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The Dodgers today signed pitcher Chad Billingsley to a three-year contract extension through the 2014 season, with an option for 2015. The deal, worth a total of $35 million guaranteed, buys out Billingsley's final arbitration season, plus two and possibly three years of free agency. He already agreed to a one-year, $6.275 million deal for 2011, his second year of arbitration eligibility.
"Through his professional career Chad has shown that he is very capable of winning games and taking the ball," said general manager Ned Colletti. "His won-loss record speaks to that as well as his innings pitched totals."
Billingsley was 12-11 with a 3.57 ERA last season, and after a June stint on the disabled list he put up a 3.05 ERA in his final 18 starts of the season, and allowed one home run in 132 2/3 innings after Memorial Day. His 59 career wins are the sixth most by an LA Dodger through their age 25 season, behind Fernando Valenzuela, Don Drysdale, Don Sutton, Ramon Martinez, and Ismael Valdes.
Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times provided the breakdown of the contract, and also noted that Billingsley has a limited no-trade clause that allows him to block trades to 10 teams. Here is the annual payout schedule for Billingsley:
- 2012: $9 million
- 2013: $11 million
- 2014: $12 million
- 2015: $14 million club option, with a $3 million buyout
If the option is picked up, the total deal will be worth $46 million over four years. Billingsley will have the opportunity to be a free agent at either age 30 or 31, depending on whether or not his option is exercised by the club.
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In other news, Rob Neyer turned his attention to the Dodgers today on SB Nation, with his "Spring Training 2011 Question of the Day." Neyer thinks that the bullpen will be key, as will Don Mattingly's handling of said bullpen in his first year as a manager.