WILL HIROKI KURODA BE BACK IN PINSTRIPES?

Coming over from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Hiroki Kuroda’s signing created a mixed bag of reactions. Some people, like me, loved the signing, while others did not. There were a number of reasons why the signing may have caused negative reactions mostly because of his poor win-loss record, pitching in the pitcher-friendly National League West, and that he is 37 years old. But time and time again Kuroda proved the doubters wrong, and because of that, the Yankees should be looking into re-signing the right-hander this winter.

Kuroda was arguably the most consistent starter for the Yankees this past season, and here’s his 2012 regular season line to prove it:

16-11, 33 starts, 219.2 IP, 3.32 ERA, 126 ERA+, 6.8 K/9, 2.1 BB/9, 1 HR/9

Not too shabby for a 37 year old pitching in the American League East for the first time. You can argue that Kuroda’s 2012 was the best year in his big league career. His ERA went up by 0.25 runs compared to 2011, but when you factor in the ballparks and league he pitched in, which ERA+ does, you can say he was better in 2012 than he was in 2011. But Kuroda didn’t just pitch well in the regular season, he pitched well in the postseason, as he posted a 2.81 ERA and 0.68 WHIP in two starts against the Orioles and Tigers. That start against Detroit in the ALCS was on three days’ rest when he allowed three runs in 7.2 IP (It should have been one run in 8 innings if it weren’t for poor umpiring).

There are many variables that come into play in regards to a new contract for Kuroda. First, does he even want to pitch beyond 2012? For all we know, he may have just wanted to pitch one year and decide to call it quits. Maybe he wants a World Series ring so badly that he’ll stick around as long as he possibly can to get one.

Another question is, how many years will he command on the open market? I would think no more than two, but after the year he had in 2012, I would be sort of surprised if he got just a one-year deal. Next, how much money will he receive? He earned $10M in 2012, so it wouldn’t be out of the question if he got a raise. Add it all up; we could be looking at a two-year, $22-24M contract for Hiroki. Now, a second year would affect the 2014 $189M payroll plan, like it or not. Is he worth that second year?

Personally, I think it’s a no-brainer to bring him back on a one-year deal, and maybe that’s all he wants, but I’m slightly worried about bringing him back on an additional year. He threw a career-high 235.2 innings (postseason included) this year while throwing at least 196 innings the previous two seasons, which could have a lingering effect going forward. But with the questions in the Yankee rotation, you may have to risk it and sign him to a two-year contract, even if there are consequences in that second, or even first, year.




--Jesse Schindler, BYB Lead Staff Writer
Follow me on Twitter @SchindlerJesse



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