Headlines

  • Tucker Barnhart To Retire
  • Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline
  • Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib
  • Reds Release Jeimer Candelario
  • Dave Parker Passes Away
  • Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Yankees Haven’t Made Offer To Hiroki Kuroda

By Mark Polishuk | December 9, 2011 at 9:59am CDT

9:59am: While no offer has been made, the Yankees indeed "like Kuroda very much," according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter link). 

8:55am: The Yankees haven't made Kuroda an offer, tweets MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

8:13am: The Yankees have offered Hiroki Kuroda a one-year contract worth approximately $12MM in U.S. dollars, reports Japanese news outlet Sponichi (passed on by Mike Axisa of River Ave Blues).  The Yankees were one of several teams known to have an interest in Kuroda and as Axisa points out, the presence of Kuroda's old battery-mate Russell Martin could be a factor that only the Yankees could offer the right-hander.

If signed, Kuroda would join a rotation that features C.C. Sabathia and four relative question marks in Phil Hughes, Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia and A.J. Burnett.  On paper, Kuroda would be the No. 2 starter, though it remains to be seen how the 36-year-old would fare pitching in the AL East as opposed to pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium.

Share 1 Retweet 66 Send via email0

New York Yankees Hiroki Kuroda

NL East Notes: Marlins, Rollins, Mets, Zimmerman
Main
Yankees Sign Freddy Garcia
View Comments (98)
Post a Comment

98 Comments

  1. Liam_Ho

    14 years ago

    How is Ivan Nova a question mark? Sure hes not the obvious number 2 but a lot more dependable going into the season then everybody else.

    Reply
    • jjs91

      14 years ago

       strikeout rate, it’s not a big deal though i also think he had a higher k rate after he used the slider

      Reply
      • notsureifsrs

        14 years ago

        from 5.0 per 9 to 5.7 per 9

        Reply
        • jjs91

          14 years ago

           From a 4.98,  4.18, 5.79, 6.75, to a 6.55, and a 4.54 the last month may cast doubts on the change but that’s still something to be encouraged about.  

          Reply
          • notsureifsrs

            14 years ago

            maybe, but it’s not usually a good idea to pick and choose like that. the 6.75 comes from 12 innings and essentially 1 game against baltimore

            Reply
            • jjs91

              14 years ago

              True it is a tiny sample and in that regard he should be viewed as a question mark but he still has shown some ability it’s like hes a scrub like he is often portrayed. 

              Reply
    • bj82

      14 years ago

      I guess they see what happen to Hughes after winning 18 games. There is not sure thing in the rotation besides CC if you think about it.

      Reply
      • Liam_Ho

        14 years ago

        I totally agree that if he were playing on a team besides the Yankees (or some other high powered offense) he would be average at best.
        But because of all that run support he’s good enough.

        Reply
        • jjs91

          14 years ago

           His offense affects, his era,fip, xfip? 

          Reply
          • Liam_Ho

            14 years ago

            His sabermetric numbers were not that great.

            Reply
            • jjs91

              14 years ago

              than neither were kuroda’s. A .03 difference in fip and era is not a big difference at all. Especially since his fip and xfip probably improved once he used his slider.

              Reply
              • notsureifsrs

                14 years ago

                adjusted for league and park factors, nova’s FIP was actually 5% better than kuroda’s (96 to 101)

                his ERA (87 to 83) and SIERA (4.28 to 3.66) were worse, but i think it’s largely the lack of a track record or strong scouting reputation that makes people question him and not kuroda

                Reply
          • commenter3346

            14 years ago

            His FIP (4.01) & xFIP (4.16) weren’t great in the first place.

            Reply
            • jjs91

              14 years ago

              For a rookie it’s pretty good, besides it’s not like kuroda’s 3.78, fip is that great in the nl west. Also out of curiosity are you worried about clay whose saber stats were considerably worse?

              Reply
              • Liam_Ho

                14 years ago

                You need clarify who you’re referring to as Clay?

