On the topic of injury, this is baseball. This is sports. It's a high risk profession. But you don't let the best pitcher in the game right now even think about free agency. In the end, he may be getting 4 or 5 million a year less than what he would get with is. Are we seriously going to let a guy walk over 5 million a year?
Never did I say let him walk but imo saving a potential 5M/year is significant considering gg has talked about eventually lowering payroll and considering we're talking a course of AT LEAST 7 years(which is $35M total at least).in my instance,I'm going to give him the top offer no matter what but why bid against yourself?the dodgers are going to re-sign him and for a HUGE amount of money but a lot of things can happen in a year as well(injuries,lincecumitis,verlanderitis,etc.)
the market dictates the price he is, without a doubt, the best pitcher in baseball guggenheim has the money, so you pay him accordingly you start nickel and diming players -- especially your stars -- and players will no longer want to come here
I wasn't responding to your comment. People have been talking about injuries and mentioning money totals. I feel we are the only ons that can pay him the money he wants, but others can come pretty close. My main point was the fact that we can do this now and not wait until he enters free agency, which I feel would be a big mistake on our part.
Kershaw keeps elite statistical company By ESPN Stats & Information | ESPN.com August, 27, 2013 2:56 PM ET Clayton Kershaw has made things difficult for opposing hitters throughout 2013. Clayton Kershaw looks to keep his amazing 2013 going when the Los Angeles Dodgers face the Chicago Cubs tonight. Kershaw's history against the Cubs is stellar-- he's made four starts against them and allowed two runs or fewer in each. But what about Kershaw and big-picture history? With the help of Baseball-Reference.com, here’s a snapshot of where Kershaw stands in statistical history with what is likely six starts left in his season. Amazing ERA Kershaw enters with a 1.72 ERA. In the last 30 seasons, only two pitchers have qualified for the ERA title with an ERA that low at season’s end: Dwight Gooden (1.53 for the New York Mets in 1985) and Greg Maddux (1.56 in 1994 and 1.63 in 1995, both with the Atlanta Braves). Kershaw's Last 10 Starts ERA 1.17<< Opp BA .164<< Opp OPS .432<< IP-H 77-43 K-BB 70-10 >> Best in MLB since July 1 It is extraordinarily rare for a left-handed pitcher to finish a season with that low an ERA. In baseball’s live ball era, the only one to do so was Hall-of-Famer Carl Hubbell, who had a 1.66 ERA for the 1933 New York Giants. The last before him was Rube Marquard, who posted a 1.58 ERA for the 1916 Brooklyn Robins (who became the Dodgers). Also rare: for a southpaw to finish with that good of an ERA relative to his league. Baseball-Reference tracks ERA+, which measures that, adjusting slightly for his primary ballpark. Kershaw’s ERA+ is currently 207 (his ERA is 1.72, the NL ERA is 3.74). Only three lefties since 1900 have had an ERA+ that good, the last being Ron Guidry (208 for the 1978 New York Yankees). Only one of those three was a National Leaguer—Jack Pfiester for the 1907 Chicago Cubs (216). Unhittable Opponents are hitting .182 against Kershaw this season. The last ERA-title qualifying pitcher to finish a season with that low an opponents’ batting average was Pedro Martinez (.167) for the 2000 Boston Red Sox. Lowest Opponents' OPS Since 2011 Clayton Kershaw .550 Justin Verlander .614 Jered Weaver .619 Matt Cain .633 >> Minimum 400 IP The last lefthander to do so was a former Dodger, though only for a few moments: Sid Fernandez (who made two appearances for the 1983 team) held hitters to a .181 batting average for the 1985 Mets. There have been six pitchers in the divisional era (since 1969) that finished a season with an opponents’ batting average that low. The only Dodgers pitcher among them was Hideo Nomo, whose was also .182 in his rookie season, 1995. For those looking to make the inevitable comparison to Sandy Koufax, the Dodgers legendary lefty had one season with an opponents’ batting average that low, 1965, when opposing hitters batted .179 against him. And if you prefer OPS to batting average, Kershaw’s currently stands at .495. Only three pitchers have held opposing hitters below .500 since Bob Gibson and Luis Tiant both did so in the Year of the Pitcher, 1968: Nolan Ryan (.496, 1981 Houston Astros), Maddux (.482, 1995 Braves), and Martinez (.473, 2000 Red Sox). The Whiffs Kershaw currently has 188 strikeouts and it seems inevitable he’ll reach 200, perhaps as soon as tonight. He would become the third Dodgers pitcher to record at least four straight seasons with 200 or more strikeouts, joining Koufax (six straight from 1961 to 1966) and Don Drysdale (four straight from 1962 to 1965). Scoreless Streak Lastly, perhaps it’s wishful thinking, but Kershaw enters tonight with a 16-inning scoreless streak. If he throws seven scoreless innings of each of his next six starts, he’ll match Don Drysdale for the second-longest scoreless streak in major-league history. And he would be one inning shy of Orel Hershiser’s record streak. That streak began 25 years ago Friday. __
totally agree you save money signing him now you send a message that the team takes care of their marquee players and you avoid any potential animosity
One more thing: remember, this is ALL SPECULATION. We have no clue what really went down. Until CK, his people or the owners come out and say, yeah, he asked for that much, it's all speculation. I still feel he's our number one priority this offseason. Yes, he's a pitcher, and yes, he doesn't play every day, but he's the best pitcher in the world right now. And he's ours.
He's also the biggest fucking gamer we have. That dude is locked in like no one else on the day of his starts.
Not sure if it will help either argument but here's a study on trunk tilt and elbow strain http://ajs.sagepub.com/content/earl...ract?sid=02d0d1d5-15fa-4310-997a-26fbbd75ba3e
This team doesn't win with CK on the mound. Not his fault but man it's tough to think of the money he'll demand for the team to just suck when he's pitching.
Kershaw granted extra rest; Fife to start Wednesday By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com | 9/17/2013 1:50 A.M. ET PHOENIX -- The Dodgers will give ace left-hander Clayton Kershaw three extra days of rest and start rookie Stephen Fife on Wednesday night against the D-backs. Kershaw will instead start Saturday in San Diego. The club believes Kershaw, who already has thrown a Major League-high 223 innings, needs the extra rest as a precautionary measure, especially with the chance of pitching deep into October. He has allowed two earned runs in each of his last two starts, his most recent coming Friday night against the Giants. Kershaw is healthy and threw a bullpen session Monday, instead of his normal throw day Sunday, and figures to throw another Wednesday. Ricky Nolasco will pitch as scheduled Thursday against Arizona. Fife will be making his first start for the Dodgers since Aug. 4. In two relief appearances since his most recent recall, he has allowed seven earned runs in five innings.
Was that the game you are going to? LOL, poor bastard...anyway it worked for Ryu, dude was great last night.