Buzz: 4-yrs, $45 M for Kuroda
In a report from Yahoo! Japan, Japanese free-agent RHP Hiroki Kuroda met with the Mariners this past weekend, and is believed to be seeking a 
four-year, $45 million contract.
…thanks to MLB Trade Rumors for the link, and translation…
Mark Hale, in the New York Post, recently wrote that the Mets have had interest in Kuroda.
The following day in Newsday, David Lennon noted that the Mets had been scouting Kuroda, while playing in the Asia Series in Japan.
Recently at Prospect Insider, Jason A. Churchill offered up a very detailed and complete scouting report on the 32–year-old Kuroda, writing…
“Kuroda is the class of the three free agents and will get the most interest but he profiles as a No. 3 at best…He’s slow to the plate but has a relatively compact and clean delivery that gives his fastball some late life…Considering the domestic market, Kuroda, even at 33 years old, could command a contract in the $9-11 million range, for at least three years.”
At Mike Pagliarulo’s Dugout Central, Will Hoover projects that Kuroda would likely have a mid-5.00 ERA, through 160 or so innings, during roughly 30 starts for a major-league team.
With regards to potentially switching and pitching from relief for the Red Sox, Hoover says, “They already have similar production at a cheaper price in the form of Julian Tavarez.”
