Report: Red Sox ‘Made a Really Strong Push’ to Sign Hiroki Kuroda Before Yankees Inked Hurler to New Deal

Hiroki Kuroda put together a nice season for the Yankees in 2012, and that was apparently enough to pique the Red Sox’ interest.

According to WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford, Boston “made a really strong push” to sign Kuroda before the Yankees inked the veteran right-hander to a one-year deal worth a reported $15 million.

Kuroda, who turns 38 in February, went 16-11 with a 3.32 ERA in 33 starts for the Bronx Bombers last season. Prior to signing a one-year deal with New York last offseason, Kuroda had spent his first four major league seasons with the Dodgers.

Kuroda’s career ERA sits at 3.42, and he’s now eclipsed the 200-inning mark in back-to-back seasons after throwing 219 2/3 innings in 2012.