BoSox come to agreement with Matsuzaka (title updated)

[3rd Handler]

I just read the article on ESPN and their source comes from the Boston Herald; in my opinion not very credible.

[Yankee1012]

Originally Posted by espn.com

After all the hoopla surrounding the $51.1 million bid the Red Sox posted to talk to Daisuke Matsuzaka, it appears a contract may not materialize.

Negotiations between the team and the Japanese star pitcher have nearly broken down, the Boston Herald reported Sunday. A source familiar with the situation told the Herald late Saturday that unless "there is an abrupt change of course," the Red Sox will not strike a deal with Matsuzaka before the deadline midnight Thursday.

Attempts to reach Matsuzaka's agent, Scott Boras, were unsuccessful. The source blamed Boras for a lack of interest in the negotiations.

Matsuzaka signed with Boras in October and was posted for bidding in early November.

Matsuzaka was 17-5 with a 2.13 ERA and 200 strikeouts for his Japanese team, the Seibu Lions, this year. He throws in the high-90s, has good off-speed pitches and is known for his deceptive "gyroball," which has been likened to a screwball.

The Lions will not receive any of the $51.1 million if Matsuzaka does not sign. The initial offer made by the Red Sox was believed to be between $7-8 million a year for four-six years, but Boras was reportedly asking for nearly $15 million a year.

Though the Herald's source admitted that there is time for the outlook to change, as of Saturday night the team and Matsuzaka weren't close to finding a common ground.

Well there goes the Red Sox hopes for winning the AL East this year (Its not a fact but they really need pitching and so far they havent gotten any). They have to sign him now because theres no other starters out there except Zito and i doubt the Red Sox will get Zito.

[Roxpert]

Let's just say that the Red Sox end up NOT signing Matsuzaka. Presumably, they'd still be seeking right-handed starting pitching. They've also been briefly mentioned as having an interest in Todd Helton.

Soooooo......a creative GM could propose the following trade:

Jason Jennings, Todd Helton, and Clint Barmes for Manny Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia, and Coco Crisp.

Naturally, some money would likely have to be sent to Boston to even this out a bit, but it could make loads of sense for both teams.

For the Rox, they would stick Manny in leftfield and convert Matt Holliday (a lousy defensive LF but a former 3rd baseman) to 1st base. Dustin Pedroia battles for both the SS and 2B jobs, or becomes the team's second utility infielder along with Jamey Carroll. Crisp takes over in centerfield.

For the Sox, Jennings would likely win 16+ games while eating 220 innings. Helton would remind older Bosox fans of Ted Williams and Yaz, and Barmes could contend for the 2nd base job that Pedroia was penciled in for. Barmes could be sold as this century's "Jody Reed" for Red Sox fans who aren't quite as old (though Reed was a more patient hitter).

I think it's an opportunity for both teams to solve their problems.

[Rice4HoF]

Please, no! Helton is grossly overrated. He hit .266 away from Coors last year. And where exactly would he play? And who would play LF for us? This would be a bad, bad deal from Boston's perspective.

[Zen653]

I hate the Todd Helton rumors. He's an overrated hitter, his power numbers have plummeted, he'd have no place to play during interleague play, and he'll be making more than Manny Ramirez. We already have a Helton-like hitter in Kevin Youkilis, and he costs us less than $500,000. The only way I'd consider a Helton deal is if the Rockies also send Barmes, Holliday and Jennings.

[steeplechase3k]

Boras has scheduled a press confrence for 6pm Pacific tonight...

[captainkairos]

Greetings from Maine. A few sox players were here yesterday(Tavarez, Seibel, Murphy and others) visiting a hospital. When asked about the Matsuzaka signing, they seemed very confident that the deal will get done.
The guy longs to play baseball in the US, and I have a feeling that the Sox are just playing hardball in attempts to negotiate a reasonable contract. Is he a savior and a 20-game winner? Doubt it. But a ROTY canidate who could win 16-18 games provided that Manny sticks around and the sox land a servicable closer? Absolutely. The remainder of the starting pitching staff should benefit greatly. Hopefully Beckett comes into his own this year and becomes a 20 game winner with the pressure of being the ace shifted towards Matsuzaka. But I think the deal will get done, nevermind the hoopla...the revenue generated from Japan should ease a little of the contract. I just hope the Sox don't dump Manny at this point and try to play it off as if they essentially traded Manny for Drew/Matsuzaka. Manny is a sure fire hall-of-famer, proven, consistent offensive firepower, and not so terrible in the outfield as we are lead to believe. If money is no object, then sign em' all, keep em' all, and win one more.

[AutomatedTeller]

ahh - ROY. I dunno - if he can command a $12M contract, he doesn't deserve to be ROY - he's well beyond that...

I have no idea what will happen, but I suspect Mats is back in Japan.

[3rd Handler]

Just came across WCVB up here in Boston. Matsuzaka is on John Henry's private plane from LA to Boston. I suspect it's for a physical.

[steeplechase3k]

That report is comming from a Boston Herald writer's blog.

I'm trying to get it to load so I can post that info...

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/redSox/?p=795

[steeplechase3k]

Well that one still won't load, but the same report is on the Globe's Red Sox blog:

http://www.boston.com/sports/basebal...s/extra_bases/

a source close to the negotiations confirmed that the Red Sox contingent in Southern California is flying back to Boston with pitcher Daisuke Matsuzka and his agent, Scott Boras, on board.

“You can assume that a deal is done or close,” said another source with direct knowledge of the talks.

[Spaceman]

We can hope that this means a deal is done. Hopfully we can get the Rocket on board next.....

[steeplechase3k]

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N611JW

this is the flight that Matsuzaka is on with Theo, Boras and all the rest...

[captainkairos]

This guy is going to light it up in Boston. Just wait and see.

[Manny27]

D-Mat is on a plane going to boston now!

It looks like the deal is going to happen. Since they said that they would not bring D-Mat to boston unless they have reached a deal.


Also doug has reached a deal with the sox. It's pendding on a physical.