2012 MLB Free Agents: Yankees Sign Hiroki Kuroda
By Editorial Staff
Following word of the Yankees trade with the Seattle Mariners that sent Michael Pineda to New York, it was announced that the Bombers had also reached an agreement with veteran right-hander Hiroki Kuroda. The Yankees and Kuroda reportedly reached a one-year, $10 million contract agreement.
New York had been in on Kuroda for most of the offseason, but was unwilling to sign the 36-year-old unless his asking price dropped. It was reported yesterday that it had done just that, falling from its reported $13-14 million range to the $10 million the Yankees were ultimately able to sign Kuroda for.
Entering the offseason, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman made it clear that he was seeking dependable arms this winter to slot into his 2012 rotation. It was Cashman’s goal to avoid what he called the tightrope walk the Yankees faced with their pitchers during the 2011 campaign.
In Kuroda the Yankees have one of baseball’s most consistent starters over the past several years. After joining the Dodgers in 2008, Kuroda has made 31 or more starts with an ERA of 3.76 or better in three of his four years. Last season Kuroda maintained an ERA and WHIP of 3.07 and 1.213 over his career-high 32 starts and 202 innings pitched.
New York will now have a top three featuring C.C. Sabathia, Pineda and Kuroda. Beyond that, the Yankees will have serious competition for their final two rotation spots. In the mix will be A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes, Freddy Garcia and Ivan Nova.
For more on the Yankees, be sure to check out Yanks Go Yard.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.