What ever happened to Kei Igawa?

What comes to mind when you think Kei Igawa? The worst or second-to-worst move the Yankee have ever made with only Carl Pavano possibly being worse? The Japanese pitcher who was supposed to counter Boston's signing of Daisuke Matsuzaka for a much better price?

The Yankees signed Japanese RHP Kei Igawa to a 5-year, 20 million dollar contract after the 2006 season. He was 27 years old at the time. After pitching in two games for High-A, going 1-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 6 K's in 2 starts, Igawa was promoted to the majors. He made a horrendous first start, going 5 innings and giving up 7 runs, but then gave up just 2 earned runs in his next 2 starts, pitching 5.1 innings in the first start, and 6.0 innings in the second. He was giving the Yankees some hope. But, he gave up 7 runs in 4.1 innings in his next start and was skipped over his next time out. But, it just so happened when Jeff Karstens was starting instead of Igawa, he got hit by a line drive and taken out of the game. Igawa was put into the game as a reliever and pitched 6 shutout innings to get back his rotation spot. But, Igawa gave up 8 runs in 4 innings his next start, and was sent down to the minors. He returned in July and September. Overall in the majors in '07, Igawa went 1-3 with a 6.25 ERA and 53 K's in 12 starts, 2 relief appearance, and 67.2 IP. At Triple-A, Igawa went 5-4 with a 3.69 ERA and 71 K's in 11 starts and 68.1 IP. In '08, Igawa played almost the whole season in the majors besides a start and a relief appearance in the majors, during which he posted a 13.50 ERA. But, Igawa played very well at Triple-A, going 14-6 with a 3.45 ERA and 117 K's in 24 starts, 2 relief appearances, and 156.1 IP. In '09, Igawa went 10-8 with a 4.15 ERA and 105 K's in 26 starts and 145.1 IP. He didn't play any games in the majors. In '09, Igawa became the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees career win leader, not a distinction anyone would want.

In 2010, Kei Igawa is still at Triple-A. He has gone 2-1 with a 5.54 ERA and 25 K's in 5 starts, 4 relief appearances, and 26 IP. He is a bust. He has gotten worse every year in the minors. So, let's go into Pavano vs. Igawa for worst Yankee signing ever. Well, Igawa has 13 starts as a Yankee and is 2-4 with a 6.66 ERA while Pavano went 9-8 with a 5.00 ERA in 26 starts. Kei Igawa is the worse Yankee signing ever.