Hanshin Tigers lefty Kei Igawa arrived back in Japan on Sunday after reaching a basic agreement and concluding the final stages of contract talks on a five-year, $20 million deal with the New York Yankees.
"It was a busy time for me, so I'm relieved," said a slightly tired-looking Igawa after arriving at Narita airport. The 27-year-old departed for the United States last Wednesday to hammer out details of his contract.
He paid a visit to Yankee Stadium and also underwent a physical. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman dined with Igawa and apparently gave him assurances of his full support.
Igawa, whose deal is scheduled to be formally announced on Wednesday, Japan time, will become the third Japanese to strike a deal with a major league team this offseason via the so-called posting system, following right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka and infielder Akinori Iwamura. Igawa went 14-9 this year with a 2.97 earned run average, posting double-digit wins for the fifth straight year.