Dodgers avoid arbitration with Clayton Kershaw, sign him to 2-year deal

The Dodgers signed reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw to a 2-year, $19 million deal today, according to the Dodgers' official Twitter account.

He asked for $10 million in arbitration while the Dodgers offered him $6.5 million. Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times tweeted he'll earn $7.5 million this season (plus a $500,000 signing bonus) and $11 million in 2013.

Update (Feb. 7, 2:21 p.m.): ESPN LA's Tony Jackson is reporting $2 million of Kershaw's 2012 salary will be deferred until January.

The contract buys out one year of arbitration (2013), leaving him one more year before reaching unrestricted free agency. Of course, the Dodgers would be foolish for not extending him long-term after the season.

Well-deserved, Mr. Kershaw. I can't wait to write the blog post when he signs an 8-year deal with the Dodgers.

Photo credit: SD Dirk on Flickr