The Yankees have re-signed starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda to a one year, $15 million deal. Earlier today, it was reported that Kuroda was likely to either return to the Bronx for 2013, or head back to Japan.
2012 was Kuroda's first with the Yankees, and he turned in another season that has been typical of his career since coming to America for the 2008 season. In 33 starts and a career-best 219 2/3 innings, Kuroda posted a 3.32 ERA and had a 3.27 strikeout to walk ratio, right in line with his career rate of 3.22.
But Kuroda will be 38-years old in 2013, and there's always a chance that his health could completely fall apart. With just a one year deal, the Yankees aren't hamstringing themselves for the future. But $15 million (plus incentives) is a nice chunk of change for a guy who will pretty much top out as a four win guy. Of course, the Yankees can afford that, and somewhere in the $15 million area seems to be the going rate for a four win post-arb starter nowadays, so I can't get upset about the Yankees throwing money at Kuroda.
