Will the Boston Redsox sign Daisuke Matsuzaka? And if they did would it be the right decision?

Question

Although i want them to sign him i am slightly concerned about how limited we would be in signing other free agents

Answer 1

Of course they will, they paid $51 mil just to talk to him, not signing him would be the biggest mistake since Napolean sold Louisiana. He might not end up being worth the money, like Irabu, but they cannot just flush that kind of money down the drain.

Answer 2

what is Lazy boy on? Everyone mentioned that if the Sox don't sign him, they do not have to pay the bid money (actually they get the bid money back, MLB is currently holding it)

lazy_boy calls everyone stupid, and says the same thing ??

The Red Sox will sign him, the issue is really over years than money. The Sox want as many years as possible, Boras (agent) wants as few as possible. Boras will realise the Sox did not put 51million on the line to sign him to 3 years.

They have to pay him about what he is worth, but probably a bit below. I expect a 4-5 year deal, 12 million each. He can be worth more, but its still well above what he gets in Japan (3 million) and he still has not thrown a major league pitch

Matsuzaka wants to sign, the Sox want him, the Lions want the bid money, and Boras is smart enough to realise it hurts him and his other clients if he doesn't strike a deal - Matsuzaka will sign, it will take up until the deadline, but a deal will be done.

Of course its the right decision. They will make up the bid money with revenue from Japan, so they are paying a bit of money for a great pitcher. Thats a good deal. Schilling and Wakefield are over 40.

With this deal, The Sox will have Matsuzaka, Beckett and Papelbon all locked up for a few years. All three power arms, at the age of 26.

Young, good arms.. is always a good thing. Add in Lester in 2008 - hes a quality left hander.. and that is a damn fine rotation. The Sox can add one more somepoint. They have some quality kids in their farm system that might be ready for 2008/09

The Sox will be like the Marlins. Have a great young rotation. Instead of overpaying for old pitchers who are not all they once were (R. Johnson for the Yankees is a fine example)

The FA pitching market gets worse. This year while there are some good pitchers, they will get way overpaid, its not affordable. When you see a young ace pitcher (Matsuzaka is, Zito isn't) you make sure you get it.

The Bid money was a marketing/economic investment, the Sox do not count that against their payroll (and its not for the luxary tax)

In 2007, Wakefield, Schilling, Timlin, Lowell, Clement, Hinkske, Taveraz all come off the books, and that frees up a lot of money.

The Sox this off season are still interested in Lugo and Drew, while needing to fix the bullpen. The Sox FO do not view themselves as limited.

Answer 3

As someone above says, "Not signing Matsuzaka would be the biggest mistake since Napolean sold Louisiana." I would like to add, "signing Matsuzaka would be the wisest decision since the Alaska purchase from Russia.

I've been watching Matsuzaka for the past 7 years in Japan, you can get Louisiana and Alaska at the same time for just $100 million in total. Thats nothing!, considering the huge amount of oil, gas, gold, silver and winning games for the next few years.

I am sure Boston Redsox will make the right decision.

Answer 4

The Redsox don't have to pay the $51 million if they do not sign him by Dec. 15th. They will likely offer him a 5 year deal at around $5 or $6 million a year. His highest salary in Japan was $2.5 million so why wouldn't he accept that offer or he will have to go back to Japan and lose some serious face. At first I thought Boston just bid that high to block the Yankees but think that they will sign him for sure now.

Answer 5

They will definitely sign him.

The money issue is way overblown. They will definitely be sinking close to (if not more than) $100 million into getting Matsuzaka. However, how many of his shirts will sell in Japan alone? They will make a lot of cake just by having him on the team.

As far as his pitching ability is concerned, he looks like a fair risk. I think to compare him to Irabu is unfair. I think with a couple of seasoned veterans in the rotation (Schilling and Wakefield) should be a huge benefit for him. He should be able to fit in nicely and hopefully his talent is what it appears to be.

I doubt his salary will take away from the Sox addressing other needs. I have heard that they are frontrunners to sign Lugo, too. That would be a welcome addition.

Answer 6

I would've let the Yankees win the bid. They tend to have horrible luck with pitchers signed from outside the United States (Hikeki Irabu, Jose Contreras, etc...).

It wasn't long ago that everyone was raving about how Contreras was worth millions upon millions of dollars. He did finally find the strike zone after a season and a half, but even at his best, he isn't worth nearly the money the Yankees signed him for....and neither will Daisuke Matsuzaka be worth the money to the Red Sox.

He will have the same fate of nearly every other pitcher to come to the US after playing professionally in another country...he will dominate every team until June, when American hitters adjust to his "gyro ball". After that, he's going to get hit around like crazy.

Don't believe me? Ask Chan Ho Park, Hikeki Irabu and Hideo Nomo, and 90 percent of the high priced pitchers who cost millions of dollars and looked like sure bets at first, only to stink up the joint and suffer a meltdown by the end of the season.

Daisuke Matsuzaka = waste of money

Answer 7

I think they will sign him. But I think they are taking a big chance. They already have spent 51 million just to negotiate with him. They do get that money back if they don't sign him. But if they sign him they may end up paying another 30 or 40 million over the life of the contract. That's 90 million for someone who has never pitched in the MLB.

Answer 8

Boston will sign him. $51 million just to negotiate says they are serious. If Boston does not sign him, however, they will get their $51 million back. Boston has plans to market this guy in Japan and will get a huge return on the investment. Besides, it is worth it to Boston to keep New York from getting him.

It seems ridiculous to pay huge $$$s for a pitcher that has never pitched to so many great MLB hitters. Time will tell if he has the right stuff.

Answer 9

They will sign him because nobody pays that kind of money just for the rights and then doesn't sign the player. Yes it is the right decision just because they already spent all that money. It would limit the amount of good free agents though.

Answer 10

It amazes me how some persons are so fairly amused by flash and hype. Chien-Ming Wang became into tied the Cy youthful winner Johan Santana final 365 days in wins with 19. enable me be attentive to while Matsuzaka wins 19 video games.