Hiroki Kuroda Rumors

The Dodgers' Rotation

They're 15-8, in first place in the NL West, but the Dodgers face questions about a rotation that includes three ERAs of 5.50 or more. Behind Chad Billingsley and Randy Wolf, they have Clayton Kershaw, who hasn't pitched out the the fifth inning his last two starts, James McDonald, who has walked a batter an inning this year, and Eric Stults, who's allowing two baserunners an inning. Yahoo's Tim Brown takes stock of the rotation and how Ned Colletti will progress with it. Brown says it's unlikely the Dodgers will add Pedro Martinez, Paul Byrd, Odalis Perez or Freddy Garcia....   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Crosby, Kawakami, Wolf

3:44pm: MLB.com's Jim Street says Crosby cleared waivers. 9:00am: The word from Ken Rosenthal... The A's placed shortstop Bobby Crosby on outright waivers in the hope that some team will assume his $5.75MM salary for '09. After his lousy '08, he may go unclaimed. The Braves were focused on Rafael Furcal; they're not looking to add a different infielder as a backup plan. They still want another starting pitcher. Dave O'Brien names some possible targets. Rosenthal says some teams fear Kenshin Kawakami might want to match Hiroki Kuroda's three-year, $35.3MM deal. The Mariners would like to add a left-handed hitter...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Tazawa, Boras, Cuban

Links for Tuesday... Scouts from the Tigers and Indians visited Junichi Tazawa yesterday. This week's chat has been pushed to Wednesday at 2pm CST. I chatted with The Baseball Opinion on November 10th. Patrick Newman compares Kenshin Kawakami and Hiroki Kuroda. Jesse Spector talks to D'Backs GM Josh Byrnes. Ken Davidoff explains the semantics games often played by agents, GMs, and journalists. Peter Abraham makes free agent predictions. Chat with Scott Boras at USA Today on Wednesday at 10am CST. You can submit questions in advance. SI.com's Jon Heyman says Mark Cuban's bid for the Cubs wasn't high enough, anyway.   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Bedard, Teixeira, Longoria, Durham

Rounding up today's links... Live chat here today at 2pm CST. Geoff Baker has a link and commentary on Erik Bedard's Philadelphia radio appearance. I'm with Baker - this was an odd choice by Bedard, who typically avoids the media. According to Ken Rosenthal, the Brewers are interested in the Giants' Ray Durham and Jack Taschner. MLB.com's Mark Bowman believes the Braves will shop Mark Teixeira if they decide they can't contend. They're currently six games out. Dave Cameron concluded his MLB Trade Value series at FanGraphs. He considers Evan Longoria the most valuable asset in the game, partially because...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Doue, Furcal, Kuroda

Here are today's links. Dave Cameron notes Nelson Cruz's video game numbers in Triple A and suggests he deserves another shot. Japanese catcher Hayato Doue was expected to join the Red Sox organization, but visa problems have gotten in the way. Buster Olney notes that Rafael Furcal will test free agency if he can't hammer out an extension with the Dodgers by midseason. Shigetoshi Hasegawa denies the notion that he pushed Hiroki Kuroda toward the Dodgers. Athletics Nation sees Billy Beane targeting pitcher Tanner Scheppers if he's available with the 12th pick. Also, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com has an overall...   Continue Reading

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Dutton On Royals' Free Agent Starter Search

I recently named the Kansas City Star's Bob Dutton as Rumor Royalty for the Royals. He was kind enough to answer a few questions for the site. MLBTR: It seems pretty clear the Royals are going to sign a veteran starter. They've been linked to Bartolo Colon, Jon Lieber, Kris Benson, and others who have signed elsewhere. Who do you see as the best fit for this team? Dutton: The guy they really wanted was Hiroki Kuroda, and I'm pretty sure they tendered the top bid before he signed with the Dodgers. They liked Carlos Silva but not at his..   Continue Reading

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Dodgers Sign Kuroda

UPDATE, 12-15-07 at 6:26pm: Crasnick has an update: it's for $35-36MM over three years. So he's no bargain. $35.3MM, to be exact. UPDATE, 12-15-07 at 3:52pm: Ken Rosenthal checks in, noting that the Dodgers and other clubs were willing to go to four years on Kuroda but he preferred three. UPDATE, 12-15-07 at 2:25pm: Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News reports that the Dodgers have signed Kuroda to a three-year deal worth between $36-40MM, pending a physical. The Dodgers will go with Brad Penny, Chad Billingsley, Derek Lowe, Kuroda, and Jason Schmidt if he's healthy. Esteban Loaiza might have..   Continue Reading

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Dodgers In Lead For Hiroki Kuroda?

UPDATE, 12-12-07 at 10:05pm: Still no clarity on the Kuroda situation. MLB.com's Ken Gurnick notes Japanese reports indicating Kuroda has signed with the Dodgers, but Ned Colletti is still awaiting word from his agent. Here's Tony Jackson's update; he says pretty much the same. UPDATE, 12-12-07 at 1:40pm: Jerry Crasnick checks in, noting that Kuroda is visiting his California-based agent. They'll go over the four offers they have in hand. UPDATE, 12-12-07 at 8:56am: If the Diamondbacks are out of the running for Kuroda, they haven't been informed of it. Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News wrote early today..   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Santana, Cabrera, Kuroda, Edmonds, Rolen

Ken Rosenthal checks in with the latest hot stove buzz around baseball. Johan Santana is Boston's only target - they're not after Dan Haren or any other starter. The talks keep slugging along. For what it's worth, Curt Schilling expects the Red Sox to get him. 36 year-old first baseman Alex Cabrera is a sleeper power threat among free agents. The former Rockie, Cub, and Diamondback has been mashing in Japan since 2001. The Nationals don't have any room for him but want him anyway. Rosenthal says A.L. clubs are looking at him as a DH candidate, also. Cabrera hit..   Continue Reading

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Royals Still Want Kuroda; Could Turn To Silva

Bob Dutton of the KC Star has the latest Royals buzz, as usual. The Royals are being aggressive trying to win an unlikely bid for Hiroki Kuroda. They might even send Trey Hillman to Japan to make a last-minute pitch. The Dodgers currently lead for Kuroda, who will decide from Japan rather than take a U.S. tour. Plan B for the Royals is said to be Carlos Silva, but not at a price higher than four years and $40MM. That probably won't cut it for Silva, who can probably get an additional $10MM or another year elsewhere   Continue Reading

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