Swami says the Cubs should forget about Mark Prior and Kerry Wood for their future and start concentrating on pitchers that are REALLY good. They’ll all in Japan right now and one of them might be willing play in Wrigley. His name is ….
Hiroki Kuroda
Mark it down. Somebody is going to get him this year and he’ll make the difference between winning a pennant and another century of heartburn. Any Chicago Cubs management suits out there paying attention?
Here’s one reason we hope the Cubs save up $20 million or so to acquire the Japanese righthanded pitcher.
He’s pitched for the Carp. The CARP, for crying out loud. Anyone who can be successful playing for a team named CARP has GOT to be good.
In 2006. he was 13-6, pitched 189 innings, fanned 144 and had an earned run average of 1.85. .In 2007, the 32-year-old went 12-8 with a 3.56 ERA, 176 H and 123/42 K/BB in 179 2/3 IP.
His home park dimensions have 300 feet down-the-lines-to-a-homer.
The Cubs made an offer last year but he decided to stay in Japan. But now all the signs are he’s coming to the U.S. of A.
Here’s what a variety of fan blogs say about him.
“Kuroda throws in the low-90s and uses a slider and a forkball/changeup. Plus command could make him a No. 4 starter, even if he has a below average strikeout rate. A three-year deal appears likely, and the Mariners and Cubs are expected to pursue him.
”Prediction: Mariners - three years, $27 million
”A few things to add here. He throws in the mid 90s, topping out at around 96. His fork is a fork, not a change, and it is very good. He also throws a good shuuto - reverse slider, which is similar to a screwball, only faster.
”Kuroda is a groundball guy. His strikeout totals in Japan have been on the low side, but several pitchers, namely Okajima and Saito, have increased their K totals when coming over.
His nickname is Mr. Complete game. I think we could use a few of those next season.
Go here http://www.japanesebaseball.com/players/player.jsp?PlayerID=986to see his career stats.
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