According to Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles, Hiroki Kurodda has told friends that his first preference is to pitch in Southern California.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Angels have joined the hunt for free agent Hiroki Kuroda. The Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees are also in the mix. And there's still a chance that Kuroda will simply decide to head back to Japan. The 37-year-old right-hander posted a stellar 3.32 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 167/51 K/BB ratio in 219 2/3 innings this past season for New York.

Hiroki Kuroda has declined the Yankees' one-year, $13.3 million qualifying offer. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman expected Kuroda to decline, so this doesn't come as a big surprise. The 37-year-old right-hander is open to returning to the Yankees, but he's also drawing interest from teams like the Red Sox and Dodgers. The Yankees will receive a compensatory draft pick if he signs with another club.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman expects Hiroki Kuroda to decline the team's qualifying offer. For what it's worth, Kuroda said he has yet to make up his mind. The 37-year-old would make $13.3 million if he accepts, which would have been a notable bump up from his $10 million salary in 2012. But, he can get a two-year deal from someone if he wants or could decide to return to Japan.

According to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times, Hiroki Kuroda is drawing interest from "several teams," with some of them willing to offer a two-year deal. It's not surprising that teams are willing to give Kuroda two years, but it remains to be seen if he's willing to take it. The right-hander is said to prefer a one-year deal so that he can then return to Japan. The Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers are among the clubs interested in Kuroda.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com writes that free agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda appears to be the Dodgers' top choice for their rotation. The Dodgers are looking at Anibal Sanchez among other pitchers, but would really love to bring Kuroda back. The 37-year-old right-hander has also received interest from the Red Sox, so he's not exactly a sure thing to return to the Bronx next season. The expectation is that he'll turn down the Bombers' one-year, $13.3 million qualifying offer by Friday, but he is reportedly willing to sign a one-year deal.

FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi reports that the Red Sox have "reached out" to free agent Hiroki Kuroda. The Dodgers have also been linked to Kuroda, and the Yankees are sure to attempt to re-sign him. There's also a chance that the 37-year-old right-hander will simply decide to head back to his native Japan. Kuroda posted a 3.32 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 167/51 K/BB ratio in 219 2/3 innings this past season for New York.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Yankees "sense their best competition" to sign free agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda will come from Japan. Kuroda had a fantastic 2012 season with New York, but he turns 38 years old in February and may want to head back home for good. The native of Osaka, Japan has a 3.42 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in over 918 career MLB innings. Other major league teams are interested, but it sounds like Kuroda is deciding between only two destinations.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Dodgers would "love" to bring back Hiroki Kuroda. Kuroda, 37, is coming off a terrific year with the Yankees but only wants to sign a one-year deal so that he'll be able to return to Japan after the season if he chooses to do so. He seems likely to re-up with New York but will have no shortage of suitors if he decides to explore the market.

The Yankees made a one-year, $13.3 million qualifying offer to impending free agent Hiroki Kuroda. As opposed to Nick Swisher, the Yankees wouldn't mind if Kuroda accepted. There's a chance he might, as the 37-year-old is amenable to a one-year deal and the $13.3 million figure would represent a raise from the $10 million he made in 2012. Players have seven days to accept or a decline a qualifying offer.