D-Backs make offer to Japanese Star

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From azCentral:

The Diamondbacks have extended an offer to right-hander Hiroki Kuroda and are waiting to hear back from the Japanese free agent.

General Manager Josh Byrnes would not divulge details of the offer, but Kuroda could command a deal worth up to $10 million a year for at least three years.

The Diamondbacks made the offer about 10 days ago, Byrnes said.

"It's a slow process, he said. "He's still sifting through it and decidind the priority order of things - what clubs he might want to visit and what clubs be might want to cross off the list."

The Seattle Marininers who have long had a presence in Japan, seem to be viewed as the front-runners. A Seattle contingent led by General Manager Bill Bavasi and manager John McLaren traveled to Japan last week to meet with Kuroda.

Kuroda, 32, who is said to have a mid-90s fastball, would plug a hole in the Diamondbacks' starting rotation. He won 40 games and averaged more than seven innings per start over the past three seasons with Hiroshima or Japan's Central League.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/1126dbacks1127.html

Interesting, but I don't see us getting him. This seems like we just threw our hat in incase he might be interested. I can't see us even making a competative offer. Seattle does a great job of recruiting from Japan and has a much larger Asian fan base. Too bad, we could use another good starter, he'd bring some more interest to this team as well!

 

[HooverDam]

Meh, I'd rather not spend $10 million/year for a 32 year old who's never pitched in the MLB.

 

[Zeno]

Meh, I'd rather not spend $10 million/year for a 32 year old who's never pitched in the MLB.

His numbers in Japan, while good, aren't really overwhelming and who knows how that would translate to MLB. I say pass.

 

[mjb21aztd]

Well if we get him I guess thats ok we do need some help in the pitching department, but I wouldn't mind seeing us maybe spending the money to get decent power bat in the lineup because we need help in that area also.

 

[HooverDam]

Well if we get him I guess thats ok we do need some help in the pitching department, but I wouldn't mind seeing us maybe spending the money to get decent power bat in the lineup because we need help in that area also.

I think that the organizations believes (and I agree) that will probably come from internal growth. Reynolds, Upton and Young can all hit over 25 HRs a year, they'll make for a formidable middle of the lineup at some point I imagine.