The list of pitching jewels in the 2014 free-agent class was reduced by one Friday, as Justin Verlander agreed to a five-year extension with the Tigers worth $140 million which also includes an option for a sixth year at $22 million. That leaves the possibility of the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw being the best pitcher available on the market after the 2014 season.
He could command more money than Verlander, the Los Angeles Times notes. At 25, Kershaw is five years younger and left-handed, a trait viewed as a perk for pitchers.
Kershaw also captured the NL Cy Young Award in 2011 and finished second in the voting last year with his third straight season with a sub-3.00 ERA and 200-plus strikeouts. His salary last season was a relative bargain at $7.75 million.