Report: Dodgers, Clayon Kershaw close on record contract extension

With Justin Verlander, Buster Posey and Paul Goldschmidt (one of these things is not like the other ... yet) all landing contract extensions on Friday, the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw are on the verge of a record-setting contract extension.

Mike Petriello reported the potential extension just minutes ago.

"None of that seems all that interesting any longer, because I can reliably report that Clayton Kershaw is going to sign an eight-year, $200m extension with the Dodgers, possibly as soon as tonight. If so, that would blow away all of us — myself included — who thought that $200m was an unattainable goal, though clearly deals since then have impacted that.
No word yet on the structure of the deal, but if it begins in 2013, as I expect it would, then it would cover Kershaw’s age 25-32 seasons. It’s a ludicrous amount of money, but that is exactly the timeframe I want a pitcher, and Kershaw’s obviously the kind of pitcher (and person) you’d want to lock up for that."

Awesome. I suggested an 8-year, $218 million extension earlier this offseason, so if the final deal is somewhere in the neighborhood of 8/200, then that's just fine.

It would be the richest contract for a pitcher in baseball history, if it's the base deal. There could be options -- team, player, vesting or otherwise -- when the final deal is announced.

This is potentially a fantastic day for the Dodgers. There is no way this club would let a guy like Kershaw reach unrestricted free agency. As is the rage these days, superstars are being locked up long-term before there's even a chance for a bidding war.

Kershaw may be the most important player the Dodgers have. Getting him signed to an extension was imperative before the end of next season. I'm just happy it's (apparently) happening now.

Photo credit: SD Dirk, Flickr