Hiroki Kuroda Agrees to Another Season with Yankees

Hiroki Kuroda, 37, will be returning to the New York Yankees for his 17th professional season a $15 million paycheck. Kuroda started his career in Japan and may eventually return. “It fits how we've operated here in the last number of years, to do short-term circumstances on high-end players,” General Manager Brian Cashman said. “And this is a very accomplished pitcher.” The Yankees hope to keep the payroll below $189 million in 2014 as it will reduce their tax rate. By entering into annual contracts such as Kuroda's they can ensure that they achieve this goal. They are trying to work out a similar arrangement with Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera. “Andy is deciding whether he wants to play, so as of right now, he hasn't put himself in play,” Cashman said. “There is really nothing to discuss at this point, until he goes through that process.” “I am very happy and excited to re-sign with the Yankees,” Kuroda said in a statement. “I am very grateful for all of the interest and all of the offers that I received from the various teams that courted me. It was a tough decision for me to make, but at the end of the day, I wanted to try to win a championship with the teammates that I went to battle with last season.”