NASHVILLE — The Dodgers are reportedly the front-runners to sign right-handed pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma, though reports were conflicted Sunday night as to how close the two sides were to a contract.
Update (6:45 p.m. PT): Jon Heyman of CBSsports.com is reporting that the Dodgers and Iwakuma have agreed to a three-year contract:
Dodgers have a deal with iwakuma. Believed to be for 3 years.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 7, 2015
Iwakuma and dodgers still working on deal. They appear to be clear favorite, tho.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 7, 2015
Source: Iwakuma and Dodgers do not yet have an agreement. Could very well get done, but at this point no done deal between the sides.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2015
Iwakuma has agreed with Dodgers
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) December 7, 2015
Any deal between #Dodgers and Iwakuma will be pending a physical. Zaidi was with #Athletics when A’s tried to sign him.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2015
#Dodgers not in agreement with Iwakuma yet but other teams interested in RHP strongly believe he will be a Dodger
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 7, 2015
At the bare minimum, it appears that Iwakuma is the new focus of the Dodgers’ attention after the club lost out on top targets Zack Greinke and Jeff Samardzija on consecutive days.
Like Greinke and Samardzija, Iwakuma throws right-handed. Following an 11-year-career in Japan’s top league, Iwaukma signed with the Mariners prior to the 2012 season. In four seasons in Seattle, Iwakuma went 47-25 with a 3.17 earned-run average (117 ERA+). He finished third in the American League Cy Young Award voting in 2013.
Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi was in the A’s front office when they pursued Iwakuma in 2011 and 2012.
Iwakuma, who turns 35 next April, was limited to 20 starts last season because of a strained lat muscle that sidelined him all of May and June. He finished 9-5 with a 3.54 earned-run average (8-4, 3.05 in the second half).
The Mariners reportedly offered Iwakuma a two-year deal for $24 million; it’s unknown if they ever increased the term of the offer. If not, the Dodgers might be able to get Iwakuma on a three-year deal, which would take him to age 37.
Iwakuma is represented by Joel Wolfe of Wasserman Media Group. Wolfe also represents second baseman Chase Utley, who reportedly agreed to terms with the Dodgers on a one-year contract earlier Sunday. The Dodgers might just be trying to knock out all their Wolfe-related negotiations in one day.
Because Iwakuma rejected a qualifying offer after the season, the Dodgers would forfeit their first-round draft pick (25th overall) once their contract becomes official. The Dodgers also have two compensation-round picks, immediately after the first round.