Sayonara Darrell

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick is reporting that the Yankees have sold Darrell Rasner to a Japanese team for $1 million.

Rasner, 27, expects to sign a two-year deal with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Pacific League, agent Matt Sosnick said.

Sosnick said he and Rasner recently approached New York general manager Brian Cashman and told him that Rasner would like to pitch in Japan, and that Cashman and scout Hiroshi Abei helped facilitate the deal.

"Brian made a big effort to make it happen," Sosnick said.

"He really bent over backwards to make this work for Darrell and his family."

Rasner was 5-10 with a 5.40 ERA in 24 games - 20 starts - for the Yankees in 2008.

I guess he figures he can make more money in Japan. And being that Kei Igawa was a star out there he'll probably dominate. So this should be a good move for Rasner and his family.

This move also helps the Yankees. It will free up a spot on the 40-man roster which the Yankees can use to protect someone from the rule-5 draft. Rasner was also likely going to head to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start the '09 season. Now with him gone that spot can be used on a pitcher with more talent and potential.