The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming one step closer to filling the Zack Greinke-shaped hole in their rotation. According to several reports, the Dodgers are close to signing former Mariners’ pitcher Hiashi Iwakuma to a multi-year deal. The 34-year-old starter has been a reliable second option for Seattle behind Felix Hernandez the past few years, posting a 3.17 ERA in 111 games over the span of four seasons. Jim Bowden of ESPN reported that a deal had been reached, but several other Los Angeles-based and national insiders were quick to refute that.
Iwakuma has agreed with Dodgers
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) December 7, 2015
Agreement between Iwakuma and #Dodgers not yet complete, source says. — Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) December 7, 2015
Iwakuma and dodgers still working on deal. They appear to be clear favorite, tho.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 7, 2015
Sources: #Dodgers moving toward completion of deal with Iwakuma. @JimBowden_ESPN says agreement is in place. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) 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
Joel Sherman of the New York Post also reported no deal had been reached yet, but he also added that he fully expects one to get done:
#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
Fully expect #Dodgers and Iwakuma to push a deal across goal line based on what other teams are saying but not final yet
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 7, 2015
In four seasons with the Seattle Mariners, Iwakuma has a 3.17 ERA, 3.74 FIP, 1.08 WHIP, and an average of 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings over 635.2 innings pitched.
UPDATE: Heyman reports the sides have a deal. For now, Iwakuma is second on the Dodgers’ starting pitching depth chart behind Clayton Kershaw.
Dodgers have a deal with iwakuma. Believed to be for 3 years. — Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 7, 2015
The LA Dodgers apparently signed Pitcher Hiashi Iwakuma, now they need to focus on their bull-pen. I see The Reds Aldois Chapman as a need.