Mariners Losing Ground In Kuroda Hunt?

by Eli Greenspan on Nov 26, 2007 8:34 AM EST

According to the Japan Times, the Diamondbacks, Dodgers, and Mariners are the leading candidates to sign pitcher Hiroki Kuroda. The Mariners have been very aggressive in attempting to sign him but are far from being a contender in the AL West. The Diamondbacks, who are young and getting better, seem to be a solid fit. However, the Dodgers are starting to look a lot better and Takashi Saito, a close friend of his, might be able to lure him there. You cannot rule out any team yet, so I expect it to come down to money.

Kerry Wood Signs With Cubs: The Cubs and Kerry Wood signed a one year4.2 million dollar contract to return with the Cubs. After nearly two weeks, it seemed unlikely that he would return.

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Far from contetntion my ass. Many scouts have touted the M's post season bound with the addition of one T.O.R starter.

If Koruda wants to fill that bill he can. Or if he wants to struggle with catcher who can't speak Japanese...then he can do that also.

Mariners are the best fit for him and he would be foolish to go else where.

by Bryant on Nov 26, 2007 1:15 PM EST reply actions

Far from contention my ass. Many scouts have touted the M's post season bound with the addition of one T.O.R Starter. Koruda can fit that bill if he wants to he can go to a team and struggle with a non japanese speaking catcher.

The Marienrs are the best fit for him and he would he foolish to go else where.

by Bryant on Nov 26, 2007 1:16 PM EST reply actions

Per ESPN radio, Wood has repotedly signed a 1-year deal with the Cubs for $4 million.

by Anonymous on Nov 26, 2007 1:31 PM EST reply actions

After the season they just had, how can you say the Mariners are "far from contending"??? The Angels are a considerably better team, but the Mariners are going to be contenders, especially if they add Kuroda or another starting pitcher

by Anonymous on Nov 26, 2007 1:45 PM EST reply actions

"Kerry Wood Unlikely To Return"...HA Signged a 1 year deat today!! Good guess buddy!

by Anonymous on Nov 26, 2007 2:00 PM EST reply actions

The article did not mention anything about the Dodgers being a leading candidate.

by Anonymous on Nov 26, 2007 2:05 PM EST reply actions

The article did not mention anything about the Dodgers being a leading candidate.

by Anonymous on Nov 26, 2007 2:05 PM EST reply actions

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071126&content_id=2307408&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

CHICAGO -- Kerry Wood is staying put.
The Cubs agreed Monday to a one-year contract with the free agent pitcher, who had been courted by other teams as a setup pitcher. Terms were not disclosed, but some reports say the deal is worth $4 million.

Wood, coming off his first full season as a reliever, may get the opportunity to be the Cubs' closer in 2008, and will compete for the job this spring along with Carlos Marmol. Ryan Dempster, who saved 28 games last season, is switching to the rotation in 2008.

Wood was 1-1 with a 3.33 ERA in 22 appearances last season, coming back from right shoulder problems that limited him to four games in 2006.

This coming season will be Wood's 14th in the Cubs organization. He ranks fourth on the Cubs' all-time strikeout list with 1,323 K's, while his .215 batting average against is the lowest of any pitcher in franchise history (minimum 1,000 innings pitched).

Last season, he totaled 18 scoreless appearances and gave up one run or fewer in 21 of 22 appearances, as six of his nine runs allowed came in two outings. He limited opponents to a .207 batting average and struck out 24 batters over 24 1/3 innings.

by Anonymous on Nov 26, 2007 2:26 PM EST reply actions

hahaha i love it when you report something like this, kerry wood is unlikely to return to the cubs and that he will explore the market, then later that day he signs a contract with the cubs...hhahaha i love it. you probably wont post comments thatt go againstt you anymore because your scared or whatever, but hope you read this.

by Anonymous on Nov 26, 2007 2:37 PM EST reply actions

The above commenter is kind of a dick.

Just saying.

by Anonymous on Nov 26, 2007 4:40 PM EST reply actions

dick or not, he's right

by Anonymous on Nov 26, 2007 4:55 PM EST reply actions

Wait a minute, he just reported what Phil Rogers had in his column this morning. Rogers is the Trib writer that has no clue.

by cub fan on Nov 26, 2007 5:35 PM EST reply actions

yeah guys relax. i was reporting from phil rogers' piece. go rip on him, or buster olney, or ken rosenthal who all had the same thing. and dont forget, it said "unlikely" not a definite answer.

by Eli on Nov 27, 2007 7:15 PM EST reply actions