Irabu’s Lawyer Threatens Padres

A day after San Diego was awarded the rights to Hideki Irabu, his lawyer vowed that the Japanese pitcher would retire rather than sign with the Padres.

“This player will never sign any contract with San Diego--ever,” Jean Afterman said in Phoenix. “When he does get the club of his choice, there will be a no-trade clause--no trade to San Diego. Not because of the players, but because the ownership and management of San Diego treated him like a piece of property, a piece of meat.”

Irabu, a 27-year-old right-hander who led Japan’s Pacific League in ERA the last two seasons, wants to sign with the Yankees and New York wants to sign him. But his team in Japan, the Chiba Lotte Marines, agreed in January to give the Padres exclusive negotiating rights.

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