Hiroki Kuroda: Can New York Yankees New Pitcher Hold His Own in the AL East?

There’s no amount of sugar to possibly coat the performance.

In his inaugural appearance for the Yankees, Hiroki Kuroda looked nothing like his $10 million price tag. Even with the yielding of two unearned runs by the defensive adventure that is Eduardo Nunez, Kuroda appeared lost and overmatched in his first game as an American league pitcher. 

So, is this a sign of things to come throughout the year? Did Brian Cashman once again commit another colossal gaffe when nabbing free-agent pitchers?

Making assertive predictions after a solitary start is patently ridiculous. But this is New York, and the sometimes irrational criticism can begin before Tax Day. And after his outing versus Tampa, the whispering concerns about Kuroda are beginning to rise in decibel rating.

When news came down that the Yankees had acquired the former Dodger this offseason, warnings signs were immediately abound. For instance, Kuroda is 37 years old in only his fifth MLB season.  He’s no Satchel Paige, but no spring chicken either. 

Coinciding with his age concerns is the swapping of leagues. While he put up exceptional numbers in the National League (3.47 ERA, WHIP 1.19), he is dealing with an entirely new animal in the American League East. 

Against what was supposed to be a below average Tampa Bay Rays offense, he allowed six runs (four earned), eight hits and four walks in 5.2 innings. While manager Joe Girardi defended his starter when saying the allowed runs “kept us in the game,” it was clear Kuroda looked uncomfortable in his Yankee debut.

Recording only a single 1-2-3 inning and throwing just 55 of his 95 pitches for strikes, the attributes that made him an enticing free agent were clearly not visible.

Even Kuroda’s own admission revealed that, “all the pitches were a little bit off, and I didn’t have one pitch I could rely on."

What every man, woman and child has to remember is that this was Kuroda’s first start on a new coast, new team and new league. No, it certainly didn’t live up to the lofty expectations that everyone had imagined, and it’s safe to say Kuroda includes himself in that group of prognosticators.

Taking into consideration all of the expectations, results and further predictions, what can be realistically be expected from Kuroda from here on out?

While the Yankees will never freely admit it (at least not at this point), they overpaid for his services. Doling out $10 million to a 37-year-old who was completely green to the AL was an impulsive move to bolster a tattered starting lineup. But that’s not to say Kuroda won’t be effective.

Expect him for the most part to roll over lesser opponents and keep the club in games against the teams with more ilk. No doubt the same nerves that most likely dogged him in his New York launching will dissipate and the crafty veteran will shine through.

His overpowering days full of intimidating heat appear to be in his rear view mirror. But, as long as the hurler can stuff the stat sheet with solid innings, his presence in the rotation will be widely considered a success.

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