MLB Free Agents 2012: Is Hiroki Kuroda the Next Piece of Boston's Puzzle?

The 2012 off-season hasn't been very exciting for the Red Sox in regards to available free agents. Much of the hype came through two trades; one to acquire reliever Mark Melancon and the other to acquire closer Andrew Bailey. Boston's main issue is finding starting pitching and Hiroki Kuroda could soon be their answer.

Boston currently has three definite starting pitchers in Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz. Manager Bobby Valentine also plans on testing Daniel Bard as a starter during Spring Training. If that doesn't pan out, the Red Sox will need to fill two huge holes in their staff. 

Hiroki Kuroda, who will turn 37 in February, has been pursued by both the Red Sox and the rival Yankees this offseason, as reported by MLB Trade Rumors. MLB Trade Rumors also reports that he is looking for around $12-13 million per year. Kuroda has pitched the last four seasons for the Dodgers, compiling a 41-46 record and a 3.45 ERA. 

He threw over 200 innings for the first time in his major league career and has never thrown 60 walks in a season. The right-hander had a 7.2 K/9 rate which would be great for a team's fourth or fifth starter. He let up 24 home runs in 2011, which is concerning especially since he averaged 13 in the previous three seasons and has been a contact pitcher for all of his career. 

MLB Trade Rumors reported on Monday that New York is likely out of the race for Kuroda; his salary would increase about $4 million with the luxury tax they would pay on him. With New York passing on Kuroda, Boston now has the ability to negotiate without the Yankees raising the price.

Cherington has money to spend now that Boston saved money by acquiring Bailey instead of re-signing Jonathan Papelbon; money that could be spent on Hiroki Kuroda. He would be a solid fourth starter in the Red Sox rotation, a rotation with plenty of questions at the moment.