The Deal is DONE

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made the biggest signing in baseball history, making their ace Clayton Kershaw the highest annually paid ball player out there.  Kershaw agreed to a 7 year, 215 million dollar deal with the choice of becoming a free agent or not in 5 years, if Kershaw chooses.  He will be making a 30.7 million dollars by the season and passes Verlander and the deal he made last offseason with the Tigers.  With a 2.60 career ERA and 2 Cy Young awards in his 6 seasons, all with the Dodgers, the richest team in baseball saw it fit to take the risk of putting so much money on such a long term with their starter.  Many question this risk however, as it does not take much to slow a great starting pitcher down.  Sandy Koufax had 6 great seasons, then fell out of the league with his injuries.  The same could happen to Kershaw if say a Tommy John surgery was needed and the Dodgers would lose 30.7 million on that season with him out of the rotation.  Overall, this deal should be worth it for the Dodgers as Kershaw should deliver some great numbers keeping the Dodgers out of front of the NL West with only the Diamondbacks and Giants to worry about every now and then.  The Dodgers have entered a phase of domination with their owners bringing in so much dough to attract all the players they want.  I expect to see the Dodgers run away with the NL West for at least the next 3-5 straight years. Though the DBacks and Giants have good rosters as well, it will most likely have to be a wildcard spot for them if they want into the postseason.
In other news, veteran outfielder Delmon Young has agreed with Baltimore on a minor league contract while the Padres signed Seth Smith to a one year deal.  While the Yankees have been making some deals to try and help their team out in their current hard times.  They added Matt Thornton to the bullpen for 2 years and Brian Roberts to the middle infield for one year.
I am very interested to see how this season turns out, especially in the AL West with Cano, Hart, Morrison and others now with Seattle, Fielder with Texas, and the Angels adding more and more arms such as Mulder and LeBlanc to the team.  We will see if the A's ways still pay off, or if the high spending finally works for one their rivals.