Igawa Sent Down Again

Well, so much for straightening out Kei Igawa. After a promising four innings last month upon his return from the minors, the lefthander from Japan reverted right back to his old up-in-the-zone self. Last night's less-than-stellar outing was the last straw. He's been sent down again, to AAA Scranton-Wilkes-Barre.

Is a trade the next move for Igawa? ESPN's Buster Olney thinks so. I was listening to The Michael Kay Show this afternoon when Kay announced that Olney had called in to say that several teams are interested in acquiring Igawa. The actual teams were not revealed, but Olney said their interest lies in the fact that they think Igawa's up-in-the zone stuff will translate better in bigger ballparks, plus they feel they can handle his $20 million contract. (The Yankees paid the lion's share of Igawa's money in their posting fee.)

Bigger ballparks? Kay said that Igawa couldn't even pitch in the Grand Canyon. That's mean, but I agree with his general premise. No matter what size ballpark Kei Igawa pitches in the balls will go flying out as long as he stays up in the zone.

The Lady