Dodgers sign Kuroda

By signing Japanese free-agent Hiroki Kuroda to a three-year $35.2 million contract the Los Angeles Dodgers have snatched up the one free agent arm that the Mariners have had their most extensive talks with this off-season. Kuroda may be nothing more than a marginally better than average arm, and if so then it’s great that the M’s front office never gave into Kuroda’s salary demands. Still, that’s one free agent arms the M’s won’t be getting.

If the Mariners are truly in the hunt for Erik Bedard from the Orioles, possibly for a Brandon Morrow-Jeff Clement package for the O’s left-hander, they better get on it. Otherwise, the pickings will grow slim for the M’s to address their most pressing need, starting pitching, and may end up with no other options than Kyle Lohse….