Dodgers Close To Resigning Kuroda

Hiroki Kuroda is back with
the boys in blue

• One of the top free-agent hurlers might not be moving at all.  ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting that the Los Angeles Dodgers are close to finishing off a contract extension with Hiroki Kuroda.  The deal is thought to be a 1-year pact worth $12M, and would bring one of the Dodgers' best arms back to the organization.  The 35-year old Kuroda went 11-13 with a 3.39 ERA last year, and its beyond me why the Dodgers would only sign this guy to a one-year deal.  They had to pay more to get a shorter deal, and a two-year deal worth $20M total seems like it would have been a better business decision.  It's nice to see the Dodgers open up their wallet books though, especially with the chaos that is ownership.

Kuroda To Come To America

Rotoworld has the goods, 32-year old starter Hiroki Kuroda opted out of his 3-year $8M deal in Japan to come to America. He had a 3.56 ERA this season with a thrilling 123/42 K/BB ratio. This was nothing compared to his 2006 season though, where Hiroki lead the league in ERA, sitting at a cool 1.85.

Known interestees include the Mariners and Cubs. Scouts believe that he does not have a good breaking ball to get outs with, and will rely on his 95-mph fastball too much. Hopefully he won't be another Kei Igawa.