16
2009
The Mets Are Closing In On Igarashi
An article by Former Writers
Finally, some hot stove activity on the Mets front as Mets.com is reporting that the Mets are close to a two-year deal with Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi.
Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post says he talked to a Mets official who believes the team is going to sign Igarashi.
According to the NPB Tracker, his agent Arn Tellem was quoted as as saying,
“I think Igarashi is a member of the Mets. We’re working out the fine points of the contract.”
Although the deal is not official, there is still some major competition coming from the Red Sox who seem to have a history with Japanese players, so I don’t think the Mets signing of Igarashi is completely a done deal yet.
Igarashi is said to be capable of being a legitimate setup man in the majors. He is a power pitcher who features a mid 90s fastball.
I feel the Mets definitely need a reliever to handle the 8th inning, and to hand the ball off to Frankie Rodriguez, although it is unknown if Igarashi, a guy who has never pitched in the majors, can be that guy.
If the deal features a low annual salary (which many have reported it does), I think it would be a nice signing.
The 30 year old Igarashi was 3-2 with a 3.19 ERA in 56 games with the Yakult Swallows last season.
About the Author: Former Writers
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Whoooooooooooooooooooooooo cares!!!
I care. The Mets have a lot of holes to fill and set up man was one of them.
If the Red Sox wanted him than he must be worth a flyer.
Hey Roy Halladay had a cold in his press conference…Maybe a sign to come…LOl JK
I am still of the belief that the Mets have one more wild card up their sleave. Omar is not one to hide his emtions well (no kidding!) and he seemed WAY too calm. If Parnell was on his way to being K-Rod’s set up man and now the bring in Igarashi (Hey, I spelled it right!) that leaves open the possibility that Parnell could be traded.
No one knows for sure if the Red Sox are trying to persue A. Gonzalez. In addition, things have been relatively quiet on that front. The only team that has been linked to him is the Red Sox.
Or the Tigers. Last I checked, they had a first baseman that played in the NL East once upon a time. In addition, they have an overpriced pitcher that would do nicely behind Johan.
I say again, Omar is WAAAAY too calm. I personally wanted to march on Citi Field after “Black Monday”. But, because life is too short and (if they end up sucking) there are more important things to concern myself with, I will preach calm with this off season. Let it play out.
BeeWhy, Igarashi may be the key (and not the Kei) to the Mets making additional moves. This “Tropical Depression” might be leading us to the Perfect Storm. I hope that I will live long enough to see it.
I dont think Parnell is expendable. Remember, Igarashi has control issues and has never pitched in the majors. You just don’t know what you’re going to get. Parnell will probably still be around as you can never have too many hard throwing pitchers in your bullpen!
Tellem is a real smart guy, not a wise guy like Scott You-know-who.
He negotiated contracts for:
Chase Utley 7 year, $85 million
Hideki Matsui 4 years, $52 million
Mike Mussina 6-year, $88.5 million
Albert Belle 5-year $65 million
Jason Giambi 7-year $120 million
I don’t think Ryota Igarashi’s contract will be at those stratospheric heights.
Given the Mets excellent success w/ Japanese players, such as Shinjo, Matsui, and Takahashi, all Mets fans must be excited…NOT!!!
Yes, the problem with this is who do the Mets have to coach this guy so his talents can be used properly and developed further?
I should have mentioned that the other problem is that our pitching staff already issues too many bases on balls and now we are going after a pitcher with a tendency to be wild. Is Warthen going to fix that when he couldn’t even fix it in his own ptiching career?