Rays lock up Iwamura

[riverside sluggers]

http://blogs.tampabay.com/rays/2006/12/iwamura_a_ray_1.html

 

The Rays are set to officially announce the signing of Akinori Iwamura, a 3 year contract worth $7.5-8.5 per with an option for a 4th year. That option is only up to Iwamura if he wishes to continue playing in the ughly stadium that is the Trop. Yankees' Kei Igawa, who could be in Triple A or bullpen (haha $25 million to talk to him, sorry cant get over that), should be announced next week.

 

The Red Sox's lower than expected signing of D-Mat, 6 years/$52 million is getting praises from other teams Im betting on. Lets say if the Sox bowed down to prospect of $15-20 per on him. Guess what Zito's contract becomes even higher than the current estimated $100 million price tag. It also helped as evidenced the signing of Iwamura and soon even the rival Yankees for Igawa

[jacksonianmarch]

Igawa will cost 10mil per yr for 4 yrs most likely. The red sox have spent 17 mil a yr for 6 yrs. Both are risks.

[riverside sluggers]

At the same token the Yankees will be paying just over $16 million a yr for 4 years... for a pitcher who could start the season off in Triple A, could be a 5th starter, could just be a relief pitcher in the end. Not one of Cashman's smartest moves

 

Yes both are risks, but dont tell me that they are on the same level

[jacksonianmarch]

it wont be 16 mil a yr. The lux tax portion will only be on the 4 mil he would make per season, hence adding 1.5mil to the bill. Add that to the 4 yrs and you have a guy who will likely cost 46 mil over 4 yrs rather than 17-18 mil a yr over 6 yrs.

[riverside sluggers]

Your post before was of course to parade how the Yankees will be spending less on Igawa than Matsuzaka. Then you go on to say both are risks (no-brainer but Daiskuke is the better bet). Again there is no comparison between these 2 players except that they are Japanese and havent pitched in the states before. Next thing we'll see Im betting is threads of "Could Igawa be better in the states than D-Mat?"

[jacksonianmarch]

Your post before was of course to parade how the Yankees will be spending less on Igawa than Matsuzaka. Then you go on to say both are risks (no-brainer but Daiskuke is the better bet). Again there is no comparison between these 2 players except that they are Japanese and havent pitched in the states before. Next thing we'll see Im betting is threads of "Could Igawa be better in the states than D-Mat?"

 

wont be happening. I dont think we see Igawa till midseason. Matsuzaka should be prtty damn good by then.

[RavenOfProphecy]

Tampa Bay got a pretty solid player for a good price. I'm kind of surprised as to how cheap these Japanese players are signing for. Obviously, Matsuzaka was the better deal, but Iwamura was extremely productive last year and Igawa did well in Japan last year, although he got beat up by the American team in the WBC.

[elsrbueno]

Tampa Bay got a pretty solid player for a good price. I'm kind of surprised as to how cheap these Japanese players are signing for. Obviously' date=' Matsuzaka was the better deal, but Iwamura was extremely productive last year and Igawa did well in Japan last year, although he got beat up by the American team in the WBC.[/quote']

 

I think they sign so cheaply for 2 reasons:

 

For many Japanese players, their goal isn't to get the highest payday but to realize their dream and play in the Major Leagues.

 

Also, they're an unproven commodity. They've played at the highest level in Japanese professional baseball but they haven't proven themselves as Major Leaguers. Kaz Matsui and Hideki Irabu didn't do anything for the value of future Japanese players coming over.