In the last two days, both Hiroki Kuroda (linke) and Casey Blake (link) have been connected to the Yankees. The connections are tenuous at best, but both players could have roles on the 2012 Yankees and are worth examining.
Starting with Blake, who could play a backup infield role, we see a guy whose 2011 season was ended by neck surgery. He was limited to just 63 games and 239 plate appearances this season. In those 239 PAs, Blake was essentially average, hitting to a .314 wOBA and a 99 wRC+. His Iso was an unimpressive .119, which marked the continuation of a downward power trend (.189 Iso in ’09, .159 in ’10, .119 this year). However, he managed to post a 10.9 walk rate, leading to a productive .342 OBP. In terms of fielding at third base, Defensive Runs Saved, Total Zone, and UZR have all liked Blake for years now. Looking at the whole picture–a good defender who isn’t an automatic out–I think we could have a solid backup infielder on our hands. But, of course, health is an issue and so is Blake’s willingness to take a backup role. On the one hand, it might be an attractive option to him so he can prove that he’s healthy and parlay that into a starting job in 2013. But, on the other hand, I’m sure there will be a team willing to give Blake a starting job right away.
Kuroda could be a good pick up for the back-end of the rotation, but I’d say it’s a long shot at best. He’d most likely want to stay on the West Coast, but if he didn’t, he’d be worth a good look. He’s not going to strike a ton of guys out (6.73 K/9 career, though he’s been over 7 the last two seasons), but he has good control (career 2.10 BB/0) and has been durable–in his four MLB seasons, he’s pitched at least 183 innings three times, 2009 being the only exception. He’s played in a pitcher friendly park, but he’s had xFIP- marks of 90, 85, 86, and 92. He’s aided in that department by a solid ground ball percentage (48.3 career) and the aforementioned solid control. Kuroda is definitely a long shot and he wouldn’t be at the top of my free agent starting pitcher wish list, but if he’s interested in coming east to the Yankees, he’d be worth a look.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
13 Responses to Ex-Dodger Notes: Blake, Kuroda linked to Yankees
Leave a Reply
TIQ IQ
Blake would be a pretty nice piece to have on the bench. My initial reaction to the idea of him trying to get a starting gig was one of laughter, although a quick glance at the 3B leaderboard shows that he outperformed a handful of full timers — albeit it in limited duty — and so I guess it shouldn’t be surprising if he holds out for a team that will let him start.
As an aside, what the hell were the Dodgers thinking trading Carlos Santana for Blake? That has to be one of the more ill-conceived trades of the last five years.
Yeah, that was just…dumb. Blake played pretty well for the Dodgers, but that trade is going to be his legacy with them. If I were a Dodgers fan, anyway, that’s the only thing I’d think of when thinking of Blake.
That was a pretty awful trade, though it should be mentioned that Santana, though a great hitter, is pretty awful defensively. He was worth nearly -2 wins defensively this year using the new catcher defense metrics.
Even still the production you could get out of him at C or 1B for the next 6 years is more than Blake.
Joe Torre gets what he wants. See Womack, Tony.
Blake is 39 in August 2012. Hard to see anyone making him their fulltime third baseman.
The Yankees should definitely sign Kuroda as he and Darvish could immediately be friends since they’re from the same country. (Well, half freinds anyway, since Darvish is half Iranian. Or does that make it 3/4 friends, since Kuroda is full Japanese. 2/3 friends?) :-)
Given Kuroda’s repeated stated preference for the west coast I have a hard time envisioning him signing with the Yanks, but who knows, maybe they make him an offer he can’t refuse.
I can’t imagine there would be room in the budget for both Darvish and Kuroda, but I wouldn’t complain if they were able to bring them both in.
There is no room for both. If they signed CC and Darvish back they would have all 5 rotation spots filled pretty much. Kuroda says he is pretty much staying a Dodger or going to Japan. I mean if we miss out on Darvish and CJ I would love him on a one year deal, but I don’t think its happening.
As for Blake as a backup 3B, again a one year deal would be nice. I don’t know why they wouldn’t just save the money and call up Brandon Laird. It would allow the Yankees to allow him to develop him a bit in the bigs, and if he shows value he could end up as a part of a trade.
The go back to Japan thing is something not enough people bring up with Kuroda in my opinion. He has made enough money between the US & Japan to retire on I’m sure, and if he really wants to play ball and be in a comfortable enviornment Japan makes all the sense in the world. The Dodgers won’t be a contender next year, and he probably could have his pick of any Japanese team he wanted. Living here has to be somewhat strange and lonely, even for a guy who’s been here as long as he has.
In the end I think he stays with the Dodgers, but I wouldn’t be shocked at all if he went back to Japan.
The Yankees desperately need a replacement for the overpaid,washed up A-Rod. We need hitting first–pitching second. Swisher and Texeira do not hit the ball solidly enough–no consistency. Look at Pujols’ strikeouts(very few). To think they’re thinking of getting rid of montero is abominable since young sluggers are what this team desperately needs.
Spitter
You do realize that at the All-Star break Alex was the best rated defensive 3rd baseman in baseball, and his offensive numbers over a full year combine to make him still one of the handful of top 3rd baseman period right? I know this doesn’t fit your “Alex is washed up” meme, but it’s true. He isn’t an elite player anymore, but he is still very far from washed up. Alex’s problem is that he has been more and more injury prone the last few years, but that isn’t a real shock considering his a big man who he has played two of the most demanding positions in the infield his whole career.
What does Pujols have anything to do with Teixeira and Swisher? Comparing anyone to Pujols in anyway is silly. The man is one of the best baseball players of all time not named Babe.