Yankees "more upbeat" on Kuroda coming back

As we head into the final week of November, some things are starting to become a little more clear as to what moves the Yankees will be able to make this offseason -- of course, it won't become 100 percent clear until we know what happens with Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano.

One of those moves would be re-signing Hiroki Kuroda, the Yankees' best pitcher for most pf last season.

Joel Sherman of the NY Post noted in a column Saturday night that the Yankees have moved away from the "gloomy" thoughts that they would not have Kuroda next season, and are now "more upbeat" that Kuroda will decided to pitch one more season.

Kuroda declined a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer from the Yankees earlier this month, and he is expected to soon make a decision on what he wants to do next.

Reportedly, his options are to play one more season -- and it would likely be with the Yankees --, go back to Japan to finish his career where he started it, or just retire altogether.

Kuroda, who will turn 39 in February, pitched well when in last season when the Yankees really needed him. CC Sabathia struggled all season, Ivan Nova was hot and cold, and injuries affected the rotation at times.

But the wear and tear of the long season got to him around mid-August as he went 0-6 with a 6.56 ERA in his final eight starts. He finished at 11-13 with a 3.31 ERA in 201.1 innings.

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