Yankees Sign Free-Agent Pitcher Hiroki Kuroda to 1-Year Contract

The New York Yankees have reportedly signed right-hander Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year extension, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.

Olney tweeted on Tuesday:

"

Sources: The Yankees have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Hiroki Kuroda.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 20, 2012"

Olney later tweeted the details of the contract:

"

The agreement with the Yankees and Kuroda is for $15 million, with some incentives that are worth less than $1 million.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 20, 2012"

While this may be a bit pricey for a starter in his late 30s, this isn't a bad move for the Yankees, considering that the 37-year-old led the team's regular starters in starts (33), innings (219.2), ERA (3.32) and quality starts (20) last season. He also had just 51 walks while notching 167 strikeouts.

Beyond that, Kuroda pitched well in the postseason, allowing a combined five runs in two starts (16 innings) against the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers.

This is nothing new for the Osaka native, of course. He's had a history of success ever since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2008. He's never had an ERA over 3.76 in his major league career and posted an ERA of 3.07 with the Dodgers in 2011.

The Yankees registered a starters' ERA of 4.05 last season, which was good for sixth in the American League, although young starters Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova, as well as Freddy Garcia (17 starts), struggled. Kuroda and CC Sabathia were huge for New York.

The Yankees are hoping Kuroda can duplicate his success in 2013 after a season that saw the club get swept by the Tigers in the ALCS despite posting the AL's best regular season record (95-67).

The offense is going to have to show up in the playoffs, though.