Igawa Could be a Kei

Kei Igawa may wind up being the best bargain of the winter even better than the fantastic bargain of Angels sending the best set up man in the game-Brendan Donnelly- to Boston for a broken down minor league lefty. Donnelly like most Angels pitchers benefited from a high level of defense and Scioscia calling pitch sequences. He may merely be excellent in Boston rather than fantastic as he was in California. Igawa with the Yankee offense and relief may wind up starting 30 games and winning 12-15 games. Beckett won 15 for the Sox last season for a lot more money. Igawa will have to learn to compete in MLB and adjust to the hitters and the strike zone but he has the tools to do it--a strong personality, a decent fast ball, excellent control and a good change up. Once hitters time his fastball he will be able to get swings and misses with his change of speed. Johnson will probably be traded but I don't see the Yankees signing Zito. There will be a great deal of angst but $140 m is just too much to invest in one pitcher. The Yanks can trade for better from Florida or even Arizona and promote Hughes and Humberto Sanchez in the second half of the season.