Kuroda Wants Four Years

UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 6:28pm: Tony Jackson dug up some info on this situation.  He says the Mariners’ three-year offer worth $30-33MM is tops so far, despite other reports.  He doesn’t believe the Mariners are at 4/44.  The Ms and Dodgers, as expected, are the leaders for Kuroda.

UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 3:55pm: First Heyman suggested 3/45 for Kuroda.  Now Jeff Passan is saying 5/50!  Passan throws the Giants into the mix for him, which is a new one. 

UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 3:29pm: Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News confirms that the Dodgers have an offer out to Kuroda, probably in the 3/30 range.  He says that the Ms are reportedly already at four years and more than $40MM.

FROM 12-4-07 at 1:26pm:

Previous reports floating about had the Mariners offering four years, $44MM to Hiroki Kuroda.  Not so, according to MLB.com’s Jim Street.  Street says the Mariners, Dodgers, and D’Backs have all made offers in the three-year, $30MM range.  None of the three clubs wants to go to four years on soon-to-be 33 year-old pitcher with no MLB experience.

Kuroda may make his decision early next week, after his agents meet with the interested parties.

Street adds that the Ms plan to meet with the Orioles today to discuss Erik Bedard possibilities.  Also, he mentions the rumor that the Mariners inquired on Ben Sheets.  Maybe it was both the Dodgers and Mariners.