Clayton Kershaw had as good of an opening day as anyone in the majors this year after throwing a shutout and hitting a home run and he could be lining himself up for the biggest pay day in baseball history, as he could become the first $200 million pitcher when it comes time for a new deal.
According to ESPN.com, Kershaw pitched all nine innings and threw 94 pitches on the day in his third straight opening day start and he was the main reason the Dodgers took down the Giants 4-0, as he also hit the decisive home run in the eighth inning. The 25-year-old reigning National League Cy Young winner has been the top pitcher in the league in ERA the past two years and is possibly in line for the first $200 million contract for a pitcher.
The Dodgers have been spending like hot cakes over the past year and Kershaw is young and durable and could end up being the highest-paid pitcher of all time. Felix Hernandez and Justin Verlander just signed $175 and $180 million contracts and the Dodgers clearly have the money to spend on him after Magic Johnson and his crew of owners took over the team last year.
The Giants struggled behind Matt Cain, who was making his first career opening day start while striking out eight batters. Kershaw has been phenomenal on opening day and has yet to allow a run in three starts and has 19 strikeouts in 19 innings in two games against the Giants and one against the Padres.
Zack Greinke signed with the Dodgers for $147 million, so Kershaw knows that the team is willing to spend on pitching. Many have speculated that Kershaw will get $200 million, but the pitcher brushed off the talk after the game, saying that he was concentrating on being at his best for the 2013 season.
Amazingly, the Dodgers have spent over $700 million over the past year and Kershaw is currently on a very manageable salary, making $11 million this season. Earlier in the year, Kershaw said that any contract talks would be suspended after spring training and said on Monday, "I'm not going to talk about it today."
Either way, Kershaw has proven over the past few years that he is one of the best pitchers in the game and if he continues playing this way without injury, he will be a $200 million pitcher and possibly one of the best in baseball history.
