With the Red Sox bidding $51M to negoiate with Matsuzaka, are they "buying" a World Series?

Question

Red Sox fans always talk about how the Yankees try to buy a championship every year. But aren't they doing the same thing?

Answer 1

I think that it has been shown that you can't buy a championship, but they will still try!

Answer 2

For one, the Red Sox are actually building up their farm system, so its not all about money. Papelbon and Lester and products out of it, they are a lot more where that come from as well, and you will see that in the coming years. The Sox were rated the best draft out of any team in 2006. Rameriz (ROY) and Sanchez in Florida are also products.

So its not like they are just spending money, buying everyone else's talent, they are growing their own.

The nature of blind bidding was the winning bid was going to be insanely high, not enough people realised this. 30mil was not insanely high. If the prediction was 30, most teams would bid 35-40. You would put the yankees on 45-50, so the Red Sox had to go above that. (seems like they didn't have to, but they did not know that at the time)

Its also not like they are buying up huge, they will still have a payroll well less than 150million, probably around 130. which while the second biggest, is not that different than the White Sox, Cubs and other similar market sized teams have.

The bid money will be made up from all the money they are going to make out of Japan anyway.

The problem I think some people had with the Yankees recently about buying a world series, is that they would only add FA players, and trade away their farm system. Look at how they won't let Melkey Cabrera play full time.

Its not entirely hypocritical, but they are doing what the small market teams do. Build a good farm system, and sign a good FA if you are able to. The Sox just have more money to spend, and all the small market teams would do the same if they could, so they cannot complain that much.

Answer 3

No i dont think so. he is an unproven pitcher in teh United States they have no relief pitching and need a right feilder. i think they are paying the money to talk with him but wont end up with a contract this year, remember this is the club that didnt resign Damon or try to go after Bobby A. but all of a sudden they are spending 52 milion just to talk with a player why the sudden boost in spending? besides Japan is Yankee territory and the market is more Red Sox hostile. and on top of that the Yankees strategy of "buying" a world series hasnt worked in a few years so if it hasnt been working for the master what make the student think buying a world series will work for him?

Answer 4

Purchasing pitching for this guy is like gambling at a roulette table. He's never been in the MLB's before, the biggest stage for baseball on earth. Plus who knows how Matsuzaka would react to all the press, new teamates, (MONEY), and hype that comes with the big show. Don't get me wrong stepping up your pitching rotation is probably the most crucial thing a team could do, but that much money, not sayin it is, could be a huge mistake for the Red Sox.
In order for a team to win the world series I think one of the biggest issues that is commonly overlooked is how "hot" a team is once in the playoffs. You need to have precise pitching and hot bats to win series' especially in the playoffs. I do believe the Red Sox with the current lineup and rotation have what it takes to win it again. But there are so many variables to consider throughout an entire long baseball season. But hopefully, for their sake signing this pitcher is a big step forward.

Answer 5

Matsuzaka could come to the US, and blow out his shoulder in his first start here. If Matsuzaka was to not miss a start for the whole season, that would give him around 32 starts. Even if he has a MIRACLE season and goes 32-0, the Red Sox still have to get past the Yankees, Tigers, Twins, and White Sox to go to the world series.

Answer 6

I don't think this "buys" a World Series by any stretch. They still have a lot of other things to figure out - who is at SS... Who can be their closer... What are they doing in RF...

But they are firming up the starting rotation, and that is always a primary concern, because if you don't have good starting pitching, the other questions above are unimportant.

Remember, the 2006 Red Sox had the second-best Fielding Percentage team of all time. In October, they were watching the playoffs on TV.

Answer 7

I think it's the opposite. Not only are they paying $51M to negotiate, but they also must pay to sign him ... so if they sign him, that will be the only offseason move they will be able to afford ... if they don't, at least they get their $51M back.

PS: Actually, many have made assumptions that the Red Sox only offered $51M to make sure the Yankees did not sign Matsuzaka. Not only do the Yanks not sign him, but the Red Sox get their money back if they don't.

Answer 8

They are doing exactly what they blame the Yankees for doing. The problem for the Red Sox is that it won't work. $51M for a AA maybe AAA caliber pitcher isn't the answer. Let those bozos spend their money. In the end they will still finish behind the Yankees and probably the Blue Jays again.

Answer 9

They are trying, but it has been proven that it doesn't work. The Yankees spend a lot of money, but thats for two reasons, 1- the championship and 2- They want to fill Yankee Stadium all year. Thats why they had attendance of 4 million this year.

Answer 10

The Red Sox are trying to compete with their Nemesis, the Yankees. They still aren't even close to competing with them when it comes to "buying" a series. This does make it obvious they want a better team next year.

Answer 11

Absolutely. The Red Sox are doing what the Yankee's are now shying away from.
Remember the 51.1 million for Matzusaka doesn't include the 60 million contract that Scott Boras is negotiating.