New York's offer of $26,000,194 -- the last three digits matching his strikeout total this year -- was the highest bid among major league teams for Igawa, and it was accepted Tuesday by his Japanese team, the Hanshin Tigers.
"The Yankees are a team with a lot of tradition," Igawa said at a news conference in Osaka. "They get a lot of media attention, like the Tigers do. I was surprised to hear the team bid that much for me, and I feel like today I've taken another step toward realizing my dream."
A 27-year-old left-hander, Igawa could compete for a spot at the back of New York's rotation next season behind Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina and Randy Johnson. Carl Pavano, coming off 1½ seasons of injuries, also would be in the rotation if healthy, and the Yankees have expressed possible interest in signing free agents Ted Lilly or Gil Meche.
New York has until midnight at the end of Dec. 28 to work out a contract with Igawa's agent, Arn Tellem -- who also represents Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui. Igawa allowed a home run to the New York Mets' David Wright this month during an exhibition game between Japanese and major league All-Stars.
"We have been following Kei Igawa's very successful and accomplished career in Japan, and we are excited about the opportunity to begin the negotiating process with him," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement.
"I am very pleased to have the rights to sign him for the Yankees," owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement issued by spokesman Howard Rubenstein.
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端数の194ドルは、井川の今年の三振数。
ヤンキースでは、ワン、ムシーナ、ジョンソン、パバノに次ぐ5番手。
代理人は松井秀喜と同じ、テレム。
ヤンキースの日本人投手は伊良部に次ぎ、2人目。
スタインブレナーに太ったヒキガエルと言われる懸念もある。