Saxon: Kuroda’s “first preference” is to pitch in Southern California

The Yankees have been negotiating a new contract with Hiroki Kuroda since the end of the season, but Mark Saxon says the right-hander has told friends that his “first preference” is to pitch in Southern California next year. His two elementary school-aged daughters still live out there.

These reports that cite “friends” are always sketchy, and my very first thought when I read this was that Kuroda is trying to squeeze every last penny out of the Yankees. First we heard that it was either New York or Japan next year, then it was a personal list of teams, and now it’s Southern California specifically. Either way, the sooner Kuroda signs, the better. The Yankees could then move forward knowing they either got their guy or must find an alternative.