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According to ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne, Clayton Kershaw has agreed to a 7 year, $215 million contract with an opt out after five years.
The Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw have agreed on a seven year, $215 million contract, sources have told ESPN. Out after five
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 15, 2014
The contract is record breaking both in terms of total dollars and average annual value for a pitcher. Kershaw was heading into his final arbitration year and could have become a free agent after the 2014 season.
Many Rangers fans had Clayton on their wish list as a potential return of the Highland Park pitcher to his hometown and this announcement ends the hopes of Kershaw signing as a free agent next winter.