Pettitte's shoulder is not the question. People are questioning an elbow that allowed him to make 68 starts the last 2 yrs. His production is a worry, but it is not like a guy who has never been here before. Aside from a 15 start stretch of s*** to start the yr, he has been a dominant pitcher over the last 68 starts. I find it very funny that a guy who is still in his prime who has shoveled s*** down the throats of the sox for 9 years is all of a sudden a question mark. He'll have a low 4's era and will eat innings. Bank it.
As for Igawa, whomever told you he hasnt a plus pitch is lying. He has a plus curve, a MLB average fastball and a plus changeup. As with other japanese pitchers, he has about 5 pitches, but 2 are plus and 3 total are MLB pitches. The reason why I say he is a lock for 200IP is that he has done it to a T in the Japanese league. He has more durability than Matsuzaka.
Over the last 6 years, Igawa has made 22 more starts than Matsuzaka, which is 3/4 of a japanese season. They have about the same IP/start. Igawa at 198IP/season, Matsuzaka 175IP/season. Igawa has averaged 187K per season as well. Matsuzaka 177. I will NEVER say that Igawa is in Matsuzaka's class, but give Igawa his due. Matsuzaka has missed large chunks of 2 out of the last 5 years. Igawa has been healthy for every season since 2001. The idea of Igawa throwing 200IP in 33-35 starts rather than 29 in a Japanese season is not foreign. What he produces is foreign.