According to Joel Sherman of the NY Post, in a last-ditch effort to extract some level of value from Japanese southpaw, Kei Igawa, who ultimately cost the team over $46 million (posting fee and a four-year contract) and forced the front office to reevaluate its scouting program, the Yankees have decided to use Igawa strictly as a reliever this spring. Sherman also adds that the 30-year old will continue to work out of the bullpen while with Scranton, as well.
If there is no value to be had from Igawa as a starter, then it makes sense to try him as a reliever and, frankly, I am surprised that the Yankees have not tried this earlier, as it is an idea I have pondered since 2007. Igawa’s minor-league numbers against lefties are strong – 3.25 FIP, 7.09 K/9, 1.49 BB/9 – and would likely improve as a reliever. If the Yankees are not comfortable with Boone Logan, then maybe Igawa could get a shot later this season as the second lefty out of the bullpen. At this point, the biggest issue is whether or not he deserves a spot on the roster.
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The reason that it hasn’t been tried sooner is he’s not much more successful facing Lefties than he is Righties.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=igawake01&year=Career&t=p#plato
So making him a LOOGY is out. You just have to hope his stuff plays up in the bullpen. Steve S.(Quote)
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Chris H. Reply:
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:24 pm
I don’t think we can glean anything from his major league splits, which are based on fewer than 75 innings pitched. That’s a sample size issue. His minor league splits have a lot more innings to look at and the move seems smart based on them. Chris H.(Quote)
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I love this move and expect it last year.He’s pretty tough on lefties and will throw harder an inning or batter at a time. -Leftylarry(Quote)
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and if he sucks, Chan Ho Park would probably be more than willing to use his super wheelhouse kick on him. RollingWave(Quote)
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How would this move impact the luxury tax? I have heard this several times, but I was under the impression that since he was not on the 40 Man roster he does not count against the tax. Since Igawa makes $5M per year, wouldn’t putting him on the ML roster cost the Yanks an additional 2M? Lou(Quote)
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