Daily Sports reports that the Seattle Mariners are looking at Hisashi Iwakuma and Tsuyoshi Wada as potential 5th starters.

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Hiroki Kuroda remains a top priority for the LA Dodgers.  Via MLB.com:

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti met Wednesday with the agent for pitcher Aaron Harang, one of the free agents the Dodgers are considering as a replacement in the rotation for Hiroki Kuroda.

Having already acknowledged that his 2012 payroll will be reduced from the $110 million of 2011 (perhaps down to $90 million), Colletti said that Kuroda remains a top priority, but the decision isn't the pitcher's alone.

"It's half and half. It's not only him, it's us," Colletti said, making a vague reference to his ability to fit Kuroda's $12 million salary into a reduced budget.

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Nikkan Sports mentions that Bob Melvin is preparing for the possibility that he might lose Hideki Matsui.  Via MLB.com:

"The outfield is obviously an issue because of the fact that all our guys are potentially going away, including [Hideki] Matsui," manager Bob Melvin said this week. "That's an area we're going to have to take a hard look at. We'll see what we have internally and then look at possible other options."

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According to Nikkan Sports, Doug Melvin told reporters that he plans on reaching out to Takashi Saito's agent sometime after 11/21 and offering him an incentive-laden deal, similar to the one he had this past season.

Sponichi also mentions that there's an ESPN article says 5 or more teams (Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, LA Angels, and LA Dodgers) could be interested in Saito.

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The latest on Tsuyoshi Nishioka, from The Pioneer Press' John Shipley:

Though Nishioka started the season at second base - he broke his leg getting taken out by the Yankees' Nick Swisher on an attempted double play - he apparently won't get another shot there in 2012. Though Ryan reiterated Wednesday the Twins are giving Nishioka a "clean slate," the GM indicated that it's shortstop or bust for the Twins' first Japanese-born player.

Asked whether Nishioka would be in the mix at second, Ryan said Alexi Casilla will be the heir apparent there, adding, "We're going to bring (Nishioka) in as a shortstop, and may the best man win."

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