Bosox wins $51K bid to talk to Matsuzaka

[Brent Burns]

This is quite way off from what this thread is about Bosox. Just read that the Toronto Blue Jays is offering Vernon Wells, a centerfielder, $126 million (Tim Whitehead, how much will that be in Canadian dollars?) to keep him on the team. $126 million? That is way ridiculous.

The Astros is about to sign Jason Jennings, soon-to-be former pitcher for the Rockies/former pitcher for the Baylor Bears. His former Bear teammate, Kip Wells, is going to pitch for the Cardinals.

These days, MLB is quite trading A LOT as well as raising the stakes.

[FaceKid44]

Ok I have not posted much, but I need to chime in on this. I have been a Red Sox fan all my life, all 22 years. While I didn't have to go through much of the struggles the Sox, I have experienced the loss of Roger to the Evil Empire, Aaron "f-ing" Boone in '03 and this year's Boston Massacre. In addition I have paid a ridiculous amount of money for obstructed view seats and $7.00 for a warm 10 oz. beer.

Oh, on the upside, I experienced the GREATEST comeback in MLB history against the Evil Empire and then a world series.

That said I am thrilled about the addition of D-Mat to the rotation. Yes it is a lot of money, but the Sox also have the money to spend. The highest ticket prices and concessions in the league and a huge revenue generator in NESN (New England Sports Network) which broadcasts all but a few games. The Sox own 80% of NESN and the advertising revue.

Please understand something, this guy is not costing the Red Sox 100 million for 6 years. It has been reported in Boston that the 51.1million posting fee did not come out of the baseball operation budget. John Henry, principle owner, is writing the check. The Sox were not going to spend this money on another player contract. Also, the posting fee is not going to count against the luxury tax.

So as far as the baseball operation budget is concerned, D-Mat costs only 8+ million a year. Considering that the Royals Gil Menche is getting 10 million a year, DMat is a steal.

Don't get me wrong, this could totally blow up in the Red Sox face if he goes 8-15 with a 5.00+ era. Matt Clement is on the Sox roster for next year for over 9million and probably won't pitch in a single game, so they have a history of getting screwed.

But D-Mat is the best pitcher on the market this year. Clemens would cost over 16 million for half the season. Barry Zito is the other big option, but he has a terrible record in Fenway.

And on the side, the Red Sox have now planted their flag in Japan and the Asian market. From what has been reported D-Mat is a superstar in Japan. There is what is called the D-Mat generation according to one Japanese reported who was interviewed on a Boston sports talk radio show ("Dennis and Callahan" on WEEI for those who care). There will be dozens of Japanese media members and tourists who will converge on Boston come April. This will open a revenue stream for the Red Sox to recoup some of the 51 million.

D-Mat will face a lot of pressure with the price tag that follows him. But he will not be the ace of the staff and will have time to adjust to the league. Believe me, people is Boston are thrilled and are going to embrace this guy, unlike what they are doing with JD Drew. That is another story....

This is a great deal of the Red Sox and the City of Boston. Shilling, Becket, D-Mat, Jon Papelbon and Wakefield as starting rotation. and Ortiz, Manny and Drew in the middle of the lineup, things look good for the Sox this year. Now just a closer and hopefully not a horrible string of injuries and this are all set for 2007.

[StrykerFSU]

FaceKid44, did you at least get my "extra mile" reference? No one else seemed to get it.

I agree with your analysis 100% and I'm encouraged that John Henry made this thing happen. We don't know how Lester is going to bounce back and Schilling is 40 after all so I'm quite happy with $8 mil for the MVP of the WBC.

The Drew signing...not so much. The guy is a bum. I hope Drew proves me wrong but Trotski will always be a personal fave.

[Brent Burns]

Needless to say, we know this guy as "D-Mat" and I also read that his first name sounds like "Dice-K."

D-Mat sounds better.