Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

[GBrushTWood]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

As I said, this is what happens when there are very few dominating pitchers. The mere possibility that a mysterious player from Japan can transition and contribute league best performance is worth the risk that he craps out, to all these teams at least. Over half the teams in the league have the money. I've seen tons of team names surfacing in rumors: Angels, Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Red Sox (no official word, but I'm positive they are in it).

I think the Boras factor in the upcoming negotiations with the winning team is a potential hurdle, but I also imagine the Seibu Lions will put some degree of pressure on Boras to accept a contract. Obviously, those dudes want their $25 million bones (which they do not get if Boras can't reach an agreement on a contract with winning bidder).

I'm surprised by the adversity towards Matsuzaka coming from here. He has the potential to be really damn good. No acquisition isn't tied with inherent risks..

[SPTO]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

As for all the people saying he projects as a number 1 talent wise, that is fine. To pay him #1 dollars without more than an hour in the majors is ludacris.

Not really, the J-Leagues are almost on a par with the majors IMO. I would say that in most respects what you see over there are AAAA players over there. It's not like what it was in the 1980s when washed up superstars would go there and put up monster numbers.

As far as comparing Matasuzaka to Irabu and Nomo, I think that's a bit unfair. I believe Nomo had been pitching for something like 10 years in the J-leagues before he went to MLB. You could tell that he was bound to break down at some point with that funky pitching motion of his.

Irabu was just a bum that coasted on the money he was given and was surprisingly unconditioned compared to most Japanese players who are for the most part some of the most highly conditioned and hard working players out there.

Matasuzaka is also the same age as Nomo when he broke into the Majors so if his arm doesn't fall off from the amount of work he's done in the J-Leagues I think he can be a pretty damn good pitcher. Actually I think he'll be a test case for my and others pet theory that it doesn't really matter how many pitches are thrown and how many innings you throw it only matters in how you take care of yourself.

[AI_Franchise]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Would be suprised if he's anything but a #3 pitcher...the most.

[bkfount]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog...3dstateChanged

interesting article about what a team could do to get Matsuzaka. Although I could see seling stripping the rights from that team and giving it to the next highest bidder.

[Stu]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

The Boston Red Sox may have posted the top bid for the right to negotiate with Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported, citing Major League Baseball sources.


There has been no official announcement, and the Seibu Lions, Matsuzaka's team in Japan, have until Tuesday to accept or reject the high bid.


But Olney is reporting that the Red Sox may have posted the top bid with a figure between $38 million and $45 million, according to Major League Baseball officials who are monitoring the bidding.


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2656687

That's an absurd amount of money if true.

[ehh]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I guess they don't want to miss the playoffs for a second consecutive year.

[cjonesfan921]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

And if it is true, then the Red Sox fans can stop bitching about the Yankees and the amount of money they spend.

[NYJets]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I've read other articles that said the Lions were really dissapointed with the bids they got, and it was closer to the bids Ichiro got than the $20-$30 million that was being talked about.

Who knows what's going on, I also heard both the Cubs and the Rangers won the bid.

Who knows what's going on, but I doubt this one is true. Doesn't seem like something Theo would do and it would really come out of nowhere. I hadn't heard much about the Red Sox being really interested.

[boston_sports_rule]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

If the Sox really won the bid but do not get a contract back they get their money back.

[GBrushTWood]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

This is the highest amount we have heard rumored so far. Nobody has yet heard what the Yankees rumored bid is. It could be $55 million for all we know.

[cjonesfan921]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

This is the highest amount we have heard rumored so far. Nobody has yet heard what the Yankees rumored bid is. It could be $55 million for all we know.

It was brought on, on Mike and the Madd Dogg, that there is a rumor that the Sox officially won the "bidding."

[cubsfan203]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I've read other articles that said the Lions were really dissapointed with the bids they got, and it was closer to the bids Ichiro got than the $20-$30 million that was being talked about.

Who knows what's going on, I also heard both the Cubs and the Rangers won the bid.

Who knows what's going on, but I doubt this one is true. Doesn't seem like something Theo would do and it would really come out of nowhere. I hadn't heard much about the Red Sox being really interested.

Where'd you hear that about the Rangers? There was an article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram today saying that the Rangers might have gone up to $30 million.

[CWood2]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Looks like we're trying to buy our way out of the corner that a little front office disconnect and poor talent evaluation put us in. So instead of giving up on some of our youth to acquire the talent necessary for a run next year, we're paying an absurd amount of money (if true) on Matsuzaka and then probably making a run at JD Drew. Meanwhile, the Yankees got a great young arm and a few decent others trading away a high priced outfielder. I'm dizzy.

A few asides... I'm hearing Olney may either be A) off on the dollars and cents or B) wasn't supposed to break that story. Two, as a marketing person, it's pretty clear that the Lucchino led front office is putting one of the biggest premiums in recent memory on the money this kid could generate off the field and with future players from that region of the world. I see part of that rationale, but it still doesn't help me feel better about the way we value talent.

Imagine if Akinori Iwamura, the third baseman, makes his way to Boston as well...another reinvented roster, when before if you told me Manny was staying I'd say not much would really change.

[Misfit]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I've read other articles that said the Lions were really dissapointed with the bids they got, and it was closer to the bids Ichiro got than the $20-$30 million that was being talked about.

Who knows what's going on, I also heard both the Cubs and the Rangers won the bid.

Who knows what's going on, but I doubt this one is true. Doesn't seem like something Theo would do and it would really come out of nowhere. I hadn't heard much about the Red Sox being really interested.

The Red Sox have been eyeballing him for a while now. Their level of interest has been very high.

Even so, I don't think any of these reporters know much at all and are trying to find stories wherever possible so I don't put much stock in them. If the Sox land him, then great. It's not my money and if he's half as popular as Ichiro and Matsui they'll be able to make a lot of money off of marketing him.

[Thrasha]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Providence Journal is also reporting they won the bidding.

Rotoworld also said that the Sox FO believe they can make back their money and then some if they extend their marketing plans to Japan. Assuming they do actually sign him.