Yankeetorial: It's Time to Move on Kei Igawa

Kei the Spay pitched last night at Scranton: 5-plus innings, 0 runs, 5 hits, 0 walks, 6 strikeouts.

This is his third straight solid start. He has allowed one run in 20 innings.

Over the last three years, Igawa has served as our Asian pinata. Likewise, we ripped the front office for dissing him last fall, not even offering him a cup of coffee.

He was named Scranton's 2008 pitcher of the year. Considering the otherworldly state of the Yankee pen, it's amazing that the club has never given him a shot at relieving.

Apparently, they think he's paid too much to be a reliever. (All they've squandered on others; that's a different story.) So when a slot opens, it goes to Hughes or Aceves... or Tomko.

Brett Tomko. Let that name sink in. They choose Tomko over Igawa.

OK, fine. They know more than me. Tomko over Igawa? OK. Done.

But when Igawa pitches well in Scranton, why don't the Yanks seem to care?

It is time to free the guy. Trade him. (Preferable). Promote him. (Why not?) Release him. (Worst case.) Whatever.

Remember, folks: It's not his fault that we're overpaying him.

It's our fault.

Sometimes, it's as if the front office wishes Igawa would just disappear, so they don't have to be reminded of their mistake. He's not going away.

Somebody out there must be willing to take a flier on him. He's hot right now. He's marketable. He's at his peak. TRADE HIM. TRY HIM. MOVE HIM.