Yankee Hotstove

Bye Bye Randy, We Hardly Knew You

Reports are coming out that the Yankees and Diamondbacks have reached a tentative agreement on the Randy Johnson-to-D'Backs trade.

The teams informed the commissioner's office of the specifics of the trade, a baseball official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.
Arizona would send pitcher Luis Vizcaino to the Yankees along with minor league pitcher Ross Ohlendorf and shortstop Alberto Gonzalez, another baseball official said, also on condition of anonymity. The Yankees also might receive another minor league pitcher, the official said, and would pay between $1.5 million and $2 million of Johnson's $16 million salary this year.
Teams are granted a 72-hour window by the commissioner's office to close tentative deals, but it was not clear when that time would begin.
"When we have been granted that window, we would be willing to discuss everything with the Diamondbacks," said Alan Nero, who represents Johnson along with Barry Meister. "Once that window is open, we will do our best to work out a deal."

No Micah Owings. No Nippert, Conor Jackson, nor Chad Tracy.
I guess the Yankees are not sending any money.

Talking To Kei Igawa
Kei Igawa is interviewed here by SI.com.

SI: Hideki Matsui is nicknamed Godzilla. What's your favorite Japanese film monster?
Igawa: I have none.

SI: Not even Mothra or Rodan?
Igawa: I never watch horror films.

SI: The Boston Red Sox made a Mechagodzilla-sized splash this offseason by bidding more than $51 million for the rights to Japanese ace Daisuke Matsuzaka and signing him to a $52 million, six-year contract. Did the hard-line shenanigans of his agent, Scott Boras, hurt Matsuzaka's image in Japan?
Igawa: I have no idea. Please ask Daisuke directly.

SI: How have you fared in head-to-head competition against Matsuzaka?
Igawa: We pitched against each other during the Inter-League season last year. I don't remember the details, but we both did our job as the starters.

SI: Are you guys friends?
Igawa: Since we pitched in different leagues, I've never talked to him at length. But we'll both have the opportunity from now on.

SI: Who's your favorite American ballplayer?
Igawa: I have a tremendous respect for all big leaguers. I do not have a particular favorite.

SI: How about a personal hero?
Igawa: The goalkeeper for Belgium's national soccer team.

SI: And your favorite historic figure?
Igawa: Mitsukuni Tokugawa, a feudal ruler known for his political influence in the early Edo Period.

SI: Tokugawa was a gourmand who claimed to be one of the first Japanese to eat ramen. What's the most exotic food in your fridge?
Igawa: Water.

SI: What has been the greatest embarrassment in your life?
Igawa: I've lost my wallet four times. I got it back every single time.

SI: What do you like most about New York City?
Igawa: The energy. People are filled with pride.

SI: And dislike?
Igawa: No manners in driving. Lots of horns.

SI: What did you spend your first paycheck on? Igawa: In Japan, I bought candy. In the U.S., I left tips at the St. Regis.

SI: What kind of hitters give you the most trouble? Igawa: Fast-running singles hitters. They make me throw a lot of pitches.

SI: What kind do you most like to face? Igawa: Free-swinging power hitters.

SI: What impresses you most about the American game? Igawa: The greatness of your baseball tradition. I'd like to learn the culture itself.

SI: What's the worst thing that has ever been written about you? Igawa: Ask the Japanese media.

SI: Your favorite film actor? Igawa: Ken Watanabe of The Last Samurai and Letters from Iwo Jima.

SI: Do you have a secret ambition? Igawa: That's secret.

SI: What is the question are you most asked at parties? Igawa: "When did you start playing baseball?"

SI: Your favorite book? Igawa: The Chrysanthemum and the Bat, Robert Whiting's book about Japanese baseball.

SI: What's the coolest part of your job? Igawa: Pitching complete games.

SI: And your motto? Igawa: Quest.

He seems devoid of a sense of humour. He's not even humanly interesting. Heck, he's downright boring. I think he'll fit right in.