Igawa: Yankees rights with $25M bid

[1908]

Kyodo News[/url]"]Hanshin gives Igawa go-ahead to try out in majors

OSAKA, Nov. 10 (15:42)

 

The Hanshin Tigers on Friday gave key rotation pitcher Kei Igawa the green light to try for a move to the major leagues through the so-called posting system.

 

Igawa becomes the third Japanese player this offseason to be handed the opportunity to play in North America via the same route, following Seibu Lions ace Daisuke Matsuzaka and Yakult Swallows infielder Akinori Iwamura.

 

The Tigers had begun to soften their stand after initially saying they would only let the 27-year-old move to the major leagues after he has obtained free agency.

 

Major league clubs present sealed bids for Japanese players under the posting system, which is effectively the only way for Igawa to make a major league switch this offseason.

 

Igawa would have had to play in Japan in at least three more seasons before becoming a free agent.

 

The left-hander had repeatedly tried to convince Hanshin to put him up for auction through the bidding system over there, only to have his requests turned down by the Central League club.

 

Igawa went 14-9 in the 2006 season with a 2.97 earned run average. He struck out 194 to tie Chunichi Dragons right-hander Kenshin Kawakami for the league lead, adding to the strikeout titles he won in 2002 and 2004.

Three all-star players from NPB posted in one offseason. Never would've believed it.

[10man]

hey, the cubs need all the starting pitching they can get. i say come one come all, buy one take one.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Any chance, Fukudome could be the next?

[1908]

Any chance, Fukudome could be the next?

No buzz to that effect, and he's never asked to be posted. Matsuzaka, Iwamura and Igawa had all asked to be posted repeatedly leading up to this season.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Any chance, Fukudome could be the next?

No buzz to that effect, and he's never asked to be posted. Matsuzaka, Iwamura and Igawa had all asked to be posted repeatedly leading up to this season.

 

:cry:

[CUBZ99]

How long before we find out who had the winning bid?

[Brian]

How long before we find out who had the winning bid?

 

bidding hasn't started yet.

[Laura]

Phil Rogers latest column says Igawa is expected to be posted on Monday (Nov. 20).

[johnnyba99]

Igawa was posted today. Beacuse of Thanksgiving bids aren't due until the 27th according to rotoworld.

[snoodmonger]

are we still expected to enter the bidding?

[WrigleyField 22]

are we still expected to enter the bidding?

 

I would think we'd at least throw a token offer of a few million.

[Uber]

The Braves won't be involved in the bidding process for left-hander Kei Igawa.

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reported last month that the Braves, seemingly above all other teams, were targeting Igawa. Obviously, that wasn't the case.

 

That's an interesting development.

[Butterscup1679666578]

What's the scouting report on Igawa? Would he be a better fit than Lilly/Meche/Padilla?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

What's the scouting report on Igawa?

 

From what I've read/remember, think Jamie Moyer.

[XZero771679666304]

What's the scouting report on Igawa? Would he be a better fit than Lilly/Meche/Padilla?

 

Here

 

I don't know how much that helps, but it's something.

[XZero771679666304]

Here's something more substantive.

[VanceJergins]

Any word on this fellow?

[Vinestal]

XM radio Homeplate has been reporting that there will be an anouncement at 5pm est this evening as to who won the bidding.

[RyCubsFan]

XM radio Homeplate has been reporting that there will be an anouncement at 5pm est this evening as to who won the bidding.

 

Fingers crossed. I'd be excited if the Cubs won the bidding. It's about time they enter the Japanese market. It'd also be one less rotation hole to fill!

 

I like the attitude that Igawa appears to have. He and Z would be fun to watch.

 

On an unrelated note, Vinestal, who is that in your avatar?

[Vinestal]

XM radio Homeplate has been reporting that there will be an anouncement at 5pm est this evening as to who won the bidding.

 

Fingers crossed. I'd be excited if the Cubs won the bidding. It's about time they enter the Japanese market. It'd also be one less rotation hole to fill!

 

I like the attitude that Igawa appears to have. He and Z would be fun to watch.

 

On an unrelated note, Vinestal, who is that in your avatar?

 

That would be Mark DeRosa, Ive taken up being his 1 man fan club sense everyone else seems to hate him.

[VanceJergins]

XM radio Homeplate has been reporting that there will be an anouncement at 5pm est this evening as to who won the bidding.

 

Fingers crossed. I'd be excited if the Cubs won the bidding. It's about time they enter the Japanese market. It'd also be one less rotation hole to fill!

 

I like the attitude that Igawa appears to have. He and Z would be fun to watch.

 

On an unrelated note, Vinestal, who is that in your avatar?

 

That would be Mark DeRosa, Ive taken up being his 1 man fan club sense everyone else seems to hate him.

 

I like him and will continue to unless he gives me good reason not to.

[ctcf]

XM radio Homeplate has been reporting that there will be an anouncement at 5pm est this evening as to who won the bidding.

 

Fingers crossed. I'd be excited if the Cubs won the bidding. It's about time they enter the Japanese market. It'd also be one less rotation hole to fill!

 

I like the attitude that Igawa appears to have. He and Z would be fun to watch.

 

On an unrelated note, Vinestal, who is that in your avatar?

 

That would be Mark DeRosa, Ive taken up being his 1 man fan club sense everyone else seems to hate him.

 

I like him and will continue to unless he gives me good reason not to.

 

I like him as well, I try my best to like all the cubs and usually do unless they go all Neifi on us.

 

Also, do we even know if the Cubs bid on this guy?

[Jehrico]

XM radio Homeplate has been reporting that there will be an anouncement at 5pm est this evening as to who won the bidding.

 

Fingers crossed. I'd be excited if the Cubs won the bidding. It's about time they enter the Japanese market. It'd also be one less rotation hole to fill!

 

I like the attitude that Igawa appears to have. He and Z would be fun to watch.

 

On an unrelated note, Vinestal, who is that in your avatar?

 

That would be Mark DeRosa, Ive taken up being his 1 man fan club sense everyone else seems to hate him.

 

I like him and will continue to unless he gives me good reason not to.

 

I like him as well, I try my best to like all the cubs and usually do unless they go all Neifi on us.

Which seems to happen more often than not...

[killthegoat06]

How good do you guys think Igawa will be? Would he be a stud 3 pitcher? If not, why do we even want him? Hill is a great 4 and Prior/Miller is an awesome 5.

[baseball7897]

Im going to say the Cubs win the bid for Igawa.

 

I like the fact in attacks the hitters very aggressively. Sounds like a Mark Buehrle with the average fastball, solid changeup, and the breaking ball he can throw in any count.