2012 MLB Free Agents: Diamondbacks Interested in Joe Saunders, Hiroki Kuroda
By Editorial Staff
Even after adding Trevor Cahill in a recent trade, the Arizona Diamondbacks are still looking to add pitching this winter. Arizona continues to express interest in recently non-tendered starter Joe Saunders. Ken Rosenthol of Fox Sports reports that the Diamondbacks also have interest in free agent Hiroki Kuroda.
The Diamondbacks are prepared to enter the 2012 season with a starting rotation that includes four young and talented pitchers; Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Trevor Cahill and Josh Collmenter.
With that much determined, Arizona appears to be seeking a veteran hurler to add to their staff.
Saunders would be an ideal fit, but he is expected to cost close to $9 million in 2012. While Saunders had a solid season last year, Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers wasn’t willing to pay this steep of a price for a middle-of-the-rotation guy.
Kuroda is another free agent that fits the mold of reliable veteran pitcher. The 36-year-old was expected to re-sign with the Dodgers this offseason, but Los Angeles decided to go in a different direction. Now, Kuroda has said that he is willing to keep his options open, even hinting that he’d consider returning to pitch in Japan. One of the more consistent pitchers in baseball over the past several seasons, Kuroda would be right at home in the National League West pitching for the Diamondbacks.
Along with the Diamondbacks, the Reds, Red Sox and Rockies have all been tied to Saunders since his non-tendering. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks seem to be competing with the Cubs, Rockies and Yankees for Kuroda’s services.
For more on the Diamondbacks, be sure to check out Venom Strikes.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.