Time to cut bait?

by detroit yankee on Feb 29, 2008 7:25 PM EST

frontpaged by jscape

Is there any way for the Yanks to part ways with Kei Igawa? Can we get someone from Japan to kidnap him back?

The Pitching Line Score from today's USF game:

J Chamberlain 2 IP, 0 ER
I Kennedy 2 IP, 0 ER
P Hughes 1 IP, 0 ER
K Igawa 1 IP, 4 ER <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
J Marquez 1 IP, 0 ER
A Horne 1 IP, 0 ER
C Wright 1 IP, 0 ER

Only one guy gives up runs to the college team -- isn't this telling the Yankees what they already know? Igawa is, at best, a dishwasher at Denny's? Or is that Lenny's? I forget...

I can understand first time out against live hitters, but to be THAT bad?

It's seriously time to cut bait, isn't it?

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Runs?

He gave up a grand slam. I thought my station had suddenly changed to high school ball. I was like WTF?

Everyone else looked good. Joba was smoking.

"The secret of managing is to keep the guys who hate you away from the guys who are undecided." -Casey Stengel

by bxgrl1 on Feb 29, 2008 8:00 PM EST reply actions

they're saying

Phil and Joba were giving IPK a hard time for giving up a hit...I think that's hysterical. These three should grow well together if that's the case.

by detroit yankee on Mar 1, 2008 9:40 AM EST up reply actions

not yet...

unfortunately, igawa's stock is at its lowest point right now. it doesn't make sense to trade him now. ideally, if he puts up some respectable numbers in aaa, we can trade him then.

that's a big "if" though.

then again, he might find some way to drop his stock even lower.

by tombradylikesdudes on Mar 1, 2008 3:09 AM EST reply actions

AAA?

I think he'll be back in AA with Chase Wright, et al. I'd put Karstens, Rasner, Horne, Marquez, and either McCutchen or Melancon in the AAA roster.

"If you lived in my grandfather's house...and you wanted to eat, you had to be a Yankees fan." --Joe Biden

by SenorSwanky on Mar 1, 2008 7:15 PM EST up reply actions

And it's worth pointing out

Santana gave up 3ER in 2IP today.

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

by jscape2000 on Mar 1, 2008 3:35 AM EST reply actions

um...

the more important part is WHO he gave up those 3 runs to. a 3 run HR for Juan Gone. Never thought I would hear that again.

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

by stillmonster on Mar 1, 2008 3:54 AM EST up reply actions

true

but Santana's ER's were vs a professional team...not a college team and the HR was not from a college hitter with...what was it, 2 ABs/2 Ks?

ah, here it is courtesy of Pete A at lohud:

"...Baumann had two at-bats all season and struck out both times."

So we already know he can't strike anyone out; now he can't fool them out either.

by detroit yankee on Mar 1, 2008 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

Oh I don't disagree

It's time for Igawa to go, but I think we should be able to get some return on the investment.

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

by jscape2000 on Mar 1, 2008 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

it's baffling

This guy was at least a decent pitcher in Japan. How does that turn into a 7 ERA in the major leagues?

by long time listener on Mar 1, 2008 1:25 PM EST reply actions

Different strike zone

look how much the American game changed as the strike zone has shrunk. It's not about stuff because Igawa has that; it's about location in the strike zone.

You know, El Duque didn't debut with the Yankees until June of '98. He had 9 minor league starts to get a feel for the American game, and he transitioned well. I think the Yanks made a mistake by rushing Igawa into the rotation (on top of getting him at all), and then Torre and Guidry didn't have much to do with him after they decided he couldn't cut it. He's a pro athlete with a lot of pride- I hope Girardi and Eiland can get through to him.

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

by jscape2000 on Mar 1, 2008 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

I suspect

he will be among the first designated back to the minor leagues.

What bothers me about him is his "I'm not concerned" comment...I'm reading that and I'm thinking... you're...whaat? You can't get out COLLEGE hitters?

At least Johan's dinger was on a fastball up in the zone...the slammy off Igawa by the college kid was a "I just smoked yo mama's fat ass sushi slider"

poof back to the minors with you, kei

by detroit yankee on Mar 1, 2008 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

There's a few more issue

for one, he was never a very consistent pitcher in Japan, he's dominant in some seasons and mediocare in a few other. if that translate to the majors then probably it means he'll be horrible in some years (like last year) and mediocarely decent in some other year

It's definately too early to cut bait at this point. and we should always remember the (true) cliche that ST stuff are only up for reference.

For what it's worth, I'd think Zito's outting for the Giants is even more embrassing. when's the last time you saw a SP not being able to finish even 1 IP in ST?

by RollingWave on Mar 2, 2008 5:49 AM EST up reply actions