Matsuzaka to Boston: DONE DEAL!

[VJCPatriot]

SI has reported that the Sox have signed Daisuke Matsuzaka to a 6 year 52 million dollar deal. The deal has escalator clauses that may raise the total value up to 60 million. Red Sox fans rejoice!

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/12/13/matsuzaka.signs/index.html

 

[DarrylS]

If those numbers are correct, that is pretty good value for a starting pitcher.. never doubted it would not be done.

 

[patriotspride]

Its not done yet .

 

[maverick4]

I am ecstatiic. Dice-K is the real deal.
He is the next Pedro, and I don't think I'm exaggerating.

 

[milwaukeebeers44]

Wow, I had heard 7 years $126 (incl the $51.1 for negotiations).

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/

But as of an hour ago, Henry said no deal yet

 

[mgcolby]

I don't know much about him other than the stats put up in the media. I just feel a disapointment coming on. First of all there is no way that he will be Pedro. The guy had an era over 2 in the Japanese league Pedro was consistently in the 2's throughout his time in Boston he even had a sub 2.0 year, I highly doubt the overall talent level is even close to the AL.

Not to mention all of the media pressure and the expectations that will be on him. I think it is almost an unfair situation for him to come into. If he succeeds then he is both an extremely talented pitcher and posses a lot of mental toughness. Remember the last time a pitcher was in a similar situation? That didn't turn out so good for the Yankees and they didn't have to spend 51.1 million just to negotiate with him.

 

[DarrylS]

I don't know much about him other than the stats put up in the media. I just feel a disapointment coming on. First of all there is no way that he will be Pedro. The guy had an era over 2 in the Japanese league Pedro was consistently in the 2's throughout his time in Boston he even had a sub 2.0 year, I highly doubt the overall talent level is even close to the AL.

Not to mention all of the media pressure and the expectations that will be on him. I think it is almost an unfair situation for him to come into. If he succeeds then he is both an extremely talented pitcher and posses a lot of mental toughness. Remember the last time a pitcher was in a similar situation? That didn't turn out so good for the Yankees and they didn't have to spend 51.1 million just to negotiate with him.

The 51.1 million does not count towards the luxury tax, and it is felt in some sports business circles that all of this and more will be recovered by the "branding" of the Red Sox in Japan... that is what they say anyways.

 

[HAMMERMILL]

If he's signed,and close to as advertised, the sox should have the best 1-2-3 starting rotation in all of baseball.
Would hate to see them trade manny,we all know what he is,a little bit off center at times but...
ortiz,rameriz,drew could be special.
Papelbon might have to go back to the closer's role.

 

[mgcolby]

The 51.1 million does not count towards the luxury tax, and it is felt in some sports business circles that all of this and more will be recovered by the "branding" of the Red Sox in Japan... that is what they say anyways.

I know and I agree with what you wrote. I think that is why they were willing to "risk" this much money on what really amounts to an unknown quantity. I hope the guy comes in and pitches lights out right out of the gate both for the Sox sake and his own. I don't think I have to tell you what will happen if he doesn't.

Again I just think this guy has way to much expectations on him. Even if he is basically the number 3 guy behind Beckett and Schilling the fans are going to expect this guy to come in and be Pedro (as already proclaimed in this thread). That is a ridiculous expectation in my mind.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Well expectations are high. But they should be for what the Sox spent. The Sox look at Daisuke Masuzaka as their Ace of the future or they wouldn't make such a heavy investment.

But this guy is not without credentials. He was outstanding in the World Baseball Classic. This is the pitcher that helped Japan to the WBC win over Cuba.

He is probably considered the most talented player yet to come out of the Pacific.

Well it may take him a little time to adjust to the American style of baseball. But hopefully he will adjust relatively quickly. Oh and one nice thing to note is that the Japanese league he played in DID have DHs so that's at least one thing he is already used to.

 

[sdaniels7114]

He'll start out well but that won't tell us much. Pitchers have the advantage when pitcher and batter don't know each other.

I'm getting pumped and jacked for Baseball and it hasn't even really snowed here yet

 

[brdmaverick]

well, it's about time they got the deal done. Now let's just hope that the guy is not a bust.

 

[DarrylS]

Aside from Zito, who would not do well in Fenway, did not see another choice for the RS to significantly improve their rotation.. this guy, if he remains healthy, will be here for 6 years.. that is good stuff for us.

Still looks like good value to me, throw out the 51.1, as they will get that back in other revenue.

 

[sdaniels7114]

...throw out the 51.1, as they will get that back in other revenue.

If he succeeds yes. If he pulls a BK Kim on us then those blue hats with the red B on 'em will be hats of shame in Japan. Nobody will buy them.

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

Expectations anywhere close to Pedro are ridiculous and an insult to Pedro. Pedro had the greatest season ever for a pitcher, and that season wasn't even a fluke. We'll never see another Pedro.

At the same time any mention of Hideki Irabu or BK Kim is silly an irrelevant.

Hideo Nomo is a reasonable expectation. I know I'd be happy with that. For whatever it's worth Erestes Destrade or whatever his name is said that Nomo was better than Daisuke (then again Destrade is paid by ESPN so they'll interview him even if he has no clue what he's talking about - think Steve Phillips). Hopefully Matsuzaka becomes a perennial Cy candidate but you just can't expect that from anyone.

The deal is great. A pitcher like him on the market would probably cost you something like $90M. The total payout was more, but the taxable payout is a lot less. They might make up the posting fee simply through savings on the contract and luxury tax, they'll definitely make it up when you add in the ancillary benefits of signing him.

Oh, and as for the search for a closer Paplebon can't close. His arm didn't handle it too well and he's too important to use in an increased injury risk scenario. Too bad, because as much as I want to see him start he'd more than answer the team's biggest deficiency.

 

[satz]

103 Million is 43 more than brady and 3 more than Peyton.Man this guy is going to shutout every game he plays for the money they spend.

 

[bakes781]

If he's signed,and close to as advertised, the sox should have the best 1-2-3 starting rotation in all of baseball.
Would hate to see them trade manny,we all know what he is,a little bit off center at times but...
ortiz,rameriz,drew could be special.
Papelbon might have to go back to the closer's role.

I would think they'd be less inclined to trade Manny now as they were looking to add another starter ie: a Brad Penny as part of any deal for Ramirez. I would rather see Papelbon moved to the rotation, but they may not have a choice. He seemed to really embrace the closer role though.

 

[Tunescribe]

Well, whoop-de doo. The Desperate Housewives get another player. There goes Patriots talk on WEEI for the rest of the season. :bricks:

 

[mikiemo83]

I would trade Beckett for a Closer, sign Roger, use Wake in a long relief role and expect Lester Back mid-season as a July 31st type of deal

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

satz - You can't compare MLB and NFL salaries. MLB has a strong union, no cap, and only 25 guys on the roster.

mikiemo83 - Beckett has ace "stuff", is 26, signed for 4(?) years, and a starter. You don't trade a guy like that for a closer unless you can get someone special. You certainly don't do it for someone like Gonzalez or Cordero. You trade replacable guys like Coco or Wily Mo and prospects for a closer.

Besides, you can never have enough starters. Injuries happen.