Hiroki Kuroda and the Yankees finalized a one–year deal for $16 million Thursday night, according to The Post’s Joel Sherman.
Kuroda will earn $16 million and can add $250,000 for working 190 innings and another $250,000 for hurling 210 frames.
The $16 million represents a raise for the right-hander, who will be 39 on Feb. 10 and earned $15 million last season, his third with the Yankees.
With three holes in the rotation behind CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova when free agency started , the Yankees needed to retain Kuroda, even if he wilted this past season when manager Joe Girardi said the right-hander was asked to do too much.
“We pushed him harder than we wanted to,’’ Girardi said.
On Aug. 12 Kuroda was 11-7 and in the AL Cy Young conversation. Yet, he went 0-6 with a 6.60 ERA in his final eight starts and finished 11-13 with a 3.31 ERA.
Kuroda’s return doesn’t mean the Yankees are done searching for starters.
Initially, they were the favorites to land Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, but if a posting system with a $20 million cap is finalized more teams will be in the bidding process. Additionally, the Rakuten Golden Eagles, for whom Tanaka pitched the past seven seasons, have doubts about posting him because the money is likely to have a third of what it was under the old posting rules.
Japanese players aren’t eligible for free agency until after completing nine seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball.
David Robertson said he hasn’t paid much attention to the chatter about whether he will replace Mariano Rivera or the Yankees will acquire another closer.
“Whatever happens, happens. I don’t make those decisions,’’ Robertson said. “I just show up and try to put up zeroes and hope I get the job.’’
Utility infielder Kelly Johnson has finalized a one-year contract for close to $3 million. Johnson, a 31-year-old left-handed hitting utility player, has played first base, second base, third base and left field.
He batted .235 with 16 homers and 52 RBIs for the Rays in 118 games this past season.
With shortstop Brendan Ryan and Johnson signed, the Yankees are set with backup infielders.
The Yankees haven’t announced the hiring of Gary Tuck as Mike Harkey’s replacement as the bullpen coach but it’s a formality.
Tuck, a former Yankees’ bullpen coach and catching instructor, was Girardi’s bench coach with the Marlins. He was also the Red Sox bullpen coach after leaving Miami.
“I don’t have it done but more than likely Gary Tuck will be the bullpen coach,’’ general manager Brian Cashman said.
Tony Pena, the Yankees’ bench coach who worked with the catchers, has been told Tuck will take over that duty.
“Tony Pena has already been talked to by Joe [Girardi],’’ Cashman said.
Former Yankees outfielder Eric Hinske played a role in Brian McCann signing with the Yankees and then ended a one-month gig as a scout with the club. Hinske and McCann were teammates in Atlanta.
“I had Eric Hinske hired as a pro scout for about a month and now he is the first base coach of the Cubs,’’ Cashman said. “He was here. He was involved and helped me with Brian McCann and he is gone. I appreciate Eric Hinske giving Brian McCann a lot of good advice about his experience here as a Yankee and he was a great resource for about 30 days. We granted permission because it was a tremendous opportunity in Chicago.’’
The Yankees have added Trey Hillman to their staff. The former Yankees Triple-A manager, ex-Royals manager and Dodgers bench coach, will work in the pro scouting department and player development system.
Former Cubs manager Mike Quade has been hired to be the Yankees roving outfield and baserunning instructor.