Red Sox, Matsuzaka headed to Boston

ESPN.com news services






BOSTON -- Daisuke Matsuzaka headed to Boston on Wednesday with Red Sox officials, a sign Boston had reached a preliminary contract agreement with the star pitcher.
all took off together," Red Sox owner John Henry said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
Team president Larry Lucchino said shortly after noon ET that the plane was leaving California.
In prior days, agent Scott Boras had said he would not allow Matsuzaka to travel to Boston for a physical unless the sides had reached a preliminary agreement.
"You should assume a deal is close or done," an official with knowledge of the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.
In prior days, agent Scott Boras had said he would not allow Matsuzaka to travel to Boston for a physical unless the sides had reached a preliminary agreement.

The sides reportedly were $3 million-per-year apart last night. Sources told the Boston Herald that the Red Sox's latest offer to the pitcher is six years for $8 million a year. Matsuzaka's camp, according to the Herald, has counter-offered with an $11 million request for six years.
Boston officials flew to Newport Beach, Calif., on Monday on Henry's plane and said they would return Wednesday with or without Matsuzaka. The team and Matsuzaka have a midnight Friday ET deadline to reach an agreement.
The Red Sox called a news conference for Wednesday afternoon to introduce shortstop Julio Lugo (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6451), who agreed to a four-year, $36 million deal last week. With the top Red Sox brass still en route, manager Terry Francona and assistant GM Jed Hoyer were to attend that event.
Boston bid $51.1 million last month for the right to negotiate with Matsuzaka. The Red Sox will pay that money to his Japanese team, the Seibu Lions, only if an agreement is reached.
If there is no deal, Matsuzaka's rights remain with the Lions and he cannot be offered to major league teams again until next November. He is not eligible to become a free agent in Japan until after the 2008 season.
Lucchino and general manager Theo Epstein showed up unannounced in California on Monday for face-to-face talks with Matsuzaka's agent, Scott Boras.
Red Sox officials left the building where Boras' offices are located shortly before 7 p.m. ET Tuesday, returned about four hours later and stayed for 40 minutes before leaving again.
The Red Sox had said they would present their second offer at the meeting. The large amount bid by the Red Sox for Matsuzaka's rights complicated negotiations. Boras said it shouldn't cause the team to decrease the salary he thinks his client deserves.
"Free agent pitchers who are 26 and have Matsuzaka-like ability receive salaries in excess of $100 million over five or six years in free agency," Boras said at a news conference Monday night.
Epstein agreed Matsuzaka is worth $100 million, but his calculations include the posting fee.

Red Sox, Matsuzaka headed to Boston

ESPN.com news services






BOSTON -- Daisuke Matsuzaka headed to Boston on Wednesday with Red Sox officials, a sign Boston had reached a preliminary contract agreement with the star pitcher.
all took off together," Red Sox owner John Henry said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
Team president Larry Lucchino said shortly after noon ET that the plane was leaving California.
In prior days, agent Scott Boras had said he would not allow Matsuzaka to travel to Boston for a physical unless the sides had reached a preliminary agreement.
"You should assume a deal is close or done," an official with knowledge of the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.
In prior days, agent Scott Boras had said he would not allow Matsuzaka to travel to Boston for a physical unless the sides had reached a preliminary agreement.

The sides reportedly were $3 million-per-year apart last night. Sources told the Boston Herald that the Red Sox's latest offer to the pitcher is six years for $8 million a year. Matsuzaka's camp, according to the Herald, has counter-offered with an $11 million request for six years.
Boston officials flew to Newport Beach, Calif., on Monday on Henry's plane and said they would return Wednesday with or without Matsuzaka. The team and Matsuzaka have a midnight Friday ET deadline to reach an agreement.
The Red Sox called a news conference for Wednesday afternoon to introduce shortstop Julio Lugo (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6451), who agreed to a four-year, $36 million deal last week. With the top Red Sox brass still en route, manager Terry Francona and assistant GM Jed Hoyer were to attend that event.
Boston bid $51.1 million last month for the right to negotiate with Matsuzaka. The Red Sox will pay that money to his Japanese team, the Seibu Lions, only if an agreement is reached.
If there is no deal, Matsuzaka's rights remain with the Lions and he cannot be offered to major league teams again until next November. He is not eligible to become a free agent in Japan until after the 2008 season.
Lucchino and general manager Theo Epstein showed up unannounced in California on Monday for face-to-face talks with Matsuzaka's agent, Scott Boras.
Red Sox officials left the building where Boras' offices are located shortly before 7 p.m. ET Tuesday, returned about four hours later and stayed for 40 minutes before leaving again.
The Red Sox had said they would present their second offer at the meeting. The large amount bid by the Red Sox for Matsuzaka's rights complicated negotiations. Boras said it shouldn't cause the team to decrease the salary he thinks his client deserves.
"Free agent pitchers who are 26 and have Matsuzaka-like ability receive salaries in excess of $100 million over five or six years in free agency," Boras said at a news conference Monday night.
Epstein agreed Matsuzaka is worth $100 million, but his calculations include the posting fee.


