The Dodgers have re-signed Hiroki Kuroda, according to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. The story broke over the weekend that Kuroda and the Dodgers were close to a one-year contract worth about $12 million, and that turned out to be correct, as Hernandez reported that exact amount.
“As we continue our commitment to winning, Hiroki Kuroda will play a significant role in our rotation, which is a very important part of our club,” said Dodgers' General Manager Ned Colletti. “He has had success in the regular season as well as the postseason and we look forward to having him back in a Dodger uniform in 2011. With four starters returning from last year, we feel very good about our rotation and we will continue to look for ways to improve the staff.”
Jayson Stark of ESPN reports that Kuroda will receive $8 million in salary in 2011, and a $4 million signing bonus spread over 2012-2013. Kuroda also has a complete no-trade clause, in addition to $500,000 in performance bonuses, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Depending on the other moves the Dodgers make, it appears the opening day payroll will be somewhere in the neighborhood north of $110 million. But, it is too early to speculate on such things.
I wrote a short piece about the Dodgers and their deferred money for SB Nation Los Angeles.
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In other news, the Dodgers have selected Anthony Jackson, a 26-year old outfielder who hasn't advanced beyond Double A, as the player to be named later from the Colorado Rockies to complete the Octavio Dotel trade. Jackson is a career .252/.331/.340 hitter in the minors.
Meanwhile, James McDonald still has five years of major league service time before he hits free agency. And Andrew Lambo.