Hiroki Kuroda, Welcome to New York
by Travis G on Jan 17, 2012 11:00 AM EST
in New York Yankees Analysis
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PrintThe signing of RHP Hiroki Kuroda - for one year and $10 million - got a bit lost in the shuffle of the trade with the Mariners that went down last week, so I'll try to catch you up on the Yankees' latest free agent acquisition.
Before joining the Dodgers, Kuroda spent a decade in Japan where he was usually a good, but rarely a great, pitcher. He's one of the few NPB (Nippon Pro Baseball) imports to actually have a better ERA in the big leagues (3.45) than in Japan (3.69).* Kuroda has, in fact, aged like wine. He's coming off his best ML season when he was 36 years old: 202 IP, 3.07 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 3.3 K/BB, 121 ERA+, 3.7 bWAR (CC and D-Rob were the only Yanks with more WAR).
He's been a very dependable and solid starter for both LA and the Hiroshima Carp. He hasn't posted an ERA higher than 3.76 (in either pro league) since 2004, and has pitched at least 179 innings in all but one season since then. (He actually hasn't been quite as durable as I thought before looking up the numbers, as in he's only reached 200 innings once in his ML career and has hit the DL thrice.)
Kuroda's fared significantly better against same-handed batters, holding them to a .636 career OPS (and 4.4 K/BB), while LHB have OPS'ed .713 against him (with 2.3 K/BB).
There are some red flags though, namely that he's benefited from pitching half his games at spacious Dodger Stadium, which deflated offense by 6% last year (by comparison, Yankee Stadium inflated offense 13%). Also, in 2011, he had career worsts in groundball, HR, left on base and line drive rates.
Despite benefiting from Chavez Ravine, his road numbers are nearly identical to those at home (and before you claim that he gets help from San Francisco and San Diego, he also has to pitch in Arizona and Colorado). And, surprisingly, he's pitched better against .500+ teams.
Scouting Report: Kuroda is mostly a fastball-slider guy, throwing one of those pitches more than 85% of the time during his career. Recently, though, he's featured a two-seamer as his main offering. He sits in the low 90s with his fastball and in the mid 80s with his slider. In 2011, he threw a variety of fastballs: four-seamers, two-seamers and splitters; and he'll even toss a curveball now and then.
He certainly won't have as easy a time in New York as he did in LA, but he should be a solid back of the rotation starter that will give the Yankees quality innings. And the best part about a one-year deal? If he sucks, there are no long-term issues.
* Perhaps due to pitching in a hitter's park over there.
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are we better served
to have Kuroda set to start the season as the number 2, and take a little pressure off of Pineda. He is already getting thrown into the fire
Pineda
won’t be the so-called “2”. Kuroda and Nova will get that billing before Pineda and even AJ might if he’s still in the rotation.
Romine!
then that label maker I got for Christmas was a terrible gift
by long time listener on Jan 17, 2012 11:58 AM EST up reply actions
No one knows who will be #2
That will be sorted out in spring training. Neither Kuroda or Pineda are so established that they automatically deserve the #2 spot.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh, yes he will
If they’re already talking about him being another “ace” then Pineda will most assuredly be seen as the #2 starter for the Yankees, no matter how Spring Training goes. It is stupid and pointless? Yes.
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 17, 2012 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
Doesn't matter who the #2 is
The #1 is the starting pitcher on that particular day. They take turns.
This stuff matters during the playoffs. Not opening day.
I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
I now see this was already addressed
My bad.
I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
Polish
Kuroda is a lot more polished than Pineda. I’m going to bet Kuroda goes ahead of Pineda, just to have a veteran there. A promotion to the AL East will be tough, but I think Kuroda can handle it better than most if his velocity holds. (92-94)
He’s a very good pitcher if you get 2011 Kuroda.
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 17, 2012 12:30 PM EST reply actions
I thought he was Japanese
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Jan 17, 2012 5:05 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Love how this is the perfect foil to the monster trade.
Veteran starter, we know what we are getting here. None of the upside Pineda comes with, but a solid stabilising presence with minimal risk beyond the 10 mil and associated luxury tax.
by ArunK on Jan 17, 2012 12:51 PM EST via Android app reply actions
Hideki Matsui
He’s very much a Hideki Matsui type guy on the mound. Hyper professional, knows what works for him and is good at what he does.
Most arguments are really about context.
by SheaWasBettor21 on Jan 17, 2012 1:04 PM EST up reply actions
He has a nasty splitter
MLB Network did a breakdown of it and it literally drops right off the table.
i like the signing
since it’s only 1 year. i hope he translates well to the AL East
I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee fan.
well done sir
I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee fan.
by NJsandman on Jan 18, 2012 2:21 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Kurode should do well here.
