The Dodgers have reportedly reached a 1-year deal with a vesting/mutual option for 2021 with right-handed pitcher Jimmy Nelson, according to Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times.
The deal, per source, can reach over $13 million over two seasons. Nelson, 30, missed the entire 2018 season with a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder. He dealt with elbow trouble last season and pitched in just 10 games. The Brewers non-tendered him in December.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) January 7, 2020
Bob Nightengale of USA and Adam McCalvy of MLB.com followed up Castillo’s report by reporting the financial details of Nelson’s deal. Nelson will reportedly be promised just $750,000 this year but he will earn $1 million in incentives if he makes the Opening Day roster and $500,000 apiece if he remains on it for 45 and 90 days. Further incentives could also add $1.5 million to Nelson’s 2020 earnings. As for the option, it will start out as a $2 million club option with a $500,000 buyout that makes up the remainder of the guaranteed cash. If Nelson throws 60 innings and/or makes 40 appearances, it’ll convert to a $5 million mutual option. That price can reach as much as $9 million if Nelson throws 170 innings for Los Angeles in the coming season.
Jimmy Nelson’s 2021 option converts to a $5M mutual option ($500k buyout) with 60 IP or 40 games pitched in 2020, and can increase up to $9M based on 2020 innings.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) January 7, 2020
Bottom line: Jimmy Nelson gets a chance to pitch for a winner, and he gets compensated if he proves healthy. Essentially, Nelson has a chance to earn what he would have made in arbitration with the Brewers had they opted to keep him.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) January 7, 2020
Nelson, 30, missed all of 2018 and most of 2019 due to shoulder and elbow injuries. When healthy Nelson has proven to be a solid starter. In 2017, Nelson went 12-6 with a 3.49 ERA, 3.05 FIP, 1.25 WHIP, and a 199/48 K/BB ratio in 175.1 innings (29 games, 29 starts).
He will compete with Kenta Maeda, Ross Stripling, Julio Urías, Tony Gonsolin, and Dustin May this spring for a role in the starting rotation.
The Dodgers have not yet confirmed this report.