Kei Igawa Offered To Twins In Santana Package?
A hat tip to WasWatching.com reader baileywalk on this one. From Postbulletin.com:
The Minnesota Twins continued exploring potential trade options for Johan Santana on Monday, picking up where they left off at last week’s winter meetings.
Meanwhile, the Twins’ talks with the Yankees remained dormant. According to a person close to the talks, Yankees lefthander Kei Igawa was one of several players the sides discussed last week, along with righthander Phil Hughes and center fielder Melky Cabrera.
Igawa has four years and $16 million remaining on his contract, and though he struggled last year, some scouts say they think he could benefit from a change of scenery.
I’ve read in some spots where people think Igawa has a case of “can’t pitch in New York.” Maybe there’s something to this? Perhaps Igawa is the Japanese Kenny Rogers?
Then again, according to Brian Cashman (when he was trying to sign Igawa):
“He’s pitched in front of big crowds and we feel he’s a back of the rotation guy. Could he be more than that? It would be nice. At the very least, he’s a 27-year-old lefty that can compete on a big stage, which he did with the Hanshin Tigers. He’s pitched in pressure spots.”
And, Brian knows pitching, right? Or, maybe not…
Perhaps Igawa is the Japanese Kenny Rogers?
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Still would be decent. Believe it or not, Rogers pitched better @ home in his brief time as a Yankee.
Rogers had one good year, one bad year coming off surgery. 1995 & 1998 were fluke years for Rogers.
~~Believe it or not, Rogers pitched better @ home in his brief time as a Yankee.~~
1996 ERA:
Home 4.27
Away 5.32
1997 ERA:
Home 5.57
Away 5.72
Let’s just say that New York eventually caught up to him.
Let’s just say that New York eventually caught up to him.
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http://tinyurl.com/25vbyr
“He (Rogers) had pitched most of 1996 with shoulder and elbow soreness and then had undergone arthroscopic procedures on both problem areas during the off season.”
Raf – FWIW, I saw Rogers pitch, in person, in the Bronx – and he was terrified to throw the ball. I’m convinced that he had issues pitching in NY.
Raf – FWIW, I saw Rogers pitch, in person, in the Bronx – and he was terrified to throw the ball. I’m convinced that he had issues pitching in NY.
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I saw him pitch both years too. Perception != reality.
The numbers are there. 1996 was in line with his stats as a full time starter (which he became in 1993), 1997 and 1998 weren’t. Combined with his shoulder & elbow issues, I’d say that had more of an effect than “NY phobia.”
Not to mention he was traded back to NY in 1999, and did well.
great to see Hank keeps his word… and i thought Hughes was out of the deal. shit.