Hiroki Kuroda Rumors: Red Sox In, Yankees Out?
By Editorial Staff
Since free agent starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda said he’d be willing to sign with an East Coast club, rumors have tied the right-hander to the Red Sox and Yankees. Both Boston and New York are in need of rotation upgrades, and Kuroda has been one of baseball’s more consistent pitchers over the past several seasons. However, while it appears the Red Sox may still be interested in Kuroda, the Yankees may not be willing to pay the price it would take to acquire the former Dodgers starter.
Who would have ever thought baseball would present an offseason in which the Miami Marlins spend like crazy and the New York Yankees count pennies?
Alright, so the Yankees aren’t exactly counting pennies, but Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com is reporting that the Bombers may be scared off by Kuroda’s price tag.
The 36-year-old is seeking a new contract in the $12-13 million range. That doesn’t seem like too steep of a price to pay for a reliable arm. But when you factor in the additional cost of the luxury tax surcharge this price jumps to around $17 million.
Matthews says that it’s hard to believe, but his sources with the Yankees are telling him that the club simply doesn’t “have the money to pay” Kuroda.
The Yankees certainly have interest in Kuroda, as Matthews points out that they tried to acquire him last season. But unless his price tag drops, it doesn’t seem like New York will be able to afford the right-hander.
At this point, Matthews assumes that any interest the Yankees portray in Kuroda is simply a way of driving up the price for the Red Sox.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.