Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

[AI_Franchise]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Here is to hoping Matsuzaka is a bust!

Going by track record alone in these matters, at best he'll be another Hideo Nomo.

[Thrasha]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

lol @ everyone hoping he's a bust. yay

I hope the contract doesn't get done. Save the money Boston.

The only good thing about the deal is that Boras has said they will only be willing to sign a 3 year deal since he wants Fuji Toyota to score another MLB contract.

[Stu]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

lol @ everyone hopes he busts. yay

I hope the contract doesn't get done. Save the money Boston.

Why, it's not your money. It seems like they're opening their pockets a little more this year, not that they didn't already. I assume they're thinking the long term benefits outweigh the short term expense. It won't prevent them from spending to the luxury tax every year.

I agree that it's an outrageous amount of money to spend on a guy who's never pitched an inning in MLB, but if they want to spend it I'm not going to complain.

I also don't see the Red Sox agreeing to a 3 year deal. If they're investing $42 mil plus whatever his contract is, they're going to want to lock him up for 4 or 5.

[Thrasha]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

For some reason, I just can't picture this guy in a Red Sox uniform...

Yeah, kinda the same vibes I'm getting.

I read that he really wanted to be a Yankee.

[Misfit]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

He's not a Red Sox yet, because he hasn't signed a contract. Assuming the Seibu Lions accept the bid (which hasn't been finalized, but is a mere formality now), the Red Sox have 30 days to sign him to a contract.

I can envision the contract not getting done, but I think they have sincere interest in him. Just based on stuff alone, he's the best pitcher available, so I can't see the Sox not signing him and then throwing equal or more money to Zito, Schmidt, et al.

It makes little sense to throw a huge big out there to get the negotiating rights and then not sign him. One could argue that they'd be keeping him from the Yankees, but only for a year. Next year he'll be free to sign with whomever he wants and the Red Sox aren't exactly poised for another championship run in '07 at this point. I think, like Contreras, this is a guy they identified early and wanted badly only this time they made sure the Yankees weren't going to land him.

As for the money, yes its outrageous but it's dead money as far as the luxury tax goes. The ownership of the Red Sox has money to blow and they've always tried to avoid having to pay the luxury tax. With that threshold at an insane high they have plenty of play money this year. Yes it's absurd to think that it may cost the Red Sox over 50 million to have this guy pitch for them this year, but since it won't count against their payroll and they're opening up new marketing opportunities it's not that insane.

I'm still not going to completely believe it until he's signed though.

[Stu]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

One could argue that they'd be keeping him from the Yankees, but only for a year. Next year he'll be free to sign with whomever he wants and the Red Sox aren't exactly poised for another championship run in '07 at this point.

From what I understand their system works much like MLB as far as service time. He didn't pitch a full season his first year so technically wouldn't accrue the necessary service time to be a Free Agent until 20 days into the 2008 season. This means it would be 2 years before he could enter MLB as a FA. McAdam explained this a few weeks ago. Let me see if I can dig up the article.

I don't think there's any way Boras lets him miss a chance at two significant MLB contracts. If he doesn't sign with the Red Sox, he'll be traded to somebody who will sign him.

[Thrasha]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

Why, it's not your money. It seems like they're opening their pockets a little more this year, not that they didn't already. I assume they're thinking the long term benefits outweigh the short term expense. It won't prevent them from spending to the luxury tax every year.

I agree that it's an outrageous amount of money to spend on a guy who's never pitched an inning in MLB, but if they want to spend it I'm not going to complain.

I also don't see the Red Sox agreeing to a 3 year deal. If they're investing $42 mil plus whatever his contract is, they're going to want to lock him up for 4 or 5.

I see what you mean but it just reeks of disaster IMO.

Their are times to take risks and times to pull back the reins a little. This would be one of those times you pull the reins back. I'd rather splurge on a Jason Schmidt with less years/money.

[Knight165]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

From what I understand their system works much like MLB as far as service time. He didn't pitch a full season his first year so technically wouldn't accrue the necessary service time to be a Free Agent until 20 days into the 2008 season. This means it would be 2 years before he could enter MLB as a FA. McAdam explained this a few weeks ago. Let me see if I can dig up the article.

