Depressed Fan

Randy Johnson will no longer be the only lefthanded Yakee pitcher with a distinctly white-trash, 80's haircut. According to The Daily Yomiuri, Japanese defector Kei Igawa will bring his services to The Bronx, along with his mullet.

The Yomiuri report puts the value of the contract at $20 million for five years. Add the $26 million the Yanks paid for the rights to negotiate with the 27 year-old pitcher and it comes out to a little over $9 million per year. It's insane that $9 million per year doesn't seem outrageous, but this winter it's practically a bargain. Of course, it's only a bargain if he can even make the team, and contribute in some way, which isn't a given since he he's never thrown a pitch in anger in the Major Leagues.

I think the Yanks need to rethink their hair policy. They make a big deal about not allowing mullets, much to the chagrin of Johnson, Giambi and Damon, but they allow the modified mullet. Either make them get a man's haircut, or let them grow it out. I hate the half-mullet. Especially when they put blonde highlights in it. I mean, come on. And if you're going to ban facial hair, the first thing on the list should be the bushy mustache. Banning beards but allowing mustaches is completely un-American. Porn stars and state troopers are the only men who should be allowed to wear a mustache.

Enough ranting: It's not clear where Igawa will fit into the Yanks' plans. I suppose if the season started today the rotation would be Mussina, Wang, Pettitte, Unit and then Pavano and Igawa "battling" for the five spot. The only thing required to wrestle the spot from Pavano in my mind would be a pulse.