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Cashman won't own up to the Igawa mistake

Posted by Chris H. at 1:05 pm 38 Responses »
Mar 082010

Here’s an interesting item on Kei Igawa from the NY Times‘ Joe LaPointe:

Despite having two seasons left on a five-year, $20 million contract and despite retiring all five hitters in his spring debut Friday, Igawa is mostly out of sight and pretty much out of mind. He is rarely mentioned in conversations about the fifth slot in the starting rotation, a competition that involves as many as five candidates.

“That’s as it should be,” General Manager Brian Cashman said of Igawa’s diminished status. “He’s got to try to reinvent himself. He hasn’t lived up to what our scouting assessments were. Maybe that’s not his fault.”

While Igawa deserves some blame for his current situation, perhaps for not adapting to American baseball in a way that would increase his likelihood of success here, I think it’s somewhat cowardly for Brian Cashman to essentially fault Igawa for his ineffectual state. His statement, that Igawa “hasn’t lived up to what our scouting assessments were,” sounds like unfair criticism. There seems to be a large gap between what Igawa actually is, and what Cashman’s glowing scouting reports pegged him to be. While I do think Cashman has been a strong GM for the Yankees, the Igawa signing was clearly a mistake on his part – probably the biggest of his career – and he should acknowledge that (an ambiguous remark like, “Maybe that’s not his fault,” is not an admission). Under Cashman’s watch, the scouting profiles the team had on Igawa were either riddled with inaccuracies or just ignorant of his Major League potential.

To be fair to Kei Igawa, that’s not his fault. He is what he is. Instead, that’s on Brian Cashman.

Photo by the Boston Globe

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Igawa to work out of the bullpen this year

Posted by Chris H. at 5:00 pm 5 Responses »
Feb 232010

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.

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

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Yanks meeting Kikuchi?

Posted by Chris H. at 6:00 pm 10 Responses »
Oct 142009

From NPB:

Sanspo has gotten a hold of Yusei Kikuchi’s meeting schedule over the rest of the month, leading up to the draft. Here’s the breakdown:

Oct 16: meetings with Hanshin, Seibu, and Orix
Oct 17: Chunichi, Yakult, Nippon Ham, Chiba Lotte, Hiroshima, Rakuten and others
Oct 19: begin meeting with MLB clubs
Oct 20: Cleveland Indians, others
Oct 22: conclude meetings

Nikkan Sports lists the MLB clubs stopping by as the Giants, Mets, Dodgers, Yankees, Rangers, Mariners and Indians.

I’ve written about Kikuchi before, as he is an enticing left-handed arm that is in a rather difficult position (the Japanese amateur draft or Major League Baseball?). The Yankees are in on him, though the Rangers seem to be his biggest suitor. If you want to learn a bit more about Yusei Kikuchi, check out NPB’s scouting report. It’s riddled with interesting goodies. For instance, did you know that Kikuchi’s middle name is Igawa? Okay, just kidding…

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Igawa optioned

Posted by Chris H. at 1:46 pm No Responses »
Mar 232009

Props to RAB. For his sake (and for ours), just trade the man.

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Chamberlain, A-Jax, and Albaladejo Impress, Igawa Falters

Posted by Moshe Mandel at 6:44 pm No Responses »
Mar 222009

A few notable performances from the last two days:

1) Joba Chamberlain seems to be rounding into form, allowing just one run on four hits and five K’s in 3.1 innings. Although he still needs to do some work in regard to finishing off batters and reducing his pitch count, he seems to be about ready to slot into the 5th starter role. He needs a few more starts to get stretched out to 100 pitches, at which point the Yankees will use him sparingly over the first month to conserve his innings.

2) Jonathan Albaladejo, who will be the subject of a longer post at some point tomorrow, continued his excellent spring with 1.2 scoreless innings. The Yankees are going to have a number of relievers who may not make the team despite having MLB experience as well as excellent springs, with Albie and Dave Robertson leading that pack.

3) Edwar Ramirez and Jose Veras both faltered a bit, but neither looked poor enough to loosen their grip on a bullpen spot. Mariano Rivera was his dominant self, needing 12 pitches to retire the side.

4) Kei Igawa ended his hopeless bid for a roster spot, allowing one run on 4 hits and 4 walks in 2.2 innings. Have a nice season in Scranton, Kei.

5) Austin Jackson is hitting .324 and slugging .588 in spring training. If Gardner and Cabrera both falter, we may see Jackson before the end of this season. He tripled today, and looks to be a very exciting player. The Yankees may actually be alright in center field.

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Kei Igawa still exists

Posted by Chris H. at 5:25 pm 7 Responses »
Mar 112009

In three games this spring, Kei Igawa has pitched 5 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits and no walks while striking out 4. Chad Jennings took note of this and pointed out the following:

If it weren’t for the fact that he’s, you know, Kei Igawa, I think we’d be discussing him as a legitimate long relief option.

Thus far, Igawa has looked better than Alfredo Aceves and Dan Giese. Actually, Brett Tomko is the only possible long-reliever that is putting up good numbers (7 IP, 5 K, 2 ER). Ben over at RAB asks the $4 million question (that’s how much Igawa is making this year) — would you consider Igawa for the bullpen? I think he could, indeed, work as a long-reliever. Now, am I blinded by my youthful optimism or does this not work pragmatically?

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