So it looks like the Sox will be out of pocket roughly $100 million for this guy. Hell of a gamble for Theo. What's gotten in to him this off-season? He's spending hundreds of millions on question marks. If the Sox win it all he'll cement his legacy as a genius GM. If JD Drew turns out to be JD Drew and D-Mat isnt Cy Young caliber he'll hurt his rep. Personally I still regard the guy as one of the best young minds running an MLB team, but he's definitely gotten away from his MO of hard working/durable/get dirty type of ball players this off-season. We'll see how it pans out.

So it looks like the Sox will be out of pocket roughly $100 million for this guy. Hell of a gamble for Theo. What's gotten in to him this off-season? He's spending hundreds of millions on question marks. If the Sox win it all he'll cement his legacy as a genius GM. If JD Drew turns out to be JD Drew and D-Mat isnt Cy Young caliber he'll hurt his rep. Personally I still regard the guy as one of the best young minds running an MLB team, but he's definitely gotten away from his MO of hard working/durable/get dirty type of ball players this off-season. We'll see how it pans out.

As was mentioned, look at the other players that have signed this off season. Plenty of 100 mill question marks.

Teams are flush with cash right now. Some are spending it pretty readily.

As was mentioned, look at the other players that have signed this off season. Plenty of 100 mill question marks.

Teams are flush with cash right now. Some are spending it pretty readily.

Most are spending it pretty foolishly, IMO. (Meche, Pierrie, Matthews, Padilla, et al.):character42:

As was mentioned, look at the other players that have signed this off season. Plenty of 100 mill question marks.

Teams are flush with cash right now. Some are spending it pretty readily.

True, but his deal could end up costing Boston around $20 mil per season out of pocket. I'm not sure that any team has taken a gamble that big. From everything I've read about the guy I can't see him not being great. If he isn't though, Theo will be criticized for giving up 20 mil per seasn for a prospect.

About $100 million for a guy who has never thrown a pitch in the Major Leagues.

Good luck Boston.



NOT!

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

So this deal, for 6 years, will cost the Bosox between 103 and 111 million. Or 17.17 - 18.5 million per for the 6 years.

Heck of a gamble by the Bosox. But I give them credit for getting it done, as if this guy lives up to his press clippings, he will be the next ACE in Baseball. I do believe that he will put up better numbers then Zito over the next 6 years, for roughly the same cost.

It will be interesting to see how he stands up to the lineups in teh AL, like the Yankees, White Sox, Toronto, Tampa, et al. Lots of thumpers here, more then it seems they have in Japan.

Still, solid move by the Bosox. This money was spent more wisely then the Drew or Lugo money, IMO.

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

So this deal, for 6 years, will cost the Bosox between 103 and 111 million. Or 17.17 - 18.5 million per for the 6 years.

Heck of a gamble by the Bosox. But I give them credit for getting it done, as if this guy lives up to his press clippings, he will be the next ACE in Baseball. I do believe that he will put up better numbers then Zito over the next 6 years, for roughly the same cost.

It will be interesting to see how he stands up to the lineups in teh AL, like the Yankees, White Sox, Toronto, Tampa, et al. Lots of thumpers here, more then it seems they have in Japan.

Still, solid move by the Bosox. This money was spent more wisely then the Drew or Lugo money, IMO.


Absolutely...I dont get the Drew signing at all. He's a good player but such a HUGE risk for that kind of cash. They keep ripping that guy on the radio in Boston and he'll end up on the DL with hurt feelings.

