ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick is reporting that the Royals and reliever Joakim Soria are finalizing a three-year contract. The LA Dodgers clearly needed to add another starting pitcher after losing Zack Greinke to the Arizona Diamondbacks, creating a situation where the franchise might overpay to sign Iwakuma.
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Iwakuma has spent the last four years living in Felix Hernandez’s shadow up in Seattle, but he’s been an effective pitcher in his four years in the majors. They also re-upped second baseman Chase Utley on Sunday and reportedly are close to trading for Reds closer Aroldis Chapman. There are several Seattle Mariners rumors about the team extending a free agent offer, but that the Dodgers have topped it in dollar amount.
Chapman has one year left before free agency and is expected to make about $13 million in his final season of arbitration.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and right-handed starter Hisashi Iwakuma are very close to coming to terms on a contract, according to Joel Sherman.
Personally I think Iwakuma stays in Seattle.
Lots of teams including the Giants, Dodgers and Mariners have all expressed interest in signing Iwakuma. Jon Heyman at CBS Sports reports that there is an agreement, but that the physical has not yet been completed.
Iwakuma’s 2015 season was shortened by injuries, but was impressive nonetheless. Pretty much the second Daniel published it, this news came through on Twitter.
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Last year, Iwakuma allowed four runs in each of his first three starts before hitting the DL with a strained lat. He had a rough first start back, but only allowed more than four runs three times in 17 post-DL starts.