He is a vet, and knows how to win at the big league level. He is a great complement to a relatively young rotation.
I'm willing to bet that Kuroda doesn't remind anyone of the Vazquez signing.
If he pitches to an ERA in the upper 3s, he will win at 15 games for the Yankees. The flip side of not having potential homeruns hit off you die on the Cahvez Ravine warning track is that the Yankees will have at least 6 players capable of hitting it out in the lineup every day to support you.
This signing is only for a year- if he turns out to be Vazquez after all, it doesn’t kill you to DFA him. My guess, and it’s no more than that, is that Kuroda slots in #4, after Sabathia, Burnett, and Pineda, ahead of Nova. But if he were the #2 starter, I wouldn’t be shocked either.
by designatedquitter on Jan 17, 2012 2:01 PM EST reply actions
Labels are pointless and ever changing, yes, but if Burnett is in the rotation and anything but #5, something has gone terribly wrong.
Jesus Montero fangirl
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 17, 2012 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
No, it just means he starts the second game of the year
It’s a label like you said. It really makes little to no difference. Hell, AJ could start opening day and CC could start the fifth game of the year for all I care. So long as CC is the #1 come playoff time.
I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
And it would be stupid for him to start the 2nd game of the year.
Jesus Montero fangirl
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 17, 2012 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
Why?
Why does it make any difference at all?
I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
Batting order doesn’t make a ton of difference either, but we’re not batting Brett Gardner clean up.
Jesus Montero fangirl
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 17, 2012 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm not advocating starting AJ in the second game of the year
But it would make absolutely no difference whether he does or doesn’t. The five guys in the rotation take turns, they all get similar amounts of starts, and they all will pitch their fair share of games against bad offenses, great offenses, rivalry games, etc…
In the playoffs, it matters. But it doesn’t make a difference how they start it on opening day. I’d just do it in whatever the order is because it’s traditional, but it makes no difference. I don’t see how it’s “stupid”.
I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
Because frankly AJ shouldn’t be pitching for this team at all, much less pitching higher in the order, whether or not it impacts anything, than people who are much better than him. The 5th starter spot get skipped when the opportunity presents itself and if we have to put up with AJ at all, I’d rather he be the one getting skipped than anyone else. Therefore, putting him in any position BUT that position is stupid.
Jesus Montero fangirl
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 17, 2012 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
A..J. for opening day! C’mon, it rhymes!
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter
by Brandon C. on Jan 17, 2012 7:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm calling him Mechagodzilla!
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 17, 2012 2:10 PM EST reply actions
just don't call him late for dinner
by long time listener on Jan 17, 2012 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
I won't call him Shirley either
"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"
by I'mGivingYouARaise on Jan 17, 2012 2:44 PM EST up reply actions
a bit confused?
Signing Kuroda makes no sense to me? He’s 37 with a fair amount of miles on him and there’s more than one NL pitcher that came over to NY and couldn’t handle spot-light, AL East or the DH. Actually, hasn’t it been all the NL pitchers that came to NY and underperformed? Yeah he makes the starting five and maybe the starting four in October…but I thought the Yanks were trying to avoid luxury tax? One spot for Garcia/Hughes/AJ and those guys on the farm that know their opportunity just got pushed back a little further? Oh Well…I’ve got tix to a bunch of Scranton/Rochester Yankees games this year…that team is gonna have one helluva staff (Warren/Phelps/Betances/Banuelos).
he's been a consistent performer
If Kuroda repeats his performance from last year, even factoring in the change in park and the change in leagues, he’ll still be a solid No. 4-type. It’s possible that he’ll fall off a cliff (figuratively, though I guess also literally too), but it’s a pretty good bet that he’ll be that solid No. 4 – and if he isn’t, it only cost us money and he’ll be gone after this year.
by long time listener on Jan 17, 2012 2:46 PM EST up reply actions
On paper yes
A very solid #3, #4. Good, consistent, the kind of pitcher that should win a lot of games with the top scoring offense and fabulous bullpen. But off the top of my head, Yanks brought in 6 successful professional pitchers over the last decade plus who had never pitched in the AL…Chacon, Vazquez, Pavano, Irabu, Igawa, and Contreras. One for six.
by steelerwheeler on Jan 18, 2012 10:33 AM EST up reply actions
Irabu was acquired in 1997, you’re dating yourself and he can’t be included in any “past ten years” list. He hasn’t even been on the team since ’99.
