Dodgers sign Kuroda

Tony Jackson is reporting that Hiroki Kuroda has officially agreed to a 3 year 36-40 million dollar deal. It's a lot to give up for a middle of the rotation guy, but as Jackson says, Colletti has filled 2 holes (CF & SP) and hasn't given up one of the young players. Kuroda slots in probably to the 3 or 4 spot in the rotation & most likely moves Loaiza into a long relief role.

Kuroda news

According to the Kyodo News in Japan Kuroda has reportedly informed his former team in Japan The Hiroshima Carp that he intends to sign with the Dodgers and took a flight today to L.A. to take a physical and sign the contract. A nice pickup for the Blue. He'll be a solid #4 man behind Penny, Lowe & Bills. Here's some info on the guy in case you want to know what the Dodger's are in for.

Winter Meetings...Tying up Loose Ends

• Andruw Jones signed with the Dodgers last night and his salary breaks down like this:

$12.2 million signing bonus, of which $5.1 million is payable next year, $2.1 million in 2009 and $5 million in 2010. He well get salaries of $9 million next year and $15 million in 2009

• Jones also receives a full no trade clause.
• Astros selected LHP Wesley Wright from the Dodgers with the eighth pick in the Rule 5 draft. Wright, a short left-hander, had a 2.49 ERA and a 68/31 K/BB ratio in 61 1/3 innings for Double-A Jacksonville last season. Still wondering why the Dodgers left him available. There's a good chance they get him back.
  
• The Heater, The Tampa Bay Rays Blog talks about the possibility of Andre Ethier could be moved to them.
  
• Tom Haudricourt, from the Brewers Blog, is denying that the Dodgers and Brewers ever spoke about Ben Sheets, contradicting an earlier report from USA TODAY. He does believe there is mild interest in Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, but does not get into specifics.
  
• An Oakland A's source told the SF Chronicle that the Dodgers & A's are, "as far away as the moon" on a Joe Blanton deal.
• Hiroki Kuroda plans on visiting Arizona, Seattle and L.A. while trying to finagle a fourth year out of teams according to Nick Piecoro, from the AZ Republic.
  

Dodgers looking to Kuroda for the back of the Rotation

According to Ken Gurnick from mlb.com the Dodgers are looking to sign Japanese pitcher Hiroki Kuroda.

Here's a little info on him: He's 32, pitched for Hiroshima where he compiled a record of 103-89 over 11 seasons & was a teammate of super closer Takashi Saito. Kuroda is a true free agent and is not subject to the posting system. Among teams pursing Kuroda are Seattle, Arizona and Kansas City. He'll probably get somewhere around 3 years/30 million which is better than anything we would give someone like Kyle Loshe.

Rumors

• The Dodgers have an interest in Tony Clark. Dylan Hernandez also notes that the Dodgers' talks for Erik Bedard have stalled because the Orioles want to see what happens with Miguel Cabrera first. Instead of pursuing talented young players. Colletti seems determined to turn us into the Giants. A worthless bunch of aging veterans.
  
• Ned Colletti expects Jeff Kent back & I expect his mustache to come back sometime after that.
• The Dodgers have a great bit of interest in Hiroki Kuroda & could be right behind the Mariners, according to the L.A. Daily News. They scouted him quite a bit last season & while the Mariners sent GM Bill Bavasi and manager John McLaren out to meet with him his preference is said to be Los Angeles.
  
• This from Jon Heyman @ SI, The Dodgers also have what it would take to land Cabrera, and like their neighbors 45 minutes down I-5, also have money left over from their truncated run at A-Rod. But the Dodgers have been reluctant to surrender their better prospects: outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, first baseman James Loney, third baseman Andy LaRoche and pitchers Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw.
• I've said it before and I'll say it again DO NOT TRADE KERSHAW!!!