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 that Kuroda was on a flight to L.A. – either indicating he is doing his recruiting tour or he signed with the Dodgers.  Jackson believes the latter is the case.

UPDATE, 12-12-07 at 8:21am: The Kyodo News, found via RotoWorld, reports that Kuroda has chosen the Dodgers and he informed his former team on Tuesday night.  The signing could be announced today.

UPDATE, 12-11-07 at 11:18pm: Geoff Baker tells us all to calm down.  Kuroda hasn’t made his decision yet, though the Dodgers and Mariners remain the frontrunners.  Baker believes it might take several days to reach a conclusion.

UPDATE, 12-11-07 at 9:17pm:  Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News has some info.  He says that Kuroda is strongly leaning towards the Dodgers and the decision is due soon.  Jackson verifies that Kuroda has cancelled his U.S. trip and will choose between the Dodgers and Mariners.  The presence of Takashi Saito may be a big point in the Dodgers’ favor.  But this deal is not done yet. 

FROM 12-11-07 at 8:10pm:

Just got a good tip that Hiroki Kuroda has chosen the Dodgers.  At least, that’s the word out of Japan – Ned Colletti and Co. aren’t fessing up to anything yet.  It definitely seems that the D’Backs are out of the mix.  Kuroda apparently cancelled his U.S. tour and will make his decision from home.  He may choose the Dodgers over the Ms despite L.A. offering a bit less.