Also it’s unfair to compare the NL to Japanese & Cuban leagues. Let’s be real, they have a lot more talent than that. Igawa & Contreras had succeeded abroad, not in MLB.
Chacon was a desperation trade because their 2005 staff was decimated at the time. Doesn’t belong with the others.
"Don't you think it's strange that you'll make more money than President Hoover this year?"
"Why not? I had a better year than he did." - G.H. Ruth
I liked Shawn Chacon a lot
I saw him beat the O’s at the end of the 2005 season.
by MichaelGGBGrabow on Jan 19, 2012 12:04 PM EST up reply actions
They are trying to get payroll under 189 million by 2014, thus avoiding the luxury tax. Kuroda is only signed to a one year deal, so he does nothing to keep them from that.
Jesus Montero fangirl
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 17, 2012 2:46 PM EST up reply actions
It happened after the Pineda trade
I wouldn’t have done it because it kind of seems pointless and it’s going to force them to either spend a lot to move AJ, put Garcia in the pen where he shouldn’t be pitching, or send Nova to the minor leagues. I don’t really like any of those options. I’d have been fine With CC-Pineda-Nova-Burnett-Garcia to open the season.
But, Kuroda’s a good pitcher and you can never have too much SP depth, so I like the signing. It’s only for this one year.
I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
I'm Ron Burgundy?
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
by Rorschach44 on Jan 19, 2012 10:59 AM EST up reply actions
Random question but...
Does anyone know when the new MLB The Show or MLB 2k12 comes out?
Jersey Strong, Brooklyn Ready
March 6th
I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
Which game should I get until the new Show comes out?
MLB 2K11 or MLB 11: The Show? I want to play online too, so which one would you guys reccomend? And do both games do roster updates?
Jersey Strong, Brooklyn Ready
by BrooklynNets8 on Jan 17, 2012 4:38 PM EST up reply actions
MLB 2012 the Show
Better graphics, gameplay, franchise mode, online leagues, custom rosters, etc.
BSME
Not really worth it with only a month and a half left before the new one
But if you were going to get one, the Show is by far the better game.
I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot.- Kobe Bryant
A.J. Burnett's only fan!
its already out
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
by Rorschach44 on Jan 19, 2012 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
He’s going to surprise the people that think he’s a back of the rotation starter.
Yes, that is Mike Marra.
by TheRealSlimShady on Jan 17, 2012 6:17 PM EST reply actions
Is he going to sneak out from behind a sofa and yell it out?
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter
by Brandon C. on Jan 17, 2012 7:05 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
you trying to say he likes it from the back?
how do yu know this?
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
by Rorschach44 on Jan 19, 2012 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
Long story
Yes, that is Mike Marra.
by TheRealSlimShady on Jan 19, 2012 5:59 PM EST up reply actions
IDK
Like I keep saying, I doubt A.J. will be around come opening day. There’s one more move left to be made.
CC
Kuroda
Garcia
Nova
Pineda
Hughes (has better pen experience and likely will bounce back he’s been looking good all winter in workouts. So barring anything unexpected I predict now Hughes reclaims the number 2 spot.)
Garcia and Kuroda are basically insurance. So key is going to be Nova and Pineda along with a healthy CC
And with The Four in the wings Phelps, Warren, Banelous and Betances
AJ Burnett is the most expendable man alive. Didn’t see Montero and Noesi being traded but the result is just that Burnett becomes more expendable every passing day and the season hasn’t even started. And I can see him traded for a utility man and cash. Some peanuts no extra charge. Either way I see one more trade being made. We’re not carrying 7 starters North.
by bleedsyankeeblue on Jan 18, 2012 5:05 AM EST reply actions
Javier Vazquez all over again?
I hope he doesn’t pull a Javier Vasquez and play bad for the Yanks after coming off a good season in the NL. At least it’s just a one-year deal, so worst case scenario he will be gone after one bad season and it won’t be like the whole Carl Pavano drama. I hope he pitchers well. The Yankees could use stability in their rotation.
Kuroda: (Age 36 this year)
GS: 32, IP: 202, H: 196, ER: 69, HR: 24, BB: 49, K: 169, ERA: 3.07
Vazquez: (Age 33 when traded to the Yankees)
GS: 32, IP: 219, H: 181, ER: 70, HR: 20, BB: 44, K: 238, ERA: 2.87
by piratekingmatthew on Jan 18, 2012 9:37 AM EST reply actions
Unless he develops a dead arm, he won’t be like Javier Vazquez.
Jesus Montero fangirl
by WhatwouldJeterdo on Jan 18, 2012 2:00 PM EST up reply actions
racist.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
by Rorschach44 on Jan 19, 2012 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
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