Well, that might be going a bit far but the the Mariners did send a contingent of general manager Bill Bavasi, manager John McLaren, and an interpreter to Japan this week to meet with Kuroda Hiroki and try to persuade the pitcher him to sign with Seattle.
It’s a huge overture and I’d be very surprised if Kuroda didn’t end up a Mariner. Unless he pulls a real shocker and stays in Japan.
Kuroda to Seattle has been the rumor from the beginning, but about half the league has expressed interest in him since. He’s said he’d like to go to a west coast team, and the chance to play with Ichiro and have a Japanese battery-mate in Johjima would seem to loom large. He’d probably be the No. 4 starter behind King Felix, Jarrod Washburn, and Miguel Batista.
I did read on Dugout Central that the Diamondbacks supposedly offered Kuroda $27 million for three years, but I have not idea how substantial that rumor is. That would seem to be a tad on the low side for what Kurodadites are whispering these days. I’d estimate his final price will be about double the $5-6 million people were suggesting a month ago.
It’s not as though Kuroda is without risk, especially as the price tag soars, but moving from the bandbox in Hiroshima to Safeco Field, while is guarantees nothing, would seem to be an indicator of success.
2 responses so far ↓
1 John Brooks // Nov 23, 2007 at 2:35 pm
For what its worth, Kuroda says he prefers to play on the West Coast, so that leave the Mariners, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks. Though with the big effort the Mariners are making, I can’t see Kuroda not pitching in Saefco Field next year, unless he stays in Japan, which I don’t see happening either as Hiroshima doesn’t look all too good for 2008.
2 P // Nov 24, 2007 at 12:18 am
I really don’t see what the big fuss is about this guy. The only thing he seems to have going for him is the fact that he played in a small park. It’s interesting, but it’s not $12 mil interesting. I’d much rather spend the money on Carlos Silva, who, while not great, you know will be around or under 4.00 ERA, won’t walk guys….this guy throws in the low 90s! I think teams are just excited to sign the next potential unknown.
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