After missing out on Zack Greinke, the Dodgers are targeting free agent starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. We actually heard last night from Rosenthal that Iwakuma figured in the team’s backup plans.
Iwakuma originally jumped to the majors in 2012. He has spent his entire major league career with the Mariners where he compiled a 3.17 ERA with 7.59 K/9 and 1.65 BB/9 over 653 innings. As a command and control specialist who relies on a 88 mph fastball and a splitter, he is less likely than some pitchers to decline dramatically as he ages.
Rosenthal points out (via Twitter) that Iwakuma’s age is actually a positive attribute. He’s entering his age 35 season so he won’t command a lengthy contract. Rosenthal notes that the Giants and Mariners are believed to be in the mix for Iwakuma. As of yesterday, the Dodgers were also speaking with the representatives of Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija (since signed by the Giants), and Scott Kazmir. They’ve been linked to Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda too.
As a mariner fan, as much as I would like iwakuma to stay, there are other less expensive options out there
A decent plan B for the Dodgers
I’d be pretty happy with Iwakuma, he’d be a solid addition to the rotation
I love the plan of Iwakuma or Meada for the Dodgers. It lines them up until Urias and De Leon.
He’ll resign with Seattle
I don’t know about that. The Dodgers can certainly throw more money at him
They can but for his age how much would they really give him. Like a 2 year 18 mill deal.they need pen help more then anything
This guy will get like 3/50. Out of the twenty-something free agent pitchers he was like fourth best in terms of performance the past few years. Most under the radar/biggest value guy by far
That fair I’m just guessing since he older he wouldn’t cost as much as other guys. Dodgers need pen help more then anything
Absolutely. I could not believe a few weeks ago when the Mariners thought they were going to get him for a cheap 2 year deal. Every team should be looking at him. He finished third in CY voting in ’14 or ’13.
Could not agree more does everyone just ignore the fact that he has won 47 games in 4 seasons and was an all star he also threw a no hitter last year and has a career 3.17 ERA with amazing command I mean he just doesn’t walk anybody and his fastball is 89-92 and I’ve seen him hit 94 I watch every mariners game and he is worth 3 years at 20 million a year especially if zamardjia just got 18 million a year over 5 years and has a career era of over 4
i know, people talk about iwakuma like he’s mediocre and i have no idea why
have to agree,solid starter, flash of brilliance, worth much more, Seattle can afford a decent deal here and keep Kuma a Mariner.
Disagree. I think now they clearly need a number 2 in the rotation. Wood, anderson, ryu and mccarthy make up the remainder decently but another good pitcher is needed to compete. Particularly with a tougher division with arizona rising.
Ryu not that bad he has a career ERA of like 3.17 If they just add another solid picther and they have better health they will be fine. The bigger question if can they fix the pen
I think most of the guys in the bullpen if healthy will form a formiddable group, probably add a clear cut setup man tho like they attempted to with joel peralta. Maybe a papelbon or sipp.
2/18 is way light. Unless you meant 18/year.
I think it would look pretty bad for the Mariners front office if he signed elsewhere. At the beginning of the offseason, they said that resigning him was their top priority. When you say stuff like that, the fan base gets annoyed when you miss out on that player. Not saying there was some huge attachment from the Seattle fan base to Iwakuma though.
the sources I read show the Dodgers are not that in on Iwakuma because he would cost them a draft pick if they signed him. I believe him to be a valuable pitcher, but the draft pick will lower his value to the contending teams
Dipoto too busy making small deals and probably lose Kuma in the process.
If he can keep up with his 2014 production, he is certainly worth a shot. In any event, hopefully the Dodgers will be smart and aggressive with the money they saved with not signing Grienke. Heyward should be an obvious possible investment though I have to admit, the going suggestion of 10 years/200 million makes me itch with nervousness too.
A great plan B. I don’t trust the health of Cueto, and Iwakuma and would sign for one or two years. This would allow young arms like Urias, DeLeon, Holmes and Buehler to develop and allow Ryu and McCarthy to get healthy. With the money saved from the Greinke loss, it needs to be spent in our bullpen. Maybe even look to trade for another top closer.
Would like to know more about Maeda.
I read here that he is rumored to prefer playing for the Dodgers.
That no surprise since international players are well like in LA
Also new manager Dave Roberts is half Japanese (Japanese mother) – should help with Iwakuma and Maeda
With a 2.39 era for 7 years in japan he clearly ought to be targeted by any team who neeeds pitching
How much will he get
i’d think he’d be inline for a moderate 3 or 4 year deal at around 10-12 M per year.
Not bad back up. They can give him a short term deal and guys like Holmes and urias can take his spot
A great plan B. I do not trust Cueto’s health. Iwakuma could be a great stop gap for young arms like Urias, De Leon, Holmes and Buehler. Also help with the healing process of Ryu and McCarthy. With the money saved, use it towards the bullpen, and maybe trade for a top tier closer.
Royals are interested too
As a guess, if he signs it will be a 3 or 4 year deal
If so, not with the Dodgers.
Looks like somebody missed the arithmetic.
He was under team control through 2017. Why did the Mariners grant him free agency?
this is actually the second time he’s been on the open market. i’m assuming it’s not the mariners’ choice – i think a lot of times established international players from places like japan or cuba get a clause put in their original contracts that they become free agents at the end instead of going to arbitration or whatever. pretty sure cespedes had that; i *think* that’s the deal with iwakuma too, although i’m not 100%.
No, he wasn’t. He had an option in his contract for 2016, which was exercised, but no option for 2017.
Ok then Baseball Reference has it wrong. They list him as second-year arbitration eligible, earliest free agency in 2018.
The Mariners exercised the 2015 club option on Hisashi Iwakuma, who last month turned down Seattle’s qualifying offer, thereby becoming a free agent following the 2015 season.
Because they’re the Mariners.
Yes, because the Dodgers and all their money have so many World Championships in the last quarter century.
I wouldn’t mind if dodgers use Zack money and sign two pitchers. Since ryu health a question and wood struggles a 6 man rotation wouldn’t be a bad idea
They wouldn’t use a 6 man rotation because that limits Kershaw to about 27 starts a year vs about 33
Yankees traded gardner
Trade*
For strausburg that would be good
Harper to the yankees for gardner miller nova and refsnyder????
Close, but I think the Nats will have to throw in a little extra to make it even.
no chance.
I’m guessing the Dodgers feel like cueto is too much of a risk.
Completely agree
This numbers outside of kc are good. But I hear he has elbow issues so I guess with the money he wants will be a risk
Cueto absolutely is way too much of a risk. With a balky elbow, TJ is on the horizon. They shouldn’t even entertain a discussion.
yeah. for the money cueto’s going to get the dodgers can probably sign both iwakuma and maeda, and they both feel safer to me even though iwakuma’s old and maeda’s never pitched here
Tonight?
Friedman and Co. have much work to do. Two SOLID starters and rebuild the bullpen. I think they should target starters with low BB/9 since IF defense may not be as solid
as 2015. Iwakuma is a good start. Not that familiar with Leake’s peripherals.
Would be a great gamble for the Sox or any other team really.
Iwakuma and his health issues scare me going 3 years and 15MM/year.. The M’s would be better off spending $$ elsewhere.. Let the Dodgers have him at that price.. Although the Mariners are certainly flush with cash, it would be a waste of capital..
Solid starter, flash of brilliance at times, Seattle’s got competition for him now, they need to ‘re-sign him now!