New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Saturday that he has not spoken to free agent starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, beyond offering him a qualifying offer, reports Daniel Barbarisi of the Wall Street Journal.
Hiroki Kuroda free agency: Yankees have not had discussions with pitcher
Kuroda would like to finish his career in Japan. Whether he will take that opportunity this offseason remains to be seen.
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Kuroda has until Monday to accept or decline the qualifying offer, which would pay him $14.1 million for one year. It’s possible that Kuroda, 38, will seek a one-year deal even if he turns down the offer. He has also talked openly about wanting to return to Japan to finish his career and it’s possible he could go back there this offseason. So far, he has not given any indication as to which way he is leaning.
Talks between the two sides will likely begin if Kuroda turns down the qualifying offer. The Yankees are low on quality starting pitching and would love to have Kuroda, who was their best pitcher in 2013, back in uniform for next season. New York is also expected to make a big attempt to sign fellow Japanese starter Masahiro Tanaka.
Kuroda has been with the Yankees for two seasons after spending his first four in the MLB with the Dodgers. He has signed a one-year deal each of the last three years, earning $15 million in 2013. He made 32 starts this past season, posting a 3.31 ERA and 1.16 WHIP.
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