MLB Free Agency: Hiroki Kuroda to Red Sox Doesn't Change Things for Yankees

It appears Hiroki Kuroda could be the prize piece brought in by the Boston Red Sox during the 2012 free-agency period. He will certainly be the biggest move made between Boston and their division rivals, the New York Yankees.

Both teams have been extremely quiet, biding their time while they shed some unwanted contracts that have caused their financial inflexibility. Both also had the same need for depth at starting pitching and only the Red Sox did something.

So is this a cause for concern in the Bronx? Does this mean the Yankees need to rush a move along to match what Boston has done?

Not even close. Even when Boston was doing big things last offseason, the Yanks stood pat for the most part and still won the division handily.

Besides, Kuroda is not the type of guy who will change a rotation, he will only add to it. His 3.07 ERA and ability to eat innings might look impressive, but he did pitch in the National League and in the NL West which is notorious for bad offensive outputs.

Upon entering the AL East, Kuroda might find a 3.00 ERA a little harder to come by and will be tested for the first time in his short MLB career. He will also be 37 when the season starts and there's no telling when age will become a factor for Kuroda.

The Red Sox have done a nice job improving their rotation with the best available piece left, but even adding Kuroda doesn't force the Yanks' hand. It'll be status quo for Brian Cashman, looking for a trade that'll make the Sox's Kuroda deal look like peanuts.