Yanks bid 26 million for Kei Igawa
softparade
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The New York Yankees won the bidding for Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa when the Hanshin Tigers accepted their offer of about $26 million Tuesday.
After the bidding closed Monday, the Tigers were informed of the amount of the high bid, but not which team made it. The New York Mets bid about $15 million for Igawa, a baseball official said on condition of anonymity because the amounts of losing bids are not disclosed.
The Yankees' winning bid was first reported by ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.
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.
Igawa faced a touring team of MLB stars this past month, which included Mets stars Jose Reyes and David Wright. Igawa, who faced the MLB stars after a month layoff, gave up a home run to Wright and walked six batters in Japan's 7-2 loss.
Reyes was impressed with Igawa.
"He has good stuff," Reyes told Newsday. "He throws hard and has a good changeup."
Wright, however, gave Igawa mixed reviews.
"I just don't know," Wright told Newsday. "I'd have to see him when he's in midseason form. You send a guy up there after a month layoff and you can't get a handle on a guy. But as far as a lefty goes, he has a sneaky fastball. I thought he threw, for a lefty, an average to above-average fastball, an above-average changeup, and his slider was a little flat. But with a month off, who knows? Could be any number of reasons."
The Boston Red Sox bid $51.1 million to win the right to negotiate with Seibu Lions pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, the MVP of the World Baseball Classic. After winning the auction this week, the Red Sox have until midnight on Dec. 14 to agree to a deal with Matsuzaka and his agent, Scott Boras.
Also this week, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays won the rights to Japanese infielder Akinori Iwamura of the Yakult Swallows with a bid of about $4.5 million.
After the bidding closed Monday, the Tigers were informed of the amount of the high bid, but not which team made it. The New York Mets bid about $15 million for Igawa, a baseball official said on condition of anonymity because the amounts of losing bids are not disclosed.
The Yankees' winning bid was first reported by ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.
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.
Igawa faced a touring team of MLB stars this past month, which included Mets stars Jose Reyes and David Wright. Igawa, who faced the MLB stars after a month layoff, gave up a home run to Wright and walked six batters in Japan's 7-2 loss.
Reyes was impressed with Igawa.
"He has good stuff," Reyes told Newsday. "He throws hard and has a good changeup."
Wright, however, gave Igawa mixed reviews.
"I just don't know," Wright told Newsday. "I'd have to see him when he's in midseason form. You send a guy up there after a month layoff and you can't get a handle on a guy. But as far as a lefty goes, he has a sneaky fastball. I thought he threw, for a lefty, an average to above-average fastball, an above-average changeup, and his slider was a little flat. But with a month off, who knows? Could be any number of reasons."
The Boston Red Sox bid $51.1 million to win the right to negotiate with Seibu Lions pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, the MVP of the World Baseball Classic. After winning the auction this week, the Red Sox have until midnight on Dec. 14 to agree to a deal with Matsuzaka and his agent, Scott Boras.
Also this week, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays won the rights to Japanese infielder Akinori Iwamura of the Yakult Swallows with a bid of about $4.5 million.
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
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Is this wasting millions on a unproven quantity such as a Daisuke Matsuzaka??? Or is it just paying market price for a pitcher HALF as good as Daisuke Matsuzaka ?????
Interesting.
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
Does anyone have info on him besides what has come out today ? Anyone seen him pitch at all ?
The yanks need pitching, so either way he is worth the gamble.
-- Yogi Berra
<< <i>So,
Is this wasting millions on a unproven quantity such as a Daisuke Matsuzaka??? Or is it just paying market price for a pitcher HALF as good as Daisuke Matsuzaka ?????
Interesting. >>
I think the latter - that is, if he's even half as good as Matsuzaka. I'd never even heard of him until this, but it looks like he is a junk-ball type pitcher, more suited to relief than the starting rotation.
I found this -
<< <i>According to SI.com, the winning bid for Japanese left-hander Kei Igawa was for about $25 million.
Incredible. Igawa's stuff has drawn mixed reviews, and while he might be well ahead of MLB hitters in his first season in the U.S., it seems unlikely that he'll settle in as more than a third or fourth starter. If it costs a total of $40 million to bring him in for three years, we have a new candidate for the biggest bust of the winter. >>
And this -
<< <i>NY Times - “He’s nowhere near Matsuzaka,” said a Pacific Rim scout who was granted anonymity because he was not authorized to share scouting reports. “He’s down the list a ways as far as his stuff and his ability to make pitches. But he’s left-handed and he could fit in on a club that needs someone in the fourth or fifth slot.”
>>
And this -
<< <i>Murray Chass NY Times - The Yankees would be ecstatic if they could get twice the pitcher for half the price. Right now, though, they have the poor man’s Matsuzaka.
Not a team to let money burn a hole in its pockets, the Yankees took the $33 million they did not spend on a winning bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka, a 26-year-old right-hander, and used it to bid for another Japanese pitcher, Kei Igawa, a 27-year-old left-hander.
The winning bid, $26 million, pulled the Yankees even with the Red Sox in the new off-season game of post the pitcher.
The Yankees don’t expect Igawa’s contract to be an expensive one, maybe four years at $4 million to $4.5 million a year. That’s because he is viewed as being no higher than No. 3 in the rotation, perhaps No. 4. >>
Doesn't sound that good to me.
