The Los Angeles Dodgers are doing everything they can to create the best pitching rotation in the league. With money being no object for the team, they are tossing around all kinds of numerous for guys currently on the roster and free agents on the market. As the team continues to pursue Japanese star Masahiro Tanaka, the Dodgers have begun negotiations once again with Clayton Kershaw.
Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports that the Dodgers are working on a record contract for the left-handed Cy Young winner. Kershaw filed for arbitration on Tuesday and with his resume. He could command a salary that is one of the biggest in the major leagues. Los Angeles intends for the salary to be with their team and are doing everything they can to avoid letting the pitcher test the free agent market.
Gurnick suggests the Dodgers are discussing a 10-year deal worth upwards of $30 million per season. The Dodgers have offered this type of contract to Kershaw once before. Prior to the season ending, they discussed a "lifetime contract" for the pitcher that would secure him in Los Angeles for his career. Kershaw was uncertain if he wanted that long of a commitment to one team and turned down the contract.
Kershaw appears to be worth every penny. He went 16-9 with a 1.83 ERA in 2013 while he led the National League in strikeouts with 232. He has led the major leagues in ERA for the past three seasons, joing Left Grove and Greg Maddux as the only pitchers to accomplish that. The Dodgers aim to keep Kershw on the roster for many years, but are also targeting a few other big names to join him.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reports the Dodgers are prepared to go "all in" on Tanaka over the next two weeks. Teams have exactly nine days to win over the right-handed ace. It is being reported he could command a deal of around $140 million over seven years, not including the $20 million posting fee that his former team is demanding.
The Dodgers could have serious interest in Tanaka or they could be using it as leverage to get Kershaw into a long-term contract. Having both pitchers on the pay roll would certainly be a heavy price tag even though both are worth it.
Tanaka is currently meeting with interested teams. ESPN.com reports the Japanese star prefers to remain on the West Coast which would make the Dodgers a favorite to sign him. The Seattle Mariners are also heavily interested in the pitcher.
