After failing to acquire Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda during last year's MLB Trade Deadline, the Boston Red Sox appear to be interested in the now free agent Japanese right hander.
According to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, the Sox have interest in signing the 36-year old Kuroda to help bulk up their pitching rotation. Bradford sites that the Yankees, Marlins, Rockies, Rangers, and Sox are among the teams that could potentially sign him.
With the Dodgers signing Chris Capuano to a two-year contract a few days ago, Kuroda is all but out of the Dodgers' 2012 plans. With L.A. out of the picture, Kuroda has reportedly changed his stance about playing on the East Coast and would not mind playing in Boston next season. A source close to Bradford did say that the Red Sox would have to make financial room if they were to make a play for Kuroda.
According to one source, while the Red Sox have interest in Kuroda any legitimate attempt at signing the hurler would be contingent on the organization gaining budgetary flexibility through other offseason moves. Kuroda won't demand the kind of contract free agent pitcher C.J. Wilson (or even Mark Buehrle) might land, but his productivity and reliability throughout four major league seasons will surely lead to a multi-year deal. (via WEEI)
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