Looks like the Yankees won the bidding to negotiate with Japanese lefty Kei Igawa for $25 million. It was only a matter of time before Cashman threw some money around.
In other news, the Brewers are closing in on a deal with Craig Counsell. (I’m not a fan: once around was enough for me.) That’s right on the heels of hearing that Counsell was destined for San Diego; now, it would seem that Counsell’s original deal–two years of playing second base for the Padres–now will go to Tony Graffanino, who Doug Melvin had wanted to bring back to Milwaukee as a utility guy. The Brewers also resigned Brian Shouse, who was eligible for arbitration.
By Jeff Sackmann