Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

**AI_Franchise** · 11-15-2006, 07:17 PM

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

They should, no doubt about it, but not to the extent that the Mariners or Yankees are.

**CWood2** · 11-15-2006, 07:19 PM

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Originally posted by cjonesfan921

Won't matter because the RedSox will be making millions of this guy anyway, just like the Yanks with Matsui. Especially if he does coem to the MLB and does well.

Ideally, and they're already translating "Red Sox Nation" onto Japanese marketing collateral if it hasn't started days and/or weeks ago.

What they sign him for, marketability aside, needs to be based on what he brings as a pitcher in the game of baseball. It will exceed the deal Beckett got, but at 26 years old without having pitched in the bigs but for the WBC (which was a joke), it can't get too far into the teens/year. I don't remember if the Yanks had to buy Matsui out of his situation, but I think $51M allows us to pay Matsuzaka for his ability on the field from here on out.

**rsnomar05** · 11-15-2006, 07:31 PM

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Originally posted by AI_Franchise

They should, no doubt about it, but not to the extent that the Mariners or Yankees are.

And why not? Matsuzaka is a star in Japan on the level of Ichiro and Matsui. NESN Japan is going to make them millions upon millions and will heat up the Sox/Yanks rivalry in Japan with Matsui vs. Matsuzaka. Of course the Sox are going to gain marketing to the extent of the Yanks and Mariners. They may not make as much over the long term if Matsuzaka flops, but their marketing deals will be as big as the other Japanese stars.

**NYJets** · 11-15-2006, 08:19 PM

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Originally posted by rsnomar05

And why not? Matsuzaka is a star in Japan on the level of Ichiro and Matsui. NESN Japan is going to make them millions upon millions and will heat up the Sox/Yanks rivalry in Japan with Matsui vs. Matsuzaka. Of course the Sox are going to gain marketing to the extent of the Yanks and Mariners. They may not make as much over the long term if Matsuzaka flops, but their marketing deals will be as big as the other Japanese stars.

I don't follow Japanese baseball at all, but wasn't Matsui like a god back there, and Ichiro was very popular as well. I'm sure Matsuzaka is a big star, but I'm not sure he's on the level of those too. I could be wrong.

Also, I don't know if they will make as much money selling the games to Japan TV since Matsuzaka doesn't play every day.

**Stu** · 11-15-2006, 10:19 PM

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

You also have to understand that pretty much everything they make is getting shared with the other 30 teams in baseball.

They made this move because they needed a starter and had a chance to get one without giving up a Papelbon or Lester to get him. Marketing is probably about 4th or 5th on their list.

**Lintyfresh85** · 11-15-2006, 11:01 PM

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Originally posted by camulos

Exactly. If the Red Sox don't negotiate in good faith, I wouldn't be surprised if Selig went as far as awarding him to the next highest bidder. The whole point of the WBC was to make MLB and international sport. Selig is going to do everything in his power to get foreign stars here

Selig can't do anything like that... The Sox won the bidding, thus they have the option of doing whatever they want with D-Matt for the next season.. if they want to keep him on the shelf for another year that's their choice...

They paid their money to the Japanese team, and won the bidding, thus they either sign the kid or they let him play another year of Japanese ball and let some team pick him up next year after another 200 innings added to his right arm.

**Beantown** · 11-15-2006, 11:04 PM

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Originally posted by camulos

They made this move because they needed a starter and had a chance to get one without giving up a Papelbon or Lester to get him. Marketing is probably about 4th or 5th on their list.

Exactly...marketing had something to do with it, no doubt, but it's no where near the top. They need a pitcher, and this guy is young, and has the ability to be a very good pitcher if it translates well. The best part? They didn't have to give up anyone. Money isn't a concern of the Red Sox, so getting a guy like this for only money is perfect.

**Thrasha** · 11-15-2006, 11:20 PM

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I've heard conflicting reports about this.

Do the Red Sox recoup the 50 million if negotiations breakdown and their is no agreement between the two sides? Or is it gone no matter what?

**NYJets** · 11-15-2006, 11:20 PM

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Originally posted by Superstar

Selig can't do anything like that... The Sox won the bidding, thus they have the option of doing whatever they want with D-Matt for the next season.. if they want to keep him on the shelf for another year that's their choice...

They paid their money to the Japanese team, and won the bidding, thus they either sign the kid or they let him play another year of Japanese ball and let some team pick him up next year after another 200 innings added to his right arm.

I'm pretty sure Selig can do something like that. If the Red Sox don't make a "good faith" effort to sign him, Selig can throw out their bid and award the rights to the next highest team. How they determine a good faith effort, I don't know.

And if they don't sign him, they don't pay the Lions anything.

The Red Sox do want him, there would be no reason to do this to just block the Yankees from getting him. If he got to be a free agent, he'd be a Yankee next year. If they just wanted to keep him from being a Yankee, I think they'd rather just take their chances and hope the Mets or another team wins the bidding.

**Beantown** · 11-15-2006, 11:21 PM

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Yes.

If there's no deal, they get the money back.

**SportsTop** · 11-15-2006, 11:24 PM

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Originally posted by Longhorn

Exactly...marketing had something to do with it, no doubt, but it's no where near the top. They need a pitcher, and this guy is young, and has the ability to be a very good pitcher if it translates well. The best part? They didn't have to give up anyone. Money isn't a concern of the Red Sox, so getting a guy like this for only money is perfect.

Money isn't a concern? I would think that (what amounts to) $33 million/year for 3 years would be cause for concern.

The Yankees will be paying half that amount for Clemens if they can get him to come back for one more year. I think the Red Sox just took themselves out of that race.

**Thrasha** · 11-15-2006, 11:29 PM

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Originally posted by Squint

Money isn't a concern? I would think that (what amounts to) $33 million/year for 3 years would be cause for concern.

The Yankees will be paying half that amount for Clemens if they can get him to come back for one more year. I think the Red Sox just took themselves out of that race.

Something about netting a 26 year old potential stud sounds more attractive than adding a 44 year old starting pitcher who has dominated the AAAA hitters of the league the past two years.

**SportsTop** · 11-15-2006, 11:34 PM

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Originally posted by Thrasha

Something about netting a 26 year old potential stud sounds more attractive than adding a 44 year old starting pitcher who has dominated the AAAA hitters of the league the past two years.

I'd say dominating "AAAA" hitters and a proven MLB track record is a safer bet than a guy who has dominated "AA" level talent.

And again, at $33 million/year (estimated in total) for three years you have to wonder if he is worth it. How many season's have Japanese pitchers usually been successful in this league before fizzling out?

**Thrasha** · 11-15-2006, 11:51 PM

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Originally posted by Squint

I'd say dominating "AAAA" hitters and a proven MLB track record is a safer bet than a guy who has dominated "AA" level talent.

And again, at $33 million/year (estimated in total) for three years you have to wonder if he is worth it. How many season's have Japanese pitchers usually been successful in this league before fizzling out?

This is a move for the future as well as this coming season.

What will Clemens do after next year for the Red Sox? Hunt?

**SportsTop** · 11-16-2006, 12:01 AM

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Originally posted by Thrasha

This is a move for the future as well as this coming season.

What will Clemens do after next year for the Red Sox? Hunt?

What future? Tieing up nearly $100 million on an unproven player is a move for the future? A risky one to say the least. Not to mention that if this guy pans out, he'll likely be 29 when he becomes a free agent. So expect another huge salary from this guy in three more years (again....if he pans out).

Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

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