Dodgers could be adding Hisashi Iwakuma

Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma, second from right, celebrates with catcher Jesus Sucre (2) and first baseman Logan Morrison, right, after Iwakuma threw a no-hitter against the Orioles in August.

Columnist

Dec. 6, 2015 8:45 PM PT

Reporting from NASHVILLE — Right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma could be the next player to sign with the Dodgers.

Iwakuma and the Dodgers were closing in on an deal, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the contract was still not finalized.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported Sunday night that the Japanese right-hander had agreed to the terms of a contract, which was believed to be for three years.

Iwakuma turns 35 in April and would presumably require a shorter contract than the likes of Mike Leake and Scott Kazmir. Acquiring Iwakuma would cost the Dodgers a first-round draft pick because he rejected a qualifying offer from the Seattle Mariners.

Iwakuma was 47-25 with a 3.17 earned-run average in four seasons with the Mariners. Injuries limited him to 20 starts this year, when he was 9-5 with a 3.54 ERA.

Iwakuma would be the only right-hander in a rotation that consists of Clayton Kershaw, Brett Anderson, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Alex Wood.

Iwakuma will likely step into the rotation spot vacated by Zack Greinke, who agreed to a six-year, $206.5-million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Dodgers balked at offering Greinke a contract that long, noting he would be 37 when the deal expired.

That’s the same age Iwakuma will be at the end of a three-year deal.