Kershaw Becomes The Highest Paid Pitcher In MLB History, As Magic Johnson & The Dodgers Break The Bank AGAIN!
Fresh off of one of his best seasons as of yet, it comes as no surprise to report that ace southpaw Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed on a seven year deal worth $215MM. This move now gives him the richest contract in baseball for a pitcher and breaks the record for average annual value at $30.7MM.
More on the story after the jump.
Detroit Tigers pitcher, Jason Verlander is now the second highest paid pitcher in the MLB, as this new deal surpasses his seven-year, $180MM deal he received during the 2012 off-season. The 25-year-old finished the 2013 season with a 16-9 record where he led the National League in ERA (1.83) and strikeouts (232), that ultimately earned him his second Cy Young Award in the past three years.
The reported contract will keep Kershaw in Dodger blue until at least the 2019 season, where his opt-out clause kicks in at the age of 30. After winning the ERA title three years straight, it’s safe to say the lefty is set to continue his dominance in the Major League, in hopes of leading his team to the postseason again in search of the franchises seventh World Series title.
With the big financial backing that the Dodgers have, don’t expect this to be the last big deal that they make before the start of the 2014 season. As they are looking to land Japanese pitcher, Masahiro Tanaka to bolster up their starting rotation that already features the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Zach Greinke, Dan Haren, and Josh Beckett.