Red Sox Sign Matsuzaka

If the two sides are genuinely that close, then it will get done. I doubt Matsu wants to go back to Japan, and the Sox really want him in their rotation.

*crosses fingers* come on Boras, hold out for more money!

I would be shocked and severely disappointed if the Sox don't bridge a $3M gap to make this work. They would have a lot of explaining to do to Red Sox Nation if that happened. I hope they have learned from the Johnny Damon situation (regarding a few million dollars here and there!). I think they will do it, but it's scary to think that they will let this guy get away for this amount of money. I'm crossing my fingers for the Red Sox.

Remember the A-Rod situation when the Sox were within $15 million dollars of getting that done.

They can always spend the 100 mil on Boras' other guy, Zito and send DMat back to Japan.

Boras had to cave in or Dice-K would have gave him the boot

I'm not sure at what point this became a "done deal." The 3/yr is not such a little amount over 6 years. The sox have already made 2 offers, I'm not sure they are going to budge. 6 years at 11 is 66...plus the 51 is 117 for 6 years. That's not cheap...

I think Sox fans will be pretty pissed if the deal falls apart for $3mm per year. My guess is that Dice-K signes for 10.

I think the Sox will still pursue Clements, but they won't offer him the kind of money he got in Houston. So, I'm thinking no Clemens in Boston, but that's just me.

I think he would fit nicely into the Yanks' rotation but Torre isn't cool with him joining in June...

I am a little skeptical of this report. It says Matsuzaka is asking for ... The last I checked every report also says everything that goes to Matsuzaka and vice versa goes through Boras. Matsuzaka has not aksed for anything. I do not doubt the Red Sox offer but I think the 3 mil apart may be an attempt on Boras to swing public pressure back on the Sox to make a deal.

Although it would not shock me if someone finally told Matsuzaka what was going on and he told Boras he did not want to look greedy to Japan so now a deal will get done.

On Clemens:
http://blogs.chron.com/lopezblog/archives/2006/12/red_sox_to_be_c.html

Would it be possible to get both Dice-K and Clemens?

6 man rotation? I don't think that is good for pirchers to have that much rest in between...Pitchers today don't throw enough as it is...to give them even more would not be helping any. I forgot who said this but it was a former major league pitcher who said:
The arm is a muscle it works best when it is used...thats how it becomes strong and durable...look in old baseball when they had 2 or 3 man rotations...should the Sox get both someone will go to the pen or someone will be traded...it would be an interesting situation though

I don't see how it's "only $3million per year", that seems like a lot to me. You guys make it sound like they're only a few dollars away, this is millions of dollars we're talking about. Only $3MM more is still over 33% of the Red Sox offer, that's a huge difference.

I wouldn't be suprised if the Sox went to a 6 man rotation at all:

1. Schilling is old
2. Wakefield is old
3. Limit Papelbon's innings to avoid Verlander's late-year struggles
4. Matsuzaka is used to pitching on an additional day of reset
5. Clemens is old/limit Lester's innings (if he is the 6th man)

Wakefield is the odd man out in a 6 man rotation. Put him in a dress and have him cheerlead for all I care. If we were lucky enough to have the other 5 in the rotation it would be the best rotation in baseball by far.

Paul... do you bring anything to this board other than double posts and typing in caps-lock? Its kinda getting annoying.

I'm surprised Boras is settling for Meche money (I've trademarked that term). If Theo doesn't finish this... he's an idiot.

No one paid Meche money for exclusