Yankees lost one player

Via David Lennon: Hiroki Kuroda “has told friends” that he’ll pitch for either the Yankees or the Hiroshima Carp next season, but he hasn’t made a decision yet. New York did make the right-hander a qualifying offer, but they would not get draft pick compensation if he signed in Japan.

Kuroda, 37, spent eleven years with the Carp before coming over to MLB in 2008. He’s reportedly cool with signing another one-year deal in part because it affords him the flexibility to return to Japan at some point. These reports that cite “friends” are always sketchy though, so take this with a huge grain of salt. If Kuroda decides not to re-sign with the Yankees and instead returns to the Carp, it won’t be for money reasons. That much is certain.