Igawa drawing interest?

by losjanks on Jul 28, 2007 2:35 PM EDT

Yesterday, Michael Kay of ESPN radio cited a Buster Olney report that Kei Igawa is drawing interest around the league (about halfway through the podcast).

And just this morning MLB Trade Rumors speculated about the M's interest in the recently demoted Yankee pitcher, linking to a Seattle Times post which referenced an uncredited TV report.

Apparently the Mariners have some interest in twice-demoted Yankees starter Kei Igawa, according to an uncited TV report. The report pleased Ichiro Suzuki and Kenji Johjima.

Igawa is locked up through 2011, which may or may not be a positive. He earns another $1.5MM this year plus $4MM annually through the end of the contract. The posting fee situation ensures that Igawa's salary is really cheap, the price a team might pay for a semi-utility guy like Mark DeRosa. If Igawa can be league average in the comfy confines of Safeco, he's a bargain. More likely he'd have value to an NL team.

I don't know about anyone else, but I've given up on Igawa. Almost anything we can get back for him is worth it in my eyes. Maybe we can get a couple of mid-level position player prospects from Seattle, assuming they have some.

I tend to agree with the folks at MTR, though, that he would seem to have more value to an NL team. I don't think Igawa has the stuff to make it in the AL right now.

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Nice job.....

by anaconda on Jul 28, 2007 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

Although

MLB trade rumors is the one source I trust less than George King, I wouldn't mind being rid of Igawa. You've got to get some value back for him though. I'd rather have him spend a year working in the minor leagues before giving up on him completely.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jul 28, 2007 2:47 PM EDT reply actions

The Japanese League

Is generally rated to be a more challenging league than AAA, a sort of quadruple-A, if you will. He's definitely proven himself there. Right now the problem he is perceived to have is consistency - so that's likely where the value comes from in another team's eyes. They feel they can correct that, and/or provide an environment he'll be more comfortable in than in NY.

If Igawa bounces back and forth between the minors and the majors or even works in the minors without making much progress over the next year - his value drops to nil.

After watching this guy this year I don't think he can cut it, at least not in the Bronx. If we can get some prospects and restock our depleted (at least in regards to position players) farm system, then perhaps we can salvage what appears to be a sinking ship. But we have to act sooner rather than later.

by losjanks on Jul 28, 2007 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Olney compared him to Contreras

In his column today. But it is not even close to being a good one. At least Cont. showed signs of brilliance when he pitched for the Yanks. Igawa has shown nothing and at the bargain price salary I urge other teams to take a chance on him...

by John Amato on Jul 28, 2007 4:19 PM EDT reply actions

it's time

It's time to cut our losses while we can still get something back for him. I never really buy too much into a pitcher have good "stuff", because I feel their effectiveness as a pitcher far more complex than simply their "stuff." However Igawa shows neither anything even remotely close to good "stuff" nor any ability to compete as an effective pitcher by confusing hitters.

Even if he can eventually learn how to throw a baseball, it probably would never happen in NY (atleast not with the yankees). I dont think he is a Contreras-type, maybe more Jeff Weaver. AKA a pitcher who sucks, always has sucked, and always will suck, but will suck slightly less with a team thats not the Yankees.

"It's great to be young and a Yankee"

by stillmonster on Jul 28, 2007 4:41 PM EDT reply actions

i agree

well put.

by Clutch like Leyritz on Jul 28, 2007 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Tim Dierkes,

the guy who runs MLB Trade Rumors, is my hero...lol

--Bobby Mcnally (alias)

by bobbymcnally on Jul 28, 2007 10:24 PM EDT reply actions

I'll help him pack ...

The faster we get this "Blower" outta' pinstripes the better. Someone mentioned Igawa doesn't have the stuff. I don't think it's stuff so much as it's location and demeanor.

Being a successful pitcher is more about hitting spots than throwing 95mph missles (see Farnsworth). Igawa has strikeouts, but he can't consistently locate. He's always up and in the middle (a bad recipe if you aren't a blower).

He also looks absolutely defeated--even in warm-ups. Seriously, he looks like a whipped puppy. MLB hitters see that and lick their chops.

I'm thrilled an MLB team has interest... but I'm not so sure I'd believe it. He's been so abysmal, I can't fathom an actual MLB team (outside of the Pirates) even considering him for anything more than a parking attendant.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Jul 30, 2007 2:12 PM EDT reply actions