Dodgers ink Kuroda

GM Colletti lands Japanese All-Star

Fulfilling one of their major offseason goals, the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to terms with Japanese righthander Hiroki Kuroda on a three-year, $35.2 million contract.

Kuroda, who turns 33 in February, passed a physical examination yesterday and will be introduced today at a Dodger Stadium news conference.

"Kuroda was arguably the best starting pitcher on the free agent market and will be a great addition to our staff," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said. "There was a lot of competition for a pitcher of his ilk, and we're thrilled that he's chosen to become a Dodger and to make Los Angeles his home."

Seattle, Arizona, and Kansas City were among the teams bidding for Kuroda's services.

Kuroda, an All-Star the last three seasons, spent the past 11 seasons with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the Japanese Central League, where he had a 103-89 record and 3.69 ERA in 271 games. Kuroda went 12-8 with a 3.56 ERA in 26 games last season.

Kuroda is friends with Dodgers closer Takashi Saito, and the two are represented in Japan by the same sports agency.

Colletti said last week he hadn't seen Kuroda pitch in person, but, added, "The right people have seen him."

Padres get Edmonds

Jim Edmonds is returning to Southern California after eight seasons in the Midwest, eager to prove he's healthy and still an everyday player. The San Diego Padres obtained Edmonds, 37, and $2 million from the Cardinals in exchange for minor league third baseman David Freese. "I'm kind of shocked but excited because I get to be in Southern California next to my family and play for a contending team in a beautiful ballpark," Edmonds said. Although the Padres had targeted the center fielder since the end of the season, the deal came about quickly after the agent for Mike Cameron broke off talks Friday. "It just happened to be a perfect fit," said Edmonds, who recently opened a restaurant near Busch Stadium. "We're certainly a lot better off today than we were yesterday," said Padres general manager Kevin Towers, who finally landed an outfielder after being spurned by three others - Cameron, Milton Bradley, and Kosuke Fukudome - in less than a week. "Our biggest concern was having a solid defender in center field. Jimmy's one of the better ones in the game, a Gold Glover, and should be able to cover the gaps." After the Cardinals won the 2006 World Series, the four-time All-Star had operations on his right shoulder and left toe. He hit .252 with 12 homers and 53 RBIs - his lowest totals since 1999 with the Angels. An eight-time Gold Glove winner, Edmonds said he feels "100 percent for the first time in a while." . . . The Washington Nationals signed lefthanded reliever Ray King and utility infielder Pete Orr to minor league contracts . . . The New York Mets will raise ticket prices about 20 percent next season, reflecting their high payroll and upcoming move to a new ballpark.