Thursday, November 28, 2013

Yankees "Upbeat" About A Kuroda Return In 2014


The New York Yankees are said to be more "upbeat" about the possibility of having Hiroki Kuroda return to the team for the 2014 season. At the beginning of the offseason there were concerns that Kuroda would return to Japan to finish out his career, retire, or head west to play with the Dodgers. The Dodgers signed Dan Haren so they seem like an unlikely fit for Kuroda and more and more speculation is flying around about him staying in the states with the Yankees.

Kuroda received and rejected a $14.1 million qualifying offer on a one year deal so you would have to expect him to receive more than that if a deal is struck. You would also have to think that a raise from the $15 million he made in 2013 would be in line as well. I love Kuroda and I think if we monitor his innings load a little bit by strengthening our bullpen I think we can eliminate the consecutive streak of late season fall outs. Also if we signed a Masahiro Tanaka then Kuroda could be more of a number three starter for us, assuming CC Sabathia comes back to Earth, then our ace.

I would not totally blow up the $189 million goal for him but if he came at a marginal raise from the 2013 season then sign me up for one more year of #HIRO.


14 comments:

  1. Kuroda is a good pitcher but he has been pushed into the star roll...which he was for much of the year...but he has never been the #1 pitcher in the states. This year we need him to feel more relaxed and find his comfort zone as you said #3 suits him fine, I think.
    If he can be regulated to the #3 starter and skip him a couple of times a year would benefit him and the Yanks. He is one of those "Full Effort" pitchers and needs less innings, after all, he is not 30 years old anymore.
    Adding Tanaka and Pineda along with Banuelos and maybe lefty Turley wouldn't hurt the options for spring training. I do wonder if Turley would be better as a BP lefty that can get anyone out.
    Just wondering!?!

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    1. Banuelos has not pitched much since coming off of tommy john surgery. He may be in spring training but he will not be a factor in my opinion. Turley is good but if memory serves he has not pitched above AA, which scares me.

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    2. True on both counts Daniel, in a way. Turley was in Scranton this year, but I don't remember his record off-hand.
      Banuelos has improved with his control, he has good stuff but, is he far enough removed from Tommy John.
      There are questions for most every Farm Hand, until they are under fire...they know not what they can do in the Show.

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  2. Ranger Ken....why is it, after so many years, that we are thinking like thoughts, at the
    same moments in time ? While Anne was preparing our corned beef & cabbage, my thoughts drifted
    towards Kuroda.
    Too many innings, all the while the staff was falling apart. I have always thought that he tried, bravely,
    to shoulder the work load. To carry the staff on his back.
    Up to that point, he was a top flight pitcher. It wore him down, and he struggled. His age, and
    the grind did him in. Simple as that.
    What's happening to Daniel ? He says he is now "cheesy". Actually cream cheese is a better term.
    He needs to hide that mouse.
    Going to work in my basement 'til cocktail hour. Playing 'Mumford & Sons' on the big speakers tonight.
    Talk Friday, unless we has breaking news.

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    Replies
    1. Well, that's an easy one Patrick, We are Irishmen after all...!
      Have a Happy Thanksgiving with your family and have a drink for me, while you are at it!
      The Boss is working today, so I'll put some old records of Dizzy Gillespie, Coltrane, Oscar Peterson on and let it go at that!
      Yes, they still have record players around, I like the original sounds without all the stuff they do to make a bad sound, sound good!

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    2. I love the holidays, I get into it lol. I usually have to turn in my man card right about now.

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  3. Kuroda would be welcomed back with open arms!

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    Replies
    1. Amen to that Bryan, with open arms. Just give the young guy a rest! LOL!

      Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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  4. Daniel...
    I have had a lot of fun commenting on your site, thanks for putting up with a very old man who sees things as black and white with no room for the gray!
    I am very thankful to have landed here, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family and welcome the new boss for us all!

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    Replies
    1. I appreciate you being here Ranger and I thoroughly enjoy speaking with you on a daily basis. Happy Thanksgiving my friend!

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  5. Twasp...
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, drop us a line every once in a while!

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    Replies
    1. And the same to you Mr. Wasp. I hope you and your family are doing well on this day, and everyday of course, and hope you are well.

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    2. Happy Thanksgiving to the great Old Ranger and the prolific Daniel Burch... with your continued insightful blogging I'm sure this site will take off.

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    3. Thomas, you doing well in your new endeavors, I hope!
      Don't be a stranger, drop in anytime, so says all of us!

      Delete

Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)