Editorials

Dodgers Rumors: Tanaka Still Possible Even With Kershaw Extension

Masahiro TanakaLate last night and early this morning, rumors have been circulating that the Los Angeles Dodgers and ace Clayton Kershaw are nearing a record-breaking contract extension. The 25-year-old left-hander field for salary arbitration yesterday afternoon and the Dodgers would like to get a deal done before the two sides meet to trade figures Friday.

Kershaw’s agent Casey Close also represents Masahiro Tanaka, who still has nine days to decide which team he wants to sign with. The Dodgers interest in Tanaka has been all over the place, but according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports, a Kershaw extension won’t remove them from the sweepstakes:



At the moment, the figures being reportedly talked about in a Kershaw extension is 10 years and $300 million, which coincides with a report from the end of last season that the two sides had similar discussions during the season. Meanwhile, there were reports that a deal in the range of eight years and $240 million was also discussed, which is what the contract might end up looking like.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers have been pegged co-favorites to land Tanaka with the New York Yankees, with his wife who’s a pop star in Japan, reportedly wanting to move to the West Coast. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reportedly didn’t meet with him while he was in Los Angeles and there hasn’t been much from the Seattle Mariners of late.

It’s believed that Tanaka will cost over $100 million and it’ll be interesting to see if the Dodgers and Close to work out both deals around the same time. Still, nobody knows for sure what the 25-year-old right-hander wants, but it’s clear management has heard the panic from Dodger fans and is close to keeping Kershaw in LA for a very long time.

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ICYMI: Here’s the latest on the Dodgers pursuit of Masahiro Tanaka

Ross Gasmer

Ross Gasmer is a Social Media Producer for @TheHerd and was a contributing writer and editor for Dodger Nation. Follow him on Twitter @Ross_Gasmer12

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