                Reply
                • MB923

                  14 years ago

                  Aiken, duh!

                  Reply
                • Lunchbox45

                  14 years ago

                  buchholz prob

                  Reply
                • jjs91

                  14 years ago

                  Buchholz 

                  Reply
                  • Liam_Ho

                    14 years ago

                    He’s always been a pretty high% flyball pitcher. Which is why fangraphs rates his numbers so high. Its just that those balls have never really gone out.

                    Reply
                    • jjs91

                      14 years ago

                      I’m not sure what you’re even saying is clay’s saber stats not a big deal for because you say those balls dont go out? Besides they go out 10% of the time thats a lot.

                      Reply
                      • Liam_Ho

                        14 years ago

                        I’m looking at his 2010 season because it was his best one, while he only had 14 starts in 2011.

                        His HR% was 5.6% which is very low. I’m not saying they don’t matter but that he was luckier than normal according to fangraphs.

                        Reply
        • Luke Stankiewicz

          14 years ago

          that’s what they said about AJ

          Reply
        • YanksFanSince78

          14 years ago

          The offense has no bearing on his pitching. You can win a lot of games with a horrible ERA/FIP because of the runs scored but it’s not going to make the pitchers numbers (other wins) look any better.

          That being said, I’m one of the fans that thinks we need to take it easy with our expectations with Nova. I definetly think he CAN turn into a solid #2 or #3 but I’m not ready to say he’s going to be that in 2012. 

          What I do like about the kid is that he has a great arm, induces a ton of GB’s and from June on lowered his walks, raised his K’s, continued to induce GB’s and went further thru games. I think he definitely got better as the season went on.

          Reply
          • notsureifsrs

            14 years ago

            walk-rate went from 3.7 per 9 to 2.5, k-rate from 5.0 to 5.7, but gb/fb went from 1.33 to 1.02

            i definitely agree it’s important not to ask him to be a front-end starter. i don’t think he should be trying to strike guys out, but limiting walks and drawing bad contact. as we saw in 2011, if he can keep his team in games, he can have plenty of success

            Reply
      • jjs91

        14 years ago

        So they’re worried he’ll get hurt like hughes did?

        Reply
        • Dave_in_Gainesville

          14 years ago

          Yeah, I don’t get the question-mark-narrative with Yankee pitching, either. Would we be calling Ivan Nova a question mark if he were a Minnesota Twin? The idea that his BABIP and K/9 suggest some reversion-to-mean in 2012 does *not* qualify him as a question mark. AJ Burnett is a question mark; that’s why they’re trying to unload him by eating some of his salary. Ivan Nova and Phil Hughes are *not* question marks. They will be in the rotation. That sentence does not end with a question mark; it ends with a period.

          Reply
          • jjs91

            14 years ago

            Right i mean let’s take doug fister, for instance sure he can regress back to what he was doing before ins eattle but no one even wants to say that. Instead fister is being portrayed as two different pitchers. The one in seattle and the one in det as if their is any difference. Certainly any pitcher can regress and have a bad sophomore season or what not it’s just said a lot more when you’re in ny or any large media market.

            Reply
          • slider32

            14 years ago

            Hughes and Nova were on the Verducci list, maybe that’s what they are referring too.

            Reply
          • YanksFanSince78

            14 years ago

            Nova is a question mark in that he’s a 2nd year player. Hughes is a question mark because he was injured last year and hasn’t exactly been as good as he was in the 1st half of 2010. That’s not to say that either of them shouldn’t be locked in as starters next year though. I think both have enough potential and are young enough that we should try and continue to develop the.

            Reply
    • captainjeter

      14 years ago

      you kidding me Cashman? Picking from the garbage pile again? Nova is not a  question mark , he proved himself. It is Burnett that is the huge   question mark. I have more confedience in Hughes  being the 2010 Hughes, than Burnett   being  anything but a  major disappointment and sick headache.

