It’s no secret that the 2018 free agent class is setting up to be a historic one. The likes of Josh Donaldson, Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Andrew Miller could all test the open market, depending on how this season plays.
A wild card to potentially join the mix is Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, who has the ability to opt out of his contract at the conclusion of the season and become a free agent as well.
Kershaw is in the midst of a seven-year commitment worth $215 million, signed prior to the 2014 season. At the time it was the richest contract ever inked by a pitcher.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner could find himself in line for a more lucrative contract this offseason, but the possibility hasn’t crossed his mind yet, via Dave Sheinin of The Washington Post:
“To be honest,” Kershaw said Friday, “I haven’t even thought about my situation.”
Last season, Kershaw logged 175 innings and led the National League in wins (18), ERA (2.31) and strikeouts (180). He additionally posted a 3.07 FIP and 0.95 WHIP while leading the league with a 6.73 strikeouts-to-walks ratio.
Kershaw finished second in Cy Young voting because of a back injury that sidelined him for over a month. It was the second consecutive year in which the soon-to-be 30-year-old missed a significant chunk of the season because of back issues.
Should Kershaw seek a bigger payday in the winter, he’ll have to prove this season that his back troubles are behind him. Otherwise, he may just opt into the remaining two years on his current deal, worth roughly $70 million.
Manager Dave Roberts recently named Kershaw as the Dodgers’ 2018 Opening Day starter. The outing will mark his eighth straight start in a season opener, which will set a new club record.
