Hiroki Kuroda Willing to Take Another 1-Year Deal

Hiroki Kuroda would be content to sign another one-year contract, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com:

"Hiroki Kuroda loved his first year in New York, and he's amenable to a one-year deal.

So when the Yankees make the $13.3-million qualifying offer Friday, as they surely will, they could be moving close to a deal."

The Yankees signed Kuroda to a one-year, $10 million contract on Jan. 13. The 37-year-old went 16-11 with a 3.32 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 219 2/3 innings. His 126 ERA+ was the highest of his five-year major league career.

Heyman also reported that Kuroda plans on returning to Japan at some point, making a multi-year deal less desirable for the native of Osaka, Japan. Kuroda pitched for the Hiroshima Carp from 1997-2007.

Zack Greinke leads the free agent crop of starting pitchers. Kuroda finds himself in the second tier along with the likes of Anibal Sanchez, Edwin Jackson and Kyle Lohse.

Tuesday, the Chicago White Sox signed Jake Peavy to a two-year $29 million contract after going 11-12 with a 3.37 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 219 innings.