The Sox pull off step 1 in the Matsuzaka sweepstakes. The sweeps ticket cost somewhere between $42M - $50M+ depending on who you believe. The Seibu Lions will probably won't be tight lipped about their windfall, so we'll know soon.
The Sox now need to clear the Scott Boras hurdle, which apparently is set somewhere around $14M per season. At 26, you'd think the Sox would want to lock him up for at least 4 seasons. On the other hand if he's not a top of the rotation talent, how many years do you risk to overpay?
This is a bold move by the Sox and it accomplishes a number of important tasks:
1) They get a potential #1 guy at 26 - unheard of especially these days
2) Don't give up any young talent to get him
3) Keep him away from rivals - especially the Yanks
4) The $42M+ does not impact payroll, and the Sox must feel they can "recover" the investment from the overseas market (TV rights, media, merchandise)
Will he be a success? Based on his numbers, the scouting reports, and the number of teams throwing money around, the safe bet is yes.
Couple of quick hits...
The gyro ball is fictional. When asked during the WBC, Matsuzaka laughed and said he'd work on one.
Apparently the best players in Japan are obsessed over, and the fan base is 10 times as rabid as we are here. So those of you worried about the pressure at Fenway, can rest easy.
And be friendly to the influx of Japanse tourists about to roll in. Sushi coming to Fenway?
Stay tuned for more hot stove updates...
3 comments:
...3) Keep him away from rivals - especially the Yanks.
This is all you'll get!
Hee hee. Just giddy thinking about it.
Let the panic begin in NY...
Yanks just picked up rights for the poor man's Matsuzaka.
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