Knowing they have three open spots in the rotation, the Yankees have offered a one-year deal to Hiroki Kuroda for more than the $15 million he made last year.
Kuroda’s big-league options were reduced to just the Yankees after the Dodgers signed veteran Dan Haren. His other alternative would be to return to Japan.
In mid-August last season, Kuroda owned a 2.33 ERA and appeared to be a Cy Young candidate. But in his last eight starts, he went a miserable 0-6 with a 6.56 ERA, and many believe fatigue played a big role in the righty’s finish.
However, the Yankees are desperate for starters beyond CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova. Whenever Masahiro Tanaka is posted by his Japanese team, the Yankees will be heavily involved in that process. Representatives from MLB and NPB met last week and have further meetings scheduled to discuss posting rules.
Kuroda, who turns 39 in February, went 11-13 with a 3.31 ERA in 32 starts, logging 201.1 innings. In his first year with the Yankees in 2012, he went 16-11 with a 3.32 ERA in 33 starts and 219.2 innings.