MrAndMrsFish Posted November 28, 2006 Share Posted November 28, 2006 NEW YORK ? (AP) ? The New York Yankees won the bidding for Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa when the Hanshin Tigers accepted their offer of about $25 million Tuesday. The identity of the winning team was disclosed by a baseball official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the commissioner's office had not yet made an announcement. 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, another baseball official said, also on condition of anonymity. The Yankees will have until midnight at the end of Nov. 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. The Boston Red Sox bid $51.1 million earlier this month to win the right to negotiate with Seibu Lions pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, the MVP of the World Baseball Classic. The Red Sox have until midnight on Dec. 14 to agree to a deal with Matsuzaka and his agent, Scott Boras. Also this month, 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. Guess they had to dole out half of Boston did to get half the pitcher that Boston is trying to get Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catchoftheday Posted November 28, 2006 Share Posted November 28, 2006 who? bring me Matsuzaka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Punisher Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Who cares. Their talent is not for sure yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankeefan21 Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Just something to think about - Matsui was considered the best hitter in Japan followed by Ichiro. Look what has happened in MLB. If the trend continues for pitching, I'll take Japan's 2nd best pitcher... :mischief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Altamonte Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Can you really call that a win? More like who cares! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Juanky Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Just something to think about - Matsui was considered the best hitter in Japan followed by Ichiro. Look what has happened in MLB. If the trend continues for pitching, I'll take Japan's 2nd best pitcher... :mischief *still considers Ichiro the best Japanese player* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBCMarlinsFan Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Just something to think about - Matsui was considered the best hitter in Japan followed by Ichiro. Look what has happened in MLB. If the trend continues for pitching, I'll take Japan's 2nd best pitcher... :mischief None of the scouting reports I have read on Igawa make this comparison credible. He seems to be a mid to back end of the rotation starter. The Yankees overpaid for this guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Punisher Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Just something to think about - Matsui was considered the best hitter in Japan followed by Ichiro. Look what has happened in MLB. If the trend continues for pitching, I'll take Japan's 2nd best pitcher... :mischief None of the scouting reports I have read on Igawa make this comparison credible. He seems to be a mid to back end of the rotation starter. The Yankees overpaid for this guy. don't they overpay for everyone anyway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBCMarlinsFan Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Just something to think about - Matsui was considered the best hitter in Japan followed by Ichiro. Look what has happened in MLB. If the trend continues for pitching, I'll take Japan's 2nd best pitcher... :mischief None of the scouting reports I have read on Igawa make this comparison credible. He seems to be a mid to back end of the rotation starter. The Yankees overpaid for this guy. don't they overpay for everyone anyway? They have a number of bad contracts, but this one could turn out to be a particularly bad one (between the posting cost and his MLB contract). We'll see what the final contract ends up being. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankeefan21 Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 As long as he doesn't end up being Hideki Irabu, I'm willing to give the guy a chance before passing judgement. Look at Wang. Who thought he would tie for most wins in the AL? Go ahead - raise your hands. I thought not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDon Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Just something to think about - Matsui was considered the best hitter in Japan followed by Ichiro. Look what has happened in MLB. If the trend continues for pitching, I'll take Japan's 2nd best pitcher... :mischief *still considers Ichiro the best Japanese player* *is in full agreement with Juanky* I just hope he doesnt rot in Seattle for 15 more years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Just something to think about - Matsui was considered the best hitter in Japan followed by Ichiro. Look what has happened in MLB. If the trend continues for pitching, I'll take Japan's 2nd best pitcher... :mischief *still considers Ichiro the best Japanese player* there's no question about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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