The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially wrapped up Clayton Kershaw for the long-term with the highest contract given to a pitcher. The Dogers signed the Cy Young winner to a seven-year, $215 million deal that secures Kershaw's career will likely start and end in Los Angeles. However just because the team signed the pitcher to a marquee contract does not mean they are done spending this offseason.
The Dodgers are also in high pursuit for Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka. MLB sources are reporting that the right-hander would prefer to remain on the West Coast, making the Dodgers a clear favorite to sign him. Tanaka will likely command a top-dollar deal. ESPN.com reported a contract worth upwards of seven years and $140 million could easily come his way, not including the $20 million posting free dictated by his former team.
Does Kershaw's contract impede on the Dodgers' negotiations to sign Tanaka? As it stands now, the Dodgers starting rotation would consist of Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dan Haren and Josh Beckett. Chad Billingsley remains out with injury. Beckett could be the man to be released. The Dodgers could attempt to swing a trade for him after his thoracic outlet surgery. He is a free agent at the end of the season and Los Angeles could take most of his contract off the books, freeing up more money for Tanaka.
A decision on the Japanese pitcher must come within the next eight days before his signing period ends. The Dodgers do not have much time to count up their finances before putting in an offer. So what if they miss out on Tanaka and the pitcher heads to Seattle, Chicago or New York instead? Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Dodgers could target Bronson Arroyo as a backup plan.
Arroyo is a hot target because the Cincinnati Reds failed to make the veteran a qualifying offer. He would come cheap, he is durable and the Dodgers would not have to sacrifice a draft pick to sign him. Arroyo also fits talent wise. Since 2006, he has led the majors in starts and the National League in wins and innings pitched while never landing on the disabled list. That type of durability is what the Dodgers want most.
The veteran is seeking a deal of three years something the Dodgers could be willing to offer depending on what they decide to do with Beckett. Once a decision is made on Tanaka, other remaining free agent pitchers will start to sort out their futures. Arroyo could be the first to do so.