Monday, July 25, 2011

Kuroda: Open To Heading (Far) East

Try to hold the vomit back down your esophagus, as you consider that Dodger Hiroki Kuroda might be making his next start for one of those rarely-mentioned-by-the-press teams in the AL East:

NEW YORK -- Los Angeles Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda will consider waiving his no-trade clause if he were traded to the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox, according to a baseball official with knowledge of the situation.

There is a common perception that Kuroda only wants to remain in Los Angeles, but the official said that is a "myth" and Kuroda will consider his options, if dealt.

The Yankees showed interest in Kuroda this offseason. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman never could offer Kuroda a contract because he was waiting on Cliff Lee to make his decision. By the time Lee signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, Kuroda was off the market. Kuroda, 36, leads the National League in losses, but his record is deceptive. He is 6-12. His ERA is 3.19.

I know, this story was inevitable; why wouldn't either of those two teams want Kuroda (and everyone else for that matter)? Sigh.

UPDATE 4:05p: MLB Trade Rumors says that the Tigers, Indians, Brewers, Rangers, and Cardinals are also in the mix for Kuroda. Man, this is really weird, seeing the Dodgers as trade deadline sellers rather than buyers. But I guess it's better than seeing us pick up five more Juan Riveras this week.

12 comments:

Jason said...

Here's hoping that Kuroda's compensation for waiving his no-trade clause is the insertion of an additional clause barring his new team from offering him arbitration after this season. That would at least leave open the possibility of him returning to LA next year without having to give up a draft pick.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Current Elias rankings have him as Type B, so no worries there, Jason.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Still, that's not going to keep half of the fanbase from going nuts like they did when Ned signed Urine.

"THEY GAVE A DRAFT PICK TO THE GIANTS, THEY GAVE A DRAFT PICK TO THE GIANTS, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THEM?"

Nostradamus said...

As much as I love Kuroda, I wouldn't begrudge him a chance to win.

That said, fuck the Yankees.

Nostradamus said...

@MLASC

You're being generous. Way more than half of our fanbase is already nuts.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Hopefully the Sox and Yankees fight over him and the winner ends up massively overpaying.

Fred's Brim said...

For real - lets bend somebody over for a change

Fred's Brim said...

Hideki Irabu and Kei Igawa have set the "Japanese Yankee Pitcher" bar pretty high. If he goes there, I hope doesn't buckle under the pressure meet those expectations

spank said...

Sayonara,Hiro!!!

Fred's Brim said...

And it looks like Eric Stults is available again if we are looking to fill Hiro's roster spot

Somewhere, Joe Torre just spit-took his Bigelow green tea

Steve Sax said...

updated post: five other teams in the mix for Kuroda

Jason said...

I wouldn't be surprised if McCourt has inquired about selling Hiro back to the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and pocketing the cash.