The Dodgers offered Clayton Kershaw a contract valued at approximately $300MM some time this season, ESPN's Buster Olney reports. The offer was "essentially a lifetime contract" that a source with knowledge of the discussions described as "an A-Rod deal."
Sources say that the two sides weren't able to reach an agreement, with Kershaw citing uncertainty about making such a large commitment and about discussing his contract during the season. However, the progress thus far indicates to some who are aware of the discussions that a deal could be completed this winter. The eventual contract may be "more conservative in length" than the Dodgers' offer and would allocate a significant amount of money toward a charity of Kershaw's choice.
Regardless, the deal is expected to be the largest ever for a pitcher, Olney says. According to MLBTR's reckoning, the record is currently C.C. Sabathia's $161MM pact with the Yankees that was inked after the 2008 season.
The 25-year-old Kershaw, who is on track to reach free agency following the 2014 season, has a lifetime 2.60 ERA in 1,180 regular-season innings.
