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New York Yankees: The 10 biggest mistakes the Yankees ever made

By Ryan Morik

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: Jacoby Ellsbury #22 of the New York Yankees reacts in pain after hitting the ball off his foot in an MLB baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 30, 2017 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Yankees won 2-1. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: Jacoby Ellsbury #22 of the New York Yankees reacts in pain after hitting the ball off his foot in an MLB baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 30, 2017 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Yankees won 2-1. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 13: Kei Igawa of the New York Yankees pitches during the game against the Oakland Athletics at the McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California on April 13, 2007. The Athletics defeated the Yankees 5-4. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 13: Kei Igawa of the New York Yankees pitches during the game against the Oakland Athletics at the McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California on April 13, 2007. The Athletics defeated the Yankees 5-4. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

1. Signing Kei Igawa

Here it is. The worst mistake the Yankees ever made.

After the 2006 season the Yankees knew they were in deep trouble with Carl Pavano, Randy Johnson left and Mike Mussina’s time was running out.

They brought back Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte, but no one knew what they had left in the tank.

So they got one of Japan’s best pitchers.

The Yankees bought out Igawa from the Hanshin Tigers for over $26 million, and then signed him to a five-year, $20 million contract.

In his MLB debut, he allowed seven runs on eight hits in five innings while walking three and striking out just two. In his next two starts, he allowed five runs (four earned) over 11.1 innings, just to go right back to allowing seven runs again in his next start. In his fifth start, he tossed six shutout innings. In his next start, he allowed eight runs on nine hits in four innings.

He had a K/9 of 6.2 in his first six starts. He was sent to Scranton, later claimed by the Padres on waivers, but ultimately brought back by the Yankees. In 14 MLB starts his first year, he posted a 6.25 ERA.

He started the 2008 season in the minors. And in his first pro start that year, he allowed six runs on 11 hits in three innings. Igawa’s two big league appearances in 2008 were the last of his career.

So after the Yankees spent $46 million on him, he pitched in just 16 games, with a 6.66 ERA (fittingly cursed), 1.43 K/BB, a 6.7 K/9, and a 1.76 WHIP.

However, Igawa is the all-time wins leader in Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders’ history.

Next. Baseball and the Babe couldn’t escape Spanish Flu pandemic. dark

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