Kuroda Returns, Granderson Goes Crosstown

The Yankees will have to look for a new hitter for the heart of the order with the departure of Robinson Cano, but they've added back a piece of the starting rotation. Hiroki Kuroda has decided to return for another season at a reported salary of $16MM.

Kuroda was the ace of the Yankees staff in 2013 until he wore out in the final month of the season. Prior to that he was a legitimate contender for the AL Cy Young Award. The right-hander will turn 39 during Spring Training next year and hopes to get more run support than he did this past season. The Yankees averaged 3.2 runs per game when Kuroda started, a major factor in his 11-13 record despite an ERA that was under 3.00 until his final three starts of the season.

Kuroda joins CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova as holdovers from last season's starting staff. The Yankees still hope to sign Kuroda's countryman Masahiro Tanaka as well as a 5th starter either from within the organization (Michael Pineda) or from outside. There's a chance that the Yankees could take a look at free agent Ubaldo Jimenez again, whom the Yankees had interest in early in the off-season.

Outfielder Curtis Granderson will be switching to orange and blue after he agreed to a four-year, $60MM deal with the New York Mets. Granderson was acquired from the Detroit Tigers prior to the 2010 season in a three team deal that sent Austin Jackson and Phil Coke from the Yankees to the Tigers.  The Yankees also sent pitcher Ian Kennedy to Arizona, who sent the AL 2013 Cy Young winner Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth to Detroit. The Diamondbacks also received pitcher Edwin Jackson from the Tigers.

Towards the end of a non-productive 2010 campaign, Granderson made adjustments with the the help of hitting coach Kevin Long and it paid off the following year. Granderson reached career highs in OPS (.916) and home runs (43) and led the AL in runs scored (136) and RBI (119). He finished 4th in the AL MVP vote with former teammate Justin Verlander taking home the hardware.

Granderson hit 43 home runs and drove in 106 in 2012, but the rest of his numbers were down, except for strikeouts. The affable Chicago native was limited to 61 games in 2014 after pitches broke a finger and his forearm in two different incidences.

Napoli, Victorino Join Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have plenty of money to burn after unloading Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez at the 2012 trade deadline, and they are quickly spending it.

The Red Sox have snatched up catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli and outfielder Shane Victorino at the start of the winter meetings.

Napoli will primarily be the Sox first baseman and could see occasional play backing up starting catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Napoli spent his first five seasons with the Los Angeles Angels before he was dealt along with Juan Rivera to the Toronto Blue Jays in Jan., 2011 for Vernon Wells. Four days later, the Blue Jays moved Napoli to the Texas Rangers for reliever Frank Francisco. The deal proved to be a winner for Texas as Napoli helped propel them to their second straight World Series.

The then-29-year old produced career highs in home runs (30), RBI (75), and OPS (1.046). Though his numbers dipped last season he made his first All-Star team. On the face of it, the Red Sox overpaid for a player (3 years, $39MM) that has only played more than 115 games in a season once in his career, but his former manager Ron Washington says he worth it.

The Texas skipper sang Napoli's praises at the winter meetings in Nashville.“Tremendous character,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “He’s a winner. It’s unfortunate that things didn’t work out here, but we do wish him well in Boston.”¹

Victorino became a full-time player with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006 and was an instrumental  part if the Phiilies back to back pennant winners in 2008 and 2009. With free agency looming, the Phils sent Victorino to the Dodgers at last season's trade deadline for reliever Josh Lindblom and a pair of minor leaguers.

The "Flying Hawaiian" turned 32 last Friday and had a significant drop off in production in 2012. Despite that, the Red Sox were willing to give Victorino a three year, $39MM contract. Just like Napoli, the amount of money per year is more than the player is worth. But also like Napoli, the Red Sox are getting a top character guy for a clubhouse that has been in disarray the last two years.

1 - Boston Herald