2012 Hiroki Kuroda performance thread

[hellonewman]

Yesterday's "other" acquisition deserves a thread too.

[ajra21]

a good acquisition. when you add in luxury tax, he'll cost us around $13-14m this year i believe. but it's a one year deal. for need he needs to be the #2 (if you believe in such thinks).

[justtxyank]

I expect him to be on par with what Pettitte was his last run with us.

[Yankees13]

I expect him to be on par with what Pettitte was his last run with us.

Pettitte's numbers from his second stint with the Yankees are strikingly similar to Kuroda's career numbers, except for Pettitte's walks being higher.

[ThePinStripes]

"The additions of Pineda and Kuroda have given the Yankees a strikingly deep rotation with six legitimate starters and Burnett."


http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/stor...da-sources-say

[1936-1939JoeNLou]

What's the scouting report on Kuroda?

[THEBOSS84]

I've never seen Kuroda pitch before, but I'm very familiar with his stats.

[Yankeesfan924]

For what it's worth, a friend of mine who is a big Dodgers fan is very upset Kuroda won't be returning.

[Mr.Muhozi]

I'm worried about the 24 home runs he gave up last season in the NL West and how the at transfer in our division. But statistically he's a strong pitcher and whilst he may not be the Japanese right handed I wanted this season I'll be rooting for him to do well and he's a perfect stop gap for Man-Ban and Betances.

[snapple]

Watched some highlights. Man, that ball just pops out of his hand. Love his delivery.

[hellonewman]

What's the scouting report on Kuroda?

Control pitcher, fastball-slider-splitter. FB 89-92. Like most Japanese pitchers, has a hesitation hitch in his delivery as a timing device. Generally known as a GB pitcher though HRs allowed spiked a little last year even as his ERA improved. (Too lazy to dig into it but I've heard his peripherals declined last year even as his ERA improved. Anybody?)

Unusual Japanese import starter in that he hasn't burned out after 2 years or so. Age a possible concern (37 this year). Not a potential ace or anything close to it, should be a solid mid-rotation guy in 2012 though.

[sweet_lou_14]

OK, he officially passes the personality test.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuAzvX2TmBA

[pleasepassthesoup]

Control pitcher, fastball-slider-splitter. FB 89-92. Like most Japanese pitchers, has a hesitation hitch in his delivery as a timing device. Generally known as a GB pitcher though HRs allowed spiked a little last year even as his ERA improved. (Too lazy to dig into it but I've heard his peripherals declined last year even as his ERA improved. Anybody?)

Unusual Japanese import starter in that he hasn't burned out after 2 years or so. Age a possible concern (37 this year). Not a potential ace or anything close to it, should be a solid mid-rotation guy in 2012 though.

His average fastball is 92.3 for his career and was 92.1 last year, so I would say his range is more 91-93.

As far as peripherals: k's and walks were pretty close to identical to his 2010 numbers and much better than the first two years of his career. He gave up more fly balls than usual and had worse luck on homers.

[SatchelPaigeYankee]

OK, he officially passes the personality test.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuAzvX2TmBA

"They don't like me, but I like them"

[awy]

he just has to hold down the weaker hitting lineups to be a worthwhile commitment. nobody is expecting him to dominate the likes of the red sox etc, but the regular season is about logging a lot of innings and quality starts.

[Yankee_Samurai]

Nikkan sports is reporting the Kuroda was offered a two-year 22m deal by the Yankees but the offer was declined by Kuroda as he only wanted a one-year deal .
The report also mentions that the one-year deal is worth 16m which must be an error .

http://www.nikkansports.com/baseball...16-890171.html

[awy]

that's extremely interesting to see. it shows that teh yankees still enjoy a great deal of good will among japanese players and has a good reputation as the place to be

http://www.nikkansports.com/baseball...14-889385.html

i couldn't understand a word of this but it says 11m contract?

[Yankee_Samurai]

http://www.nikkansports.com/baseball...14-889385.html

i couldn't understand a word of this but it says 11m contract?

That Nikkan article is from Jan 14 . Nikkan posted an article the next day which says 1.2 billion yen (16m) .
http://www.nikkansports.com/baseball...15-889757.html
I'll stick with the 10/11m figure that the US papers are saying .

BTW I hate online web page translators .

[kan_t]

I really hope he can get as many wins as possible so he can get into Meikyukai.

[grizy]

Nikkan sports is reporting the Kuroda was offered a two-year 22m deal by the Yankees but the offer was declined by Kuroda as he only wanted a one-year deal .
The report also mentions that the one-year deal is worth 16m which must be an error .

http://www.nikkansports.com/baseball...16-890171.html

16 hundred million yen.

Article says he's coming here to play higher level baseball.

He turned down 22/2 in case he doesn't like new environment, where entire world will be watching.

Basically CC Jr. Situation except he didn't make us give him a player option

[StaleMilk]

This is a great signing, has really good stuff.

Find it hard to believe the Yankees wanted him for 2 years instead of 1 though.

[False1]

This is a great singing, has really good stuff.

Find it hard to believe the Yankees wanted him for 2 years instead of 1 though.

Reportedly. Emphasis in the prior sentence on the word "reportedly." And I know nothing about that source, but I don't see them attributing that "report" to Kuroda or anyone else with firsthand knowledge.

[H.Kokubo]

http://www.nikkansports.com/baseball...14-889385.html

10 minutes rough draft quality quick translation of the whole article:

It has been revealed that Hiroki Kuroda (36) has agreed on an one-year deal with the Yankees. It is said to be a 11million dollar (approx 830million yen) contract. Last season, on his 4th year in the MLB, Kuroda pitched in 32 games 202IP 13-16 3.07ERA, all career highs. However his 12million dollar contract was too expensive for the money strapped Dodgers.

Kuroda also had offers from the Red Sox, Rockies, Dbacks as well. Kuroda, aiming for the biggest challenge, chose the 27 times world champions Yankees. He is hoped to be a part of the starting rotation following ace lefty Sabathia.

Kuroda's 4 year stats: 115 games 41-46 3.45ERA.

Nothing new. The 2 year deal stuff and the 16 million stuff seems like rumors that were brought up prior to this article that has since been shot down.

[snapple]

Again, this guy is going to be an amazing addition to the rotation. He'll pitch well enough to win games with our O. And that's what we need from him. Pitch well enough to win games.

[wexy]

It's a great pickup.