THE STORY
In December 2006, the New York Yankees secured the rights to Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa by winning a $26 million bid. They signed him to a five-year, $20 million contract. Igawa's tenure with the Yankees was marked by underperformance, leading to his demotion to the minor leagues and limited major league appearances.
TEAMS / PEOPLE:
New York Yankees
WHY IT MATTERS
The signing is often cited as a significant misstep in the Yankees' front office decisions, highlighting challenges in scouting and integrating international talent.