Why Kei Igawa? Why the bid? Why him? Why NOW?

From ESPN.com:

The Yankees won the bidding for Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney is reporting.

The winning bid is expected to be about $25 million. An announcement is expected Tuesday night.

After the bidding closed Monday, the Tigers were informed of the amount of the high bid, but not which team made it, The Associated Press reported. The New York Mets bid about $15 million for Igawa, another baseball official told The AP, on condition of anonymity.

The Yankees will have until midnight at the end of Dec. 28 to work out a contract with the 27-year-old left-hander. Igawa is represented by Arn Tellem, also the agent for Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui.

The Yankees pay Hanshin only if they reach an agreement for Igawa.

Igawa went 14-9 last season with a 2.97 ERA in Japan. He struck out 194 to tie for the Central League lead, adding to the strikeout titles he won in 2002 and 2004.

Igawa has an 86-60 record with a 3.15 ERA. He would have to play in Japan for three more seasons before he could become a free agent.

*tries to breathe*

We just made a ridiculous bid for a pitcher who may not be a decent 4th starter...

*breathes*

I mean, I can understand why we made the bid... we need a lefty, no doubt about it... and depending on the contract we give him, he may be just about 36-40 mil for 4 years, the same deal we would offer Lilly...

Most Japanese pitchers have a ERA of 1 point or higher on their first years in the MLB... for example, a Japanese pitcher pitches a 2.00 ERA in the Japanese league can possibly see his ERA go up to 3.00 or higher...

2.97 ERA from last year would be up to 3.97 or higher... Lilly's career ERA is 4.60... looking at it objectively, it may seem that it's a decent deal... he can pitch more innings than Wright (but then again, I can)... he is a lefty... and silly to say, but look at him!



^ He's called "Iron Nerves" on his website (linked on the photo)... and he looks like he can beat some people up if a brawl is needed... personally, I think he looks like a less-skilled Japanese version of Randy Johnson...

This deal may be a decent deal, it just hinges on a few things...

1. The contract the Yankees offer...

2. If the Yankees really want to keep him...

and 3. If Igawa really wants to pitch for the Yankees...

If the Yankees offer a contract of... well... let's say, a 5 mil per year for 4 years... we would spend 40-45 mil... oh, what am I saying? This is still ridiculous...

Just like Matsuzaka, the deal may pay dividends in the future, and heck, Igawa already has a friend in Matsui to look to... but still... this appears and is a ridiculous bid...

It may work, but right now, it seems absolutely ridiculous... *sighs*

Imagine that: the first big splash the Yankees make in this off-season is a pitcher who has been projected to be a 4th/5th starter... I do hope the Yankees get him on a short 2-year deal, especially with Hughes, Sanchez, and Clippard due to come up in the next few years... but we'll see...

*head spins* I can't believe it, but I guess I can smile and say: "At least, it's not 51.1 million"... the Yankees finally decided to spend some money this year... however, many other teams are trying to catch up to the Yankees in outspending...

I have some faith that this will all work out in the end... but I wouldn't be surprised if Kei Igawa turns out to be the next "Fat Toad"... let's all just hope for the best, shall we?

Happy reading!

B(rent)