      Reply
  2. 0bsessions

    14 years ago

    Smart move considering the commitments they’ve already got. The guy’s been remarkably consistent throughout his career.

    I’d like for the Sox to get in on him and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Rangers make a move here either.

    Reply
  3. jjs91

    14 years ago

    I wouldnt mind a one year deal for kuroda but nothing more. I wouldnt mind going it to the season with the rotation how it is. Though i can see the rangers getting desperate and out bidding them for him.

    Reply
  4. NYBravosFan10

    14 years ago

    AJ Burnett isn’t a question mark as to whether or not he’s rotation worthy, it’s a question mark as to whether or not he’s anything above the 4 or 5 spot.

    Reply
  5. MG83

    14 years ago

    Good 1 year hold over until Betances and Banuelos are ready for the Bronx.

    Reply
  6. Rachid Echchad

    14 years ago

    At the end of the day Kuroda will sign for 1 year with another year as a player’s option(but I still don’t know for which team).

    Reply
  7. frankt

    14 years ago

    Yea I don’t get that. How is Nova a question mark? He put up great numbers and can only get better.

    Reply
    • Liam_Ho

      14 years ago

      Looking at his peripherals it was clear he had success by being on the Yankees, a lot of run support.

      Reply
      • jjs91

        14 years ago

        Huh? i’m not sure how you are connecting the two looking at kuroda’s peripherals kuroda was clearly helped by the dodgers lack of run support right? Putting up a fip of 4 as a rookie is very good, and chances are nova has abetter year next year than kuroda.

        Reply
        • Liam_Ho

          14 years ago

          I never said anything about Kuroda, very questionable if he can pitch in that ballpark or in the AL East. I’m saying that Nova’s numbers are slightly worse when looking at the saber numbers.

          Reply
          • slider32

            14 years ago

            All pitching is questionable, name 10 starters that have had 5 good seasons in a row. It’s hard to do.

            Reply
      • frankt

        14 years ago

        Not sure but what was his era.

        Reply
        • Liam_Ho

          14 years ago

          3.74

          Reply
        • MB923

          14 years ago

          3.70 but it was much higher at Yankee Stadium than away, which makes sense. His ERA+ was 118

          Reply
      • YanksFanSince78

        14 years ago

        You’re focusing on wins and losses. I think his ERA/FIP speak better towards what he did last year as a rookie.

        Reply
    • Guest 5752

      14 years ago

      Ask Rick Porcello about this. He had a very solid first season but has fallen off in seasons 2 and 3. The league could figure out Nova, he could get less run support, etc. He’s a safe bet to be at least decent, though, sure.

      Reply
      • MB923

        14 years ago

        Nova pitched his best with low run support. A matter of fact, the Yankees scored 6 or more runs for him in 11 games, his ERA in those games was 4.50.

        His ERA when they scored 0-2 runs for him was 1.83 (however that was only in 3 games). With 3-5 runs scored for him, his ERA was 3.39

        Reply
        • jjs91

          14 years ago

          That’s only because the ease of mind he got from those great yankee bats!!!

          Reply
  8. brent isaacs

    14 years ago

    No wonder the Yanks didn’t do much at the winter meetings…All makes sense now.

    This is a prelude to the Yankees getting VERY VERY aggressive on bidding for Yu Darvish. Both pitchers are from Osaka, Japan…Kuroda (36) would mentor Yu (25) & ease his transition to America greatly!!! And 1yr/$12M contract for Kuroda isn’t a bad investment (for the NYY)…If it helps the Asian Ace become a dominate presence in the AL East.

    And it probably makes signing the Japanese SS, a little more feasible. (even though he wants to be on the LeftCoast – SEA)

    A Win-Win, IMO…if the Yanks get it done.

    Reply
    • Guest 5751

      14 years ago

      Interesting theory. Definitely makes sense.

      Reply
    • dc21892

      14 years ago

      Too thought out IMO.

      Reply
  9. Dave

    14 years ago

    it would be interesting if this could entice Nakajima to accept a utility role as well as the possible signing of Darvish if they win the bid.

