Can The Yankees Afford To Wait For Hiroki Kuroda?

The New York Yankees are going to need some help in the starting pitching department. Masahiro Tanaka and CC Sabathia all have injury concerns. Ivan Nova is coming off Tommy John surgery. Shane Greene is a young and developing pitcher. David Phelps has been a swing guy.

The mainstay in their rotation was the oldest guy in it in Hiroki Kuroda. Kuroda turns 40 in February and is debating about whether or not he’s going to pitch again, whether it’s in the majors or Japan, or call it a career. The Yankees didn’t make him a qualifying offer, but GM Brian Cashman expects him to pitch again.

The question is how long can they afford to wait for Kuroda?

We all know about the big three free agents, but former Yankee Brandon McCarthy is pretty darn good in his own right.  If Kuroda decides to retire, and the Yankees wait around for him and don’t act on getting another pitcher, they could find themselves either dumpster diving of sorts, or trying to make trades in which they may have to give up too much.

We all know what you get with Hiroki Kuroda, however, at 40, will it last? Can he stay healthy at his age to give the Yankees close to 200 innings like he has in the past?

Kuroda would be great to have around, but the Yankees need to be more proactive and not settle on Kuroda.