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 to move to the bullpen for now.

UPDATE, 12-15-07 at 11:32am: Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times says Ned Colletti had multiple conversations with Kuroda’s agent yesterday, and the two sides made "significant progress."  The Dodgers still appear to be offering three years and $30MM.  Hernandez adds that Arizona continued talking to Kuroda’s agent as well – the addition of Dan Haren apparently doesn’t diminish their interest.

FROM 12-14-07 at 9:50pm:

After all the ruckus about Hiroki Kuroda earlier this week, his agent said today that he still has not reached a decision.  The decision is "very close," and may come by the end of the weekend.  The Mariners, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Royals have offers out.

No word yet on whether the D’Backs will pull their offer after snagging Dan Haren.  I know they’re going with the three-year payroll plan, so they can probably still fit Kuroda in.