Regardless, it will be interesting to compare how the two make out in MLB. This could be a comparison talked about for years to come. BUT...that is IF the Bosox can sign Matsuzaka. From what I have read on MLB.com, they are a mountain apart from an agreement! (Mount Fugi was the mountain of choice by MLB.com!) Reported is that Boras wants 14 million a year for his client. A good guess is that Bosox are probably offering in the 9-10 million per year range?
I wonder how much the two sides are actually interested in signing this year. If the Red Sox feel they have bid too much and dont want to invest in the guy, they may not budge on their offer sending him back to Japan and protecting themselves from him signing with any other team. Boras probably doesnt care either because if Matsuzaka comes back as a free agent, he will likely get someone to sign him for the 14 million or more they want. The real loser in all of this will be the team he is under contract with now.
<< <i>I wonder how much the two sides are actually interested in signing this year >>
What? Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino is in Japan right now, and an offer has already been made. One thing is for certain, Boston wants this guy right now, and Matsuzaka wants to pitch in the US. It's just a matter of time.
<< <i>
<< <i>I wonder how much the two sides are actually interested in signing this year >>
What? Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino is in Japan right now, and an offer has already been made. One thing is for certain, Boston wants this guy right now, and Matsuzaka wants to pitch in the US. It's just a matter of time. >>
Of course it's a no brainer that Matsuzaka wants to and WILL pitch in the US. My question is...will it be for Boston THIS year? Go take a look at the articles on MLB.com and you will see they are a long ways off. And I NEVER said that Boston DIDNT want him...but I am saying I dont think Boston wants to pay nearly what Boras is asking and that could make the deal go down the tubes. I was also throwing in a theory that if Boston feels they made a mistake by bidding this much then this would be a great way to either get out of the deal or sign him for what THEY want to give.
IF he does sign, I could see it happening on the 24th hour of the last day. We have to keep things exciting, right?
Barndog, I could be wrong but I believe what I have read is that Masuzaka becomes a free agent next year allowing him to sign with any team in Japan or the US.
Edited to add....the Red Sox can make ANY offer at ANY time within the 30 days but that doesnt mean the offer is close!
<< <i>I think the latter - that is, if he's even half as good as Matsuzaka. I'd never even heard of him until this, but it looks like he is a junk-ball type pitcher, more suited to relief than the starting rotation. >>
Igawa went 14-9 last season with a 2.97 ERA. He tied for the Central League lead in strikeouts -- he won strikeout titles in 2002 and 2004.
I don't think he is a junkball pitcher. He has a fastball in the low 90's and a good curve according to the spots I have read. You don't win three strikeout titles by being a junkball thrower in MLB, Japan, or on the moon.
Matsuzaka K's the last 3 years.
2004 127
2005 226
2006 200
Igawa K's the last three years
2004 228
2005 145
2006 184
Igawa actually has 4 more K's then Matsuzaka in the last three years combined. So, JUNKBALL pitcher ??? .... No
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
<< <i>Barndog, I could be wrong but I believe what I have read is that Masuzaka becomes a free agent next year allowing him to sign with any team in Japan or the US >>
Nope, I was wrong. I don't know why I thought it was three years, maybe that is for some other player(s) from Japan? I pulled this from ESPN...bottom line is that Matsuzaka would have to wait just one year:
"Boston bid $51.1 million for the right to negotiate with Matsuzaka, the MVP of the World Baseball Classic in March. The team has until the end of Dec. 14 to sign him or he would return to the Seibu Lions for another season before he could be posted again."
Of course, there would be nothing to stop Boston (or any other team, for that matter) from posting a huge bid again and then playing "fair" hardball with Boras. There's a lot of pressure on Matsuzaka and his team (Seibu Lions) to make the deal happen this year. Pressure matters in Japan a whole lot more than it does in the US -- cultural thing, perhaps?
--- just figured out where I got the three year thing...the Yankees' guy (Igawa) would have to play three more years in Japan (if not signed by NYY) before he became a free agent. Somehow that three year thing stuck in my head.
Steve
From LI Newsday:
<< <i>The Yankees' large posting bid surprised the baseball world because scouts have not been overly impressed with the 27-year-old. One international scout who has seen Igawa pitch multiple times told Newsday, "I wouldn't mind having him on my team - he's no dud. But wow. That's a large chunk of change for a guy who is ... not going to knock your eyes out."
The Yankees, however, obviously saw something in the Hanshin Tigers lefthander to think they were better off investing in him as opposed to some of the middle-of-the-rotation pitchers who have been receiving big-money deals this offseason. This move likely rules out free agents such as Ted Lilly and Gil Meche. >>
<< <i>That's interesting about the strikeouts, Dan - but the overall word on this guy seems less than stellar. >>
Yeah, that is the general consensus from what I have gathered. Although "less than stellar" might be the wrong phrase to use. If this guy could pitch upwards of 200 innings and give the Yanks 13-16 wins ..... I WILL TAKE IT.
His last 6 seasons in Japan realized 200 innings every season except for two when he pitched 172 and 192 innings.
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
If he doesnt pan out the Yankees can eat the money and not really be affected by it. If he ends up being a good pitcher they make out great and look smart for picking him up.
-- Yogi Berra