MLB: Why Clayton Kershaw Is Worth Every Penny of His New Contract

The Los Angeles Dodgers did themselves a tremendous favor by reaching a new deal with reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw.

Both sides were able to avoid an arbitration hearing that was scheduled for February 14 by agreeing to a two-year contract worth $19 million.

At the age of 23, “The Claw” has finally justified why he was drawing comparisons to Dodgers Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax when he was only 19.

Take a second to compare the season stat lines of Kershaw and Koufax during their first 20-win campaigns:

Kershaw: 21-5 record, 33 GS, 2.88 ERA, 5 CG, 2 SHO, 233.1 IP, 59 ER, 54 BB, 248 SO, 0.977 WHIP

Koufax: 25-5 record, 40 GS, 1.88 ERA, 20 CG, 11 SHO, 311.0 IP, 65 ER, 58 BB, 306 SO, 0.875 WHIP

While Kershaw still has some catching up to do, there’s no denying his talent and the similarities.

Not only was he able to win the pitching version of the Triple Crown during his 20-win season, but he also did it in only his fourth year as a pro. 

In comparison, it took Koufax nine years to accomplish the same feat.

While the young lefty has already proved to have great power, velocity, and control, he has also displayed great defensive prowess.  In 47 total chances, Kershaw committed zero errors and converted every single one of those opportunities into outs.

Kershaw’s signing is one of the best offseason moves the Dodgers could have made, as they bring back the pitcher that accounted for more than 25 percent of the team’s 82 victories.

Last season, the San Francisco Giants pitching staff proved to be the cream of the crop in the NL West as they combined for a 3.20 ERA, 130 quality starts, and 1.24 WHIP, while holding opponents to a .232 batting average—good enough to rank in the top three of each category.

Thanks to the efforts of Kershaw, the Dodgers weren’t too far behind.  The team placed in the top seven of each category with a collective 3.54 ERA, 94 quality starts, 1.25 WHIP, and .241 opponent’s batting average.

By beating 2008 and 2009 Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum in all four of their head-to-head matchups, the young lefty proved his stature and skill.  The final scores of these contests: 2-1, 1-0, 2-1, and 2-1.

This is important because ever since Kershaw was taken seventh overall in the 2006 MLB Draft, he has been linked to Lincecum—who was taken three spots afterwards.

The comparisons don’t end there.

During Tiny Tim’s first year of arbitration eligibility, he received a two-year deal worth $23 million.

And although he remains as the more proven pitcher, the Giants starter may not be the safer bet. 

At 5’11” 165 lbs, Lincecum’s physique and durability have been long in question, while it wouldn’t be surprising to see the 6’3” 215 lbs Kershaw pitch well into the next decade.

After recently reaching agreements with James Loney, Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, Kershaw was the last and most important piece for the Dodgers in their hopes to remain youthful and competitive.

And even though it only cost them $19 million to retain Kershaw’s services this time, look for the price tag to skyrocket next time they try to resign the Koufax clone.