The New York Yankees did reach a deal with a free-agent pitcher on Friday, just not the one they had reportedly made on offer to earlier.
The Yankees officially announced their one-year deal with Freddy Garcia today. Garcia went went 12-8 with a 3.62 ERA in 25 starts with the Yankees last season.
Contrary to an earlier report, the Yankees are now said not to have made an offer to Kuroda.
With Garcia, the Yankees have CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes and Garcia in their starting rotation. If a signing of Kuroda were to happen, or if the Yankees win the bidding for Japanese star Yu Darvish and eventually sign him you wonder which pitcher would be moved to break the logjam of starting pitchers.
The Yankees have reportedly tried to trade Burnett, but are not finding a market for the enigmatic right-hander. Hughes has pitched out of the bullpen, but the Yankees have given no indication they see Hughes as a relief pitcher long term.