Absolutely...I dont get the Drew signing at all. He's a good player but such a HUGE risk for that kind of cash. They keep ripping that guy on the radio in Boston and he'll end up on the DL with hurt feelings.

LOL. Very good. I do not think that he was DLed any time over his career because of that one. Sounds a bit like Pavano, and we all know how well that has worked out so far. :rolleyes:

Drew has played more often the past 3 seasons, but in 2 of those years (2004 & 2006), he was playing for a new contract. Now that he is signed and sealed for 5 years, will the old, sensitive, injury-prone JD Drew return?

Tough question.

But here is a better one. I am not an expert in stats that show where a hitter has tendencies to hit, but Drew looks like a pure pull hitter, mostly from RF to RCF. It seems to me in the games I have seen him that he rarely gets a pitch over to LF. Fenway is very unforgiving to left hitters who can't go the opposite way. Ortiz does when necessary. Will Drew adapt, or will he remain in his "comfortable zone" as a pull hitter?

Really tough question.

Excellent news about Dice. But he doesn't have the hat on and #18 yet. Hopefully a press conference will be coming soon.

Btw, NESN is frantic with this story. They are tracking the flight mid-air via flight-tracker!!

LOL. Very good. I do not think that he was DLed any time over his career because of that one. Sounds a bit like Pavano, and we all know how well that has worked out so far. :rolleyes:

Drew has played more often the past 3 seasons, but in 2 of those years (2004 & 2006), he was playing for a new contract. Now that he is signed and sealed for 5 years, will the old, sensitive, injury-prone JD Drew return?

Tough question.

But here is a better one. I am not an expert in stats that show where a hitter has tendencies to hit, but Drew looks like a pure pull hitter, mostly from RF to RCF. It seems to me in the games I have seen him that he rarely gets a pitch over to LF. Fenway is very unforgiving to left hitters who can't go the opposite way. Ortiz does when necessary. Will Drew adapt, or will he remain in his "comfortable zone" as a pull hitter?

Really tough question.

Really? I've always thought of him as a guy who uses all fields well. I know Theo said the same thing but he also said that Drew has "plus raw power"???
IMO, 20 HRs in not "plus raw power". While Dodger stadium may not be a hitters park, "plus raw power" means you can hit at least 30 in a full season no matter where you play.

Really? I've always thought of him as a guy who uses all fields well. I know Theo said the same thing but he also said that Drew has "plus raw power"???
IMO, 20 HRs in not "plus raw power". While Dodger stadium may not be a hitters park, "plus raw power" means you can hit at least 30 in a full season no matter where you play.
Again, I can only go by what I have seen, nothing else. i have not read up much on this issue. It remains to be seen.

Drew has power. Not like Ortiz or Giambi, but he has pop.

Again, I can only go by what I have seen, nothing else. i have not read up much on this issue. It remains to be seen.

Drew has power. Not like Ortiz or Giambi, but he has pop.

No doubt he's got pop....I'd disagree with "plus raw power" though

im disapointed the Sox got him

but atleast they spend 100 million bucks in the process

im disapointed the Sox got him

but atleast they spend 100 million bucks in the process


Baseball has got to be fixed. How do they expect teams like the Yankees to be able to go out and just throw a hundred million dollars at an unproven commodity? Thank god we were able to get Pettite for what we did;)

Baseball has got to be fixed. How do they expect teams like the Yankees to be able to go out and just throw a hundred million dollars at an unproven commodity? Thank god we were able to get Pettite for what we did;)


yeah, what are we expected to give Igawa for a contract? we may not be able to afford him while the big bad red sox paid enough to feed a whole 3rd world country for years

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/baseball/mlb/12/13/matsuzaka.signs/tx.matsuzaka.jpg



Apparently black trashbag coats are all the rage in Japan.

Maybe Matsuzaka can use some of that new coin to buy a new jacket.

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/baseball/mlb/12/13/matsuzaka.signs/tx.matsuzaka.jpg



Apparently black trashbag coats are all the rage in Japan.

Maybe Matsuzaka can use some of that new coin to buy a new jacket.

That coat and those pants do not go together at all. At least Boras looks presentable.

If D. Mat does not like teh cold, someone better inform him how September - October is in the Boston area.;)

Yeah, Japan looks like it has some weird fashion like that. Anyway, its not like Japan is a tropical island, it gets kind of cold there too.