Kuroda Resigns with Yankees

nymag.com

Yankees were able to resign Hiroki Kuroda for one more year, as probably the Yankees best starter last year will be returning for the 2013 season with the Yankees. Kuroda signed a one year 15 million dollar deal to stay in the Bronx despite reports that he was thinking about returning to Japan to finish his career.

Kuroda finished the 2012 season going 16-11 with a 3.32 ERA in 219 innings, and with injuries to Andy Pettitte and C.C. Sabathia Kuroda was the Yankees ace for a good part of the season. Kuroda also pitched very well in the postseason despite not getting a win due to no run support, as he had a 2.81 ERA in two starts.

With Kuroda coming back it is the first piece coming back to what should be a very good starting rotation in 2013, as the return of Andy Pettitte is also figured to happen soon. The rotation figures to be Sabathia, Kuroda, Pettitte, Phil Hughes, and either Ivan Nova or David Phelps as the fifth starter. Michael Pineda is also expected to be back in June, and if healthy should be a good pitcher for the Yankees.

The Yankees rotation should figure to be one of the best rotations in all of baseball with Kuroda coming back, as the Yankees will look to bounce back after a disappointing 2012 ALCS.