I don't think there's any way Boras lets him miss a chance at two significant MLB contracts. If he doesn't sign with the Red Sox, he'll be traded to somebody who will sign him.

From what I understand....it's either a contract with the team who anted up for his rights....or nobody and back to Japan...where he would be a free agent for next year. I don't think the Red Sox can trade his rights to anyone.

M.K.
Knight165

[Dispatch]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I see what you mean but it just reeks of disaster IMO.

Their are times to take risks and times to pull back the reins a little. This would be one of those times you pull the reins back. I'd rather splurge on a Jason Schmidt with less years/money.

I disagree with that. I think we need to take a risk on this guy. He's got the best stuff out of all the FA pitchers and it will help the Red Sox get into the Asia market. So the Red Sox will probably get some sort of return from a marketing stand point. Tell me you wouldn't be happy if we landed this guy, with him in our starting rotation we would be pretty good.

Here could be our rotation in no particular order:

Matasuzaka
Schilling
Beckett
Papelbon
Wakefield
Clement/Snyder/Tavarez/DiNardo/Gabbard/Pauley

Lester would be our 5th but I don't no if he'll play next year or not.

That could end up being a very good starting rotation. And we might have to get Matsuzaka the 3rd baseman from Japan so he'll have someone to talk to .

[AI_Franchise]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I see what you mean but it just reeks of disaster IMO.

Their are times to take risks and times to pull back the reins a little. This would be one of those times you pull the reins back. I'd rather splurge on a Jason Schmidt with less years/money.

The whole point is they want to make a splash in the Japanese Market. Whether it pays out or no, Red Sox will be a household name in Asia(or at least you better hope so.)

[Misfit]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I see what you mean but it just reeks of disaster IMO.

Their are times to take risks and times to pull back the reins a little. This would be one of those times you pull the reins back. I'd rather splurge on a Jason Schmidt with less years/money.

After watching Beckett switch leagues last year, I have little to no confidence in Jason Schmidt. Matsuzaka is without question the guy with the best stuff out there, we just don't know how the adjustment will be for him. We know what to expect out of a guy like Zito and he doesn't bring the impact the Red Sox need. Matsuzaka has the potential to be exactly what they need which is why they're taking the chance. Sure it might blow up in their face but it should at least be interesting to see. It will be nice to have a buzz surrounding the Sox going into spring training should they sign this guy.

[Thrasha]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I think it's easier to swtich from the NL to the AL than it is to switch from Japanese ball to MLB. Call me crazy.

I think the whole "dabble in the Japanese market" won't work out if Matsuzaka turns into a bust. It might make other hot prospects from there stay clear.

I'm not against taking risks, and I don't know much about this guy so he could have better stuff than what I actually know of, I'll try and find some stuff to read up on him about. It just seems like the buzz about this guy has grown, because like many of you pointed out, he's the best pitcher available. Even with the big name Zito out there, this pitching market is pretty die. In many ways having the best stuff out of this group is like being the most agile patient in the nursing home.

It just seems to have disaster written on it. I'll gladly eat a heaping, frigid pile of crow if I am wrong though

[GBrushTWood]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I think people are placing a little bit too much emphasis on the "marketing in Asia" for reason's why the Red Sox are willing to pay so much. On the list of things to consider here, I bet that is past numbers 4 and 5 on reasons to do this.

The biggest reason, in my opinion, is the ability to get a 26 year old MLB ready starter who has the capability to be a number one starter, without giving up ANY talent. That is the lure here. They are just giving up money here. It's not my money, so I think this is great.

[Thrasha]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

It's not my money, so I think this is great.

lol I suppose I am being too considerate of Henry's wallet.

[chippered]

Re: Prized pitcher Matsuzaka given OK to pitch in MLB

I think people are placing a little bit too much emphasis on the "marketing in Asia" for reason's why the Red Sox are willing to pay so much. On the list of things to consider here, I bet that is past numbers 4 and 5 on reasons to do this.

The biggest reason, in my opinion, is the ability to get a 26 year old MLB ready starter who has the capability to be a number one starter, without giving up ANY talent. That is the lure here. They are just giving up money here. It's not my money, so I think this is great.

Not to mention one upping the yanks.