reply
    • Padres458

      2 years ago

      Drugs r bad

      Like
      Reply
    • xabial

      2 years ago

      More like Trolls r bad

      3 Like
      Reply
    • martras

      2 years ago

      Every fan base other than the Dodgers’ would be ecstatic to see that contract.

      2 Like
      Reply
    • Wolf Chan

      2 years ago

      10 years 600 million, 700, 800 bwahaha

      2 Like
      Reply
  11. matt smalling

    2 years ago

    I live in LA & love Clayton Kehrshaw…but is it really possible to live on $256 Million in this town?….not to mention the traffic!

    5 Like
    Reply
  12. Joeypower

    2 years ago

    Kehrswaw made it to the top… he probably stays up there for one or two years. Then he will go down hills…. Go ahead Dodgers and pay
    For his past and not the present. #asktheangels#

    Like
    Reply
    • stan lee the manly

      2 years ago

      The Dodgers economic model clearly works. Moves like this don’t hurt them the way they would hurt 90% of the other teams in baseball, the money is not a huge factor for them. Get two more years of great starting pitching, then transition him to the pen when he starts losing long-term effectiveness. Meanwhile, keep raking in the billions and don’t worry that you are paying a great reliever “starter money” for a couple of years.

      It will never make sense to lose a franchise icon just because you don’t want to pay him with a payroll like that. Kershaw deserves the contract.

      Like
      Reply
      • johnrealtime

        2 years ago

        I agree with every part of this comment except for where you said transition him to the pen in 2 years. Really hard to imagine that he’ll be so bad in 2 years, at age 32 that you’re better off putting him in the pen

        Like
        Reply
        • stan lee the manly

          2 years ago

          I agree with you 100%, but the commenter above was assuming he is over the hill and will start pitching poorly. I was giving a “what if this is true” scenario.

          I think Kershaw will be a very productive starting pitcher through this deal and into his next one

          1 Like
          Reply
  13. smit1957

    2 years ago

    Looked real good during Game 1 and 5 of the World Series. Give him more money.

    Like
    Reply
  14. Basebal101

    2 years ago

    CK is in a class of his own and standard contractional rules don’t apply.. I find it funny people posting saying he’s over paid now. His “down” year of a 2.76 ERA would still be better then half of any team’s best starter in MLB. As the face of the franchise it’s nice to see a team taking care of their own for a change.. And don’t be surprised if his numbers are better next year.

    Like
    Reply
  15. RunDMC

    2 years ago

    He has an opt-out and all he’ll use that for is 1 more guaranteed year?? He has all the leverage right now and can use it, with some teams flush with cash (and need). I’m not saying leverage it for a contract into his forties, but man, at least get a deal done through age 35.

    Like
    Reply
    • Whole_New_World

      2 years ago

      Agreed. I wouldn’t have thought any less than two additional years. Something like 4-year $105-110 million total.

      Kershaw wants to stay and the Dodgers are exploiting that.

      Like
      Reply
  16. madmanTX

    2 years ago

    One year for $100 million. Might as well.

    Like
    Reply
  17. snotrocket

    2 years ago

    3/90. Book it.

    Like
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    2021-22 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings

    MLB To Experiment With New DH Rule, Mound Distance During 2021 Atlantic League Season

    Astros, Martin Maldonado Finalizing One-Year Extension

    James Paxton To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery

    2021 Trade Deadline Will Be July 30

    Diamondbacks Sign Josh Reddick To Minor League Deal

    Jonathan Hernandez Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

    Dexter Fowler To Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery

    MLB Inspecting “Suspicious Baseballs” From Trevor Bauer’s Latest Start

    Trevor Rosenthal Undergoes Thoracic Outlet Surgery

    Recent

    Quick Hits: Rodon, Bellinger, Graterol, Mazara, Stripling

    Latest On Giants’ Rotation

    Padres Activate Pierce Johnson, Dan Altavilla From Injured List

    NL Injury Notes: Braves, Myers, Betances, Cain

    2021-22 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings

    COVID Notes: 4/14/21

    Blue Jays Place Julian Merryweather On IL, Select Anthony Castro

    Astros Place 5 On Injured List

    Reds Claim Phillip Diehl, Transfer Michael Lorenzen To 60-Day Injured List

    Phillies Place Adam Haseley On Restricted List, Recall Mickey Moniak

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Francisco Lindor Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version