Marchand: Kuroda left money on the table to re-sign with Yankees

November 23, 2012 by Mike Axisa 18 Comments

Via Andrew Marchand: Hiroki Kuroda turned down offers with multiple guaranteed years and/or more total money to re-sign with the Yankees for one-year and $15M earlier this week. The Dodgers, Red Sox, and Angels were among the clubs courting the veteran right-hander. Ken Rosenthal notes that Kuroda has signed four contracts in his MLB career, and he left money on the table each time. Most guys (understandably) take the biggest payday, but comfort has obviously been a major factor for Hiroki.

RetroRob

There’s a similarity with Pettitte here. A quality pitcher who only wants to sign a one-year contract can charge a premium because it greatly reduces the risk and downside for a team. Yet in both cases, neither pitcher has been willing to truly take advantage of the free-agent market, since they’ve limit themselves to one team.
Preston

Always nice to have guys in the clubhouse who really want to be there.
- Gonzo
  
  He must have found Hideki’s secret stash.
  - RetroRob
    
    That’s good, because the collection was so large it will probably take him at least another year or two to go through them all. Another one-year contract in 2014!
  - Steve (different one)
    
    Yet if he winds up with a tired arm next year, people will blame the innings….
    - JMK
      
      I chuckled.
Ted Nelson

More money over more years is not necessarily a better financial offer. Most players understandably hedge their downside risk by getting more years. If they stink or get hurt, they still get paid. If the deals he turned down were two years, $20 mill they might have been less financially attractive, though. Between getting your money sooner, getting your money for half the work, and having the flexibility to do what you want next offseason, the Yankees might have made the most attractive offer.
- Cris Pengiucci
  
  Add having a known group of teammates, a solid chance of competing for the WS and a strong fan base to the reasons for his decision as well. They seem to have played at least some part in his decision.
  - Ted Nelson
    
    Probably. I think people are jumping to conclusions a little to fit a narrative, though. Could be totally true, but leaving money on the table in terms of total $ is not necessarily actually leaving anything on the table.
    - Andruw’s Smile
      
      Oh, absolutely agree. However, I bet a two year deal from another team wouldve been closer to 25/26mil, meaning a little less AAV but still substantial money. I can see Hiroki’s familiarity with the Yankees and success being a bit of a plus
    - Steve (different one)
      
      Agreed, but if the Dodgers were involved, I have no trouble believing they offered more years AND higher AAV.
Elucian

Add to the benefits is the age of most teammates, which is closer to Kuroda’s.
Cano fan #1

Hope they win the world series next year for kuroda he deserve
Logan

He left money on the table, but he still held out for more than jut a $3.3 mil raise
- Steve (different one)
  
  Those two things are not mutually exclusive
- JayNY
  
  Nah NTC(No trade Clause) is the reason why he held out QO
Short Porch

Do Yankees do better than others in securing endorsement dollars? Will Hiroki see a bump in his income from that?
honkey tonk champion

Much respect mister kuroda.