Dodgers, Kershaw Talked Extension

The Dodgers have asked representatives of Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw if they had interest in a contract extension, a baseball source confirmed, but no serious talks have taken place, according to an ESPN report. Kershaw is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time after making $500,000 this year and could earn upwards of $8 million through a hearing. General manager Ned Colletti has previously downplayed the chances of a long-term deal with Kershaw at this time because, from the club’s standpoint, it would need to buy up some years of free agency. That would necessitate it being for longer than three years, which raises the injury risk, particularly for a pitcher. The Dodgers gave MVP runner-up Matt Kemp an eight-year, $160 million contract extension last month, but Kemp was only one year away from free agency. Kershaw turns 24 in March. — Ken Gurnick