Igawa deal fizzles as Yankees pull lefty off waivers

There was no 24th-hour reversal in the talks between the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres.

The Yankees withdrew Kei Igawa from trade waivers before Tuesday's 2 p.m. ET 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. The Yankees chose the latter option, in the hopes of rebuilding Igawa for the 2008 season.

Although Igawa has been a tremendous disappointment for the Yankees, going 2-3 with a 6.79 ERA in 12 appearances, many scouts who tracked him in Japan thought Igawa 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 National League, and particularly in San Diego's Petco Park, a stadium better suited for pitchers.

Buster Olney is a senior baseball writer for ESPN The Magazine.

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