    Reply
  10. DieHardYankeeFanSinceBirth

    14 years ago

    Clearly the idea here must be to get Kuroda so he has a fellow Japanese speaker besides a translator in the clubhouse for when the Yankees get Darvish and either trade Burnett while eating a ton of salary or put Hughes in the pen depending how spring training goes. I believe the Yankees need to get Yu Darvish in order to win the world series next year. CC YU will rock. I also believe the financial impact in ticket sales and merchandising alone will make Yu Darvish profitable within the 1st year of him signing. He looks incredibly good and has a vibe and ego to fit NYC.

    Reply
    • commenter3346

      14 years ago

      Darvish can speak English.

      Reply
    • Guest 5750

      14 years ago

      T-shirt idea: Yu Got Served! Okay, that’s horrible, sorry.

      Reply
      • DieHardYankeeFanSinceBirth

        14 years ago

        could be good 🙂 heres hoping they get him.

        Reply
      • Matthew Costanzo

        14 years ago

        If Yu ever hits a HR during interleague play, that’s definitely a possibility for Jon Sterling’s HR call

        Reply
        • Guest 5748

          14 years ago

          Ha. Or he’ll go with “Yuuuuuuu betcha!”

          Reply
          • MB923

            14 years ago

            See Yuuuuu later

            Reply
            • Matthew Costanzo

              14 years ago

              That could be an adaptation for Michael Kay’s “See Ya!”

              Reply
          • YanksFanSince78

            14 years ago

            Maybe “Yu yu yu yu yu got what I need”? 

            Reply
  11. LotusFlower16

    14 years ago

    If Yankees DO get Kuroda, they would have SP’s of CC/Kuroda/Nova/AJ/Freddy/Hughes/Noesi (as Cash did make clear that he really like Noesi and willing to give him shot at ST)… as much as there are question marks I’m not sure if getting Kuroda is the means to ‘faciliate’ getting Darvish, honestly.  If anything, I think it kinda detracts them away from bidding aggressively

    Reply
  12. levendis

    14 years ago

    Nova is a question mark b/c this is only going to be his 2nd full season in the bigs. He could do worse, but I love the kid and expect him to grow as a player. The slider he picked up after he was called up is an extremely important pitch. If he builds on the success of last year the Yankees are going to be in good shape.

    I love the Kuroda move, if he signs. Hes a very good, reliable pitcher, and its only for 1 year. I think if they sign him it pushes AJ out of the rotation, or makes him fight for a job with Phil Hughes during Spring Training.

    Reply
  13. jjs91

    14 years ago

    Just because two guys are japanese doesnt mean they’ll get along this most probably has nothing to do with darvish, and considering how reluctant kuroda has been about pitching in the east, he’s probably not in the position to make anyone comfortable about pitching.

    Reply
  14. slider32

    14 years ago

    This would be a smart move by the Yanks, Kuroda not only solves the #2 problem, but is short term. With the killer bees only a year away and Noesi, Warren, and Mitchell ready, the Yanks pitching would be strong. Kuroda would bridge the gap without giving up prospects. I don’t think it’s a smart move to go after Darvish. He’s going to cost 120+ million and is not proven in the majors. Most teams would love to have those ?. They were 3rd in the AL last year in the toughest division.

    Reply
  15. Thomas Anello

    14 years ago

    I get it. But I am not a fan of this. Kuroda is going to get lit up in the AL east. Darvish does nothing for me either. Go with your guys and let Noesi pitch. I hate how the Yankees will talk about how good these young arms are but they never give them a shot at being Tim Lincecum or Josh Johnson. The Yankees treat young pitching the way your mom treats her fine china, they never use it. It just sits on the shelf and gets dusty. 

    Reply
    • slider32

      14 years ago

      You can’t afford to pitch too many young pitchers if you are always a contender. One young pitcher is the most you can have each year. The Yanks did a good job with Hughes and Nova the past few years, the problem is that they pitched too many innings because of the playoffs.

      Reply
      • Since_77

        14 years ago

        I wish the Rays would take your advice then wouldn’t have to deal with them every year.

        Shields is the oldest at 30 of that homegrown starting rotation.

        Reply
        • slider32

          14 years ago

          The Rays are a different animal, they were bad for years, and were able to draft at the top. Price was the first pick in the draft, the Yanks will never get the first pick in the draft. On the other hand you have to pick the right players, the O’s could have picked Lincecum, Cain, and Bumgartner ahead of the Giants.

          Reply
  16. john

    14 years ago

    The yanks problem is not so much who their starters are but if a injury occurs they are in big trouble.  The offense can score enough runs for a mediocre pitcher to get a win.  If a injury does happen the prospects will be gone for a pitcher.

    Reply
    • jjs91

      14 years ago

      Except alot of their prospects are starters.

      Reply
      • john

        14 years ago

        None close to be ready or they would be competing for a spot. 

        Reply
        • jjs91

          14 years ago

          Who said noesi wasnt competing for a spot? 

          Reply
        • YanksFanSince78

          14 years ago

          @ AAA- AGE-IP-ERA-FIP

          They have Warren (24-152-3.60-4.05), Phelps (25-107-3.19-3.65), Mitchell (24-161-3.18-3.96) and Noesi (split time between AAA and majors).
          They have plenty of #4/#5 option types.

          Here’s the situation. You have CC, AJ, Nova and Hughes who are all either signed or pitchers who’ve already had MLB success. They added Garcia. They don’t have #1 or #2 caliber prospects other than Bets and Bans who are 1 year away at least. So, they have some interesting arms but just not obviously better options than what they have already.

          Reply
    • slider32

      14 years ago

      Noesi, Warren, Mitchell, are all ready to start in the majors, the problem is they are all #5 starters . The Yanks are looking for a #2  starter.

      Reply
  17. Truitalian9

    14 years ago

    could be a good signing to lure Darvish in. 

    Reply
  18. jondogg2010

    14 years ago

    Yes, I’m sure they do.

    Reply
  19. chee1rs

    14 years ago

    Kuroda — “bless you “

    Reply
  20. chee1rs

    14 years ago

    have
    haven’t
    have
    haven’t

    ……   zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    Reply
  21. chee1rs

    13 years ago

    absurdly ridiculous

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Tucker Barnhart To Retire

    Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Reds Release Jeimer Candelario

    Dave Parker Passes Away

    Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles

    Pirates Reportedly Have Very Few Untouchable Players At Trade Deadline

    Griffin Canning Believed To Have Suffered Achilles Injury

    Mariners Looking For Corner Infield Bats; Ownership Willing To Bump Payroll

    Wander Franco Found Guilty Of Sexual Abuse

    Mariners Place Rowdy Tellez On Release Waivers

    Max Meyer To Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery

    Whit Merrifield Announces Retirement

    White Sox Sign Noah Syndergaard To Minor League Deal

    Corbin Carroll Placed On IL With Wrist Fracture

    Hoops Rumors Has The Latest On NBA Draft, Free Agency

    Mets Option Francisco Alvarez

    Reds To Promote Chase Burns For MLB Debut

    A.J. Puk Undergoes Elbow Surgery; Gabriel Moreno Diagnosed With Fractured Finger

    Braves To Select Didier Fuentes

    Recent

    Tucker Barnhart To Retire

    Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

    Orioles Place Zach Eflin On Injured List

    Rockies Expected To Promote Yanquiel Fernandez

    Yankees Select Geoff Hartlieb, Place Fernando Cruz On 15-Day IL

    Trade Deadline Outlook: Chicago White Sox

    Trade Rumors Front Office Subscriber Chat Transcript

    Padres Designate Logan Gillaspie For Assignment

    Phillies Reinstate Bryce Harper, Designate Buddy Kennedy For Assignment

    Athletics Select Colby Thomas

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version