2012 MLB Free Agents: Hiroki Kuroda Keeping Options Open
By Editorial Staff
Following the Dodgers signing of Chris Capuano, the future of starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda became questionable. Entering the offseason, many figured Kuroda would return to Los Angeles for at least 2012. Now, after the Dodgers looked elsewhere to fill their final rotation spot, Ken Rosenthol reports that Kuroda is keeping his options “wide open”.
LA’s decision to bring in Capuano over Kuroda had more to do with the money involved then it did with ability. The Dodgers were able to buy two years of Capuano for less than one year of Kuroda would have cost them.
Now that the Dodgers have their projected starting five in place, they remove their name from the top of Kuroda’s list of suitors. The question now becomes if and where Kuroda will pitch in the major leagues next year.
Originally, it was believed that Kuroda would only pitch on the West Coast, and preferably, only for the Dodgers in 2012. Kuroda also received an offer to return to Japan, as his former club, the Hiroshima Carp, extended him contract.
Kuroda proved to be a very consistent major league pitcher during his time with the Dodgers. Over his four seasons in LA, Kuroda maintained an ERA 3.45 and made at least 20 starts every year. The right-hander started 31 or more games three times for the Dodgers.
Though he’s 37-years-old, Kuroda is coming off one of his best seasons. His ERA (3.07), starts (32) and innings pitched (202) were career bests.
For this reason, Kuroda figures to receive significant interest this winter. The Rockies are “quietly pursuing” Kuroda, and Rosenthol notes that the Red Sox, Tigers and Diamondbacks have been interested in the veteran in the past.
What’s TBD is not so much the interest that teams have in Kuroda, but the interest Kuroda has in other teams.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.