The Dodgers have one of baseball’s biggest payrolls but the team made what could prove to be an impact signing for just $1 million.
On Tuesday it was announced that the Dodgers and Jimmy Nelson had reached an agreement on a one-year deal which carried a vesting mutual option for 2021.
The Dodgers and Jimmy Nelson have agreed to a deal. It’s for one year plus a vesting mutual option. He’s guaranteed to make a little over $1 million in 2020 but could make over $3 million if healthy.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) January 7, 2020
Nelson was one of baseball’s better pitchers in 2017 but injured his shoulder while diving back into first base. The result was a lost 2018 season and a 2019 season which saw him compile a 6.95 ERA and a 1.91 WHIP in 10 games.
A prime candidate for a rebound, the Dodgers choose to buy low on Nelson giving him just $1 million guaranteed for the 2020 season. However if Nelson performs well there are incentives for this season and the mutual option for 2021 which could make his deal worth $13 million over the two years.
Now 30, Nelson had his breakout season in 2017 when he went 12-6 with a 3.49 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP for the Brewers prior to his injury.
The signing of Nelson gives the Dodgers yet another option for the fifth spot in their rotation and sets up a battle between Nelson, Ross Striping, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin for the fifth spot.
