Hiroki Kuroda is open to signing a one-year contract, reports Danny Knobler of CBS Sports, which could lead to "a reasonably quick deal" with the Yankees once the club makes its expected qualifying offer to the veteran right-hander on Friday. Kuroda turns 38 in February and wishes to eventually pitch again in Japan, which is why he's amenable to a short-term agreement that would leave his options open for the future.
Kuroda signed a one-year, $10MM deal with the Yankees last offseason and was the most stable member of the New York rotation, posting a 3.32 ERA, a 3.27 K/BB ratio and a career-best 219 2/3 innings, topped by only five pitchers in baseball last year. The qualifying offer would pay Kuroda $13.3MM in 2013, though Knobler notes that he could possibly turn the offer down in hopes of finding a slightly higher offer from the Yankees or another club. The Royals and Padres are two teams rumored to have interest in Kuroda, though he will draw looks from several teams on the open market.
come back to the dodgers please so you can retire there
If he only wants a 1 year deal, I expect many teams to go after him. And if he turns down the offer, I don’t think the Yankees can just let him walk. He may be old, but he was arguably their best pitcher last year. Do I expect as good a season next year has he had this year? No, but outside of Greinke and maybe Sanchez or Haren, all of whom are probably seeking multi-year deals, there’s not really any SP on the free agent market better than him.
It’s imperative that the Yankees retain him. He was their most consistent pitcher all year long. Even though AJ Burnett did great in Pittsburgh, a big reason why Kuroda was so much better than AJ is because he always kept the Yankees in the ball game. When he lost it was either because he got poor run support or just didn’t have his greatest stuff, but he always kept the game within range. Open to a one year deal means to me that he needs to return as a Yankee. Dodgers and Japan are definite competition but I want to see him back in the worst way. He has earned my respect. 5.2 WAR at 37 years old. Workhorse.
He’s like fine wine. Gets better with age. Yep, I just said that.
When Kuroda was pitching like an ace for the Dodgers, hardly anybody noticed him, and we kept hearing about how he had to stay in the NL because the AL would eat him for lunch.
Come back to LA, Kuroda! We’ve figured out the run support thing, I swear!
Highly doubt a team like the Padres would give up a high-round draft pick just to sign a guy for one year. Also, it was reported Kuroda went to the Yankees because he wanted to be on a contending team. Why would he risk going to a non-contender by going to the Padres or Royals? Highly likely he simply accepts the qualifying offer (or bargains slightly for an even $14M) and calls it a day.
Clearly he would have returned to the Dodgers but the previous ownership didn’t have the payroll to retain him.
On Kuroda, I really think that the Yankees should consider adding an option year that vests to a 1-year deal. Kuroda could have won more games if he didn’t have such wretched support early on. Complicating that is that Kuroda may want to finish his career back in NPB and might not want a second year.
I could see the Dodgers making a play for him now that ownership has changed.
Come back Hiro PLEASSE. The man pitched liked an ace for the Yanks. Should of won 20 games. It was disgusting the run support the Yankees gave him. I will cherish that gutty Game 2 performance against Detroit. I will not be shocked or upset if he goes back to LA. Wish him success where ever he goes.
He pitched like an ace for the Dodgers too, not that many AL fans noticed.
yeah I know, but the fact that he did in the AL East, in the best hitters park is unbelievable. I think everyone had their doubts when he first signed, especially after his first month
Not everyone. Only the people who didn’t know anything about Kuroda doubted his ability.
If he’ll take a one year deal, there’s no fear that signing him will cause the Yankees to miss getting beneath the luxury tax threshold for 2014. Therefore, I think/hope the Yankees will better any one year offer any other team makes Kuroda.
Kuroda was their most effective starter this past season. Being able to pitch is one thing; being able to pitch in New York is another. I don’t think they can afford to let him get away since he proved he can succeed in New York.
He spent four seasons in LA proving he could succeed. But that doesn’t count for a thing until he plays in New York. Typical!
I’m not holding my breath, but I’d be ecstatic if Kuroda chose to sign back with LA. The guy is a machine in a good way. He’s not quite a superstar, but he’s close to that level of performance consistently.
Don’t see it happening. It seems very unlikely that the Yankees opt not to make him an offer with Michael Pineda likely not available until mid-season.