Yankees History: Rights to Hideki Irabu Purchased from Padres
Hideki Irabu claimed that he would only pitch for the New York Yankees. On this day in 1997, the San Diego Padres sold the rights to negotiate with Irabu to New York.
Back in 1996, Hideki Irabu determined that he was ready to pitch in the Majors. He had posted a 12-6 record with a 2.40 ERA and a 1.061 WHiP. In his 157.1 innings, he struck out 167 batters while issuing only 59 walks. It appeared as though Irabu would be a solid starter when he came stateside.
As his team, the Chiba Lotte Mariners, had a working agreement with the Padres, the team sold Irabu to San Diego. However, he had no intentions of pitching for the Padres, instead saying he only wanted to be a part of the Yankees. After four months of negotiations with Irabu’s representatives, San Diego had had enough.
On this day in 1997, they sent the rights to negotiate with the Japanese star to New York. In exchange, the Padres received Ruben Rivera, Rafael Medina, and $3 Million in cash. Irabu signed with the Yankees relatively quickly, inking a four year, $12.8 Million contract.
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This trade was a disaster for everyone involved. On the Padres side, Medina never appeared in a Major League game with the team, and was traded to Florida for Kevin Brown. Rivera spent four seasons in San Diego, where he hit 46 homers and stole 33 bases, but he had a terrible .204/.301/.397 batting line. At least the $3 Million was useful.
As for Irabu, it was safe to say that he did not meet expectations for the Yankees. He struggled in his first season, and then put up close to league average numbers over the next two years. However, his 29-20 record with a 4.80 ERA and a 1.362 WHiP did not impress George Steinbrenner, who referred to Irabu as a fat toad in 1999. That offseason, he was sent to the Expos.
Of all the deals made by the Expos that destroyed the franchise, this was one of the worst. Irabu essentially drank his way towards being released, just two years after Jake Westbrook, Ted Lilly, and Christian Parker were sent to New York. After a disastrous season as the Rangers closer, Irabu was out of the Majors, returning home to Japan.
Unfortunately, his story has a tragic end. He continued to struggle with alcohol, eventually being arrested in 2008 for attacking a restaurant manager after consuming 20 jugs of beer. In 2011, Irabu hung himself, ending his life at 42 years of age.
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Hideki Irabu was expected to be the next Japanese pitching sensation. Instead, he was a collosal disappointment.