D’Backs, Dodgers, Royals After Kuroda

UPDATE, 11-27-07 at 10pm: The D’Backs’ offer is rumored to be for three years and $27MM.  The Royals were connected to Kuroda today also, but that rumor surfaced on November 8th.  It was also revealed tonight that the Dodgers sent three people to Tokyo last week to talk to Kuroda, including Takashi Saito.

FROM 11-27-07 at 9am:

According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks made an offer to free agent Hiroki Kuroda ten days ago.  Piecoro suggests Kuroda could receive $10MM annually for three or four years.  A recent Japanese report indicated it might take four years, $45MM.  The Phillies also have an offer out to Kuroda.  Jim McLennan of AZ Snakepit has some additional info on the Japanese starter.

The Mariners are in the lead for Kuroda; they sent a contingent to Japan to speak with him.  Interest is huge – we’ve got the Rangers, Dodgers, Cubs, Phillies, Tigers, Royals, Mets in the mix as well.  The Cubs might be out now that they’ve officially moved Ryan Dempster to the rotation.  The Phillies are going hard after Randy Wolf, but that might not prevent them from pursuing Kuroda.  The Dodgers could be right behind the Mariners, according to the L.A. Daily News.  They’ve scouted him quite a bit.

Back to the D’Backs – they’re considering a couple different routes to add a starter.  They’d be in the mix for Joe Blanton, Dan Haren, Ervin Santana or Jeremy Bonderman if those young hurlers were made available.  Carlos Gonzalez is said to be the main trade chip.  They also might opt to offer incentive-free deals to injury risks like Matt Clement or Bartolo Colon.