Igawa deal appears dead

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Unless there is a 24th hour reversal in the talks between the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres, the Yankees intend to withdraw Kei Igawa from trade waivers by Tuesday's 2 p.m. trade deadline, ending conversations between the teams about a deal involving the left-handed pitcher. The Padres were awarded the waiver claim to Igawa on Friday, and at that point, there were three possible resolutions -- the Yankees could have simply handed the pitcher (and what is left of his five-year, $20 million contract) to the Padres; the Padres and Yankees could have worked out a trade, which they talked about in July and continued to discuss over the weekend; or the Yankees had the option of withdrawing Igawa from waivers, which is what they apparently will do, in the hopes of rebuilding the left-hander for 2008. Although Igawa has been a tremendous disappointment for the Yankees, going 2-3 with a 6.79 ERA, many scouts who tracked him in Japan thought he would be effective as a No. 4 or No. 5 starter. One talent evaluator said Friday that he thinks Igawa would fit much better in the NL -- and particularly in San Diego's Petco Park, a place better suited for pitchers.

Looks like perf will get his wish.