New York Yankees reluctant to make a long-term commitment with starter Hiroki Kuroda – MLB Update
As a starter, Hiroki Kuroda did what he could do in the 2012 Major League Baseball season for the New York Yankees.
He went with 3.32 ERA along with 16-11 win-loss, 167 strike-outs and 1.17 WHIP.
However, this steady performance has not impressed the Yankees yet to re-sign him with a good long-term deal. They Yankees instead, insisting that the Japanese star should agree on a short term one-year contract to accommodate the franchise’s current financial load.
News is also coming that the Japanese starter has declined the initial offer by the Yankees which was reportedly a one-year contract.
“I’m not surprised whatsoever, I expected it,” Yankees' General Manager Brian Cashman said.
Cashman also added, “I’m excited about the opportunities we have, I like the fact that we can continue dialogue with everybody that we would like to and still be in a position to gain draft picks as a worst-case scenario, which would benefit our farm system as we move forward.”
Experts also believe that Yankees want to cut their next season’s salaries. Their salary-cap is already huge and if this culture continued, the Major League authorities might exercise their influence to stop the Yankees for their overspending.
Lately, the New York Mets have also indicated similar kinds of reservations in MLB’s recent general manager’s meeting.
General Manager Sandy Alderson said, “It’s not finite yet, and I’m not trying to be facetious, but I think there will be a little more flexibility, Where will it come from? I don’t know yet exactly to what extent we’ll have flexibility, but we’ll have a little bit.”
Meanwhile, in Kuroda’s case, the Yankees are also cautious and still making no quick action for his re-signing.
Kuroda has been in MLB since 2008 when the Los Angeles Dodgers signed him. In his very first year in the league, he performed beautifully and made his country proud. He joined the Dodgers from Hiroshima Toyo Carp and since then he is playing with huge energy. This makes him a very good free agent and many teams will love to sign him with a long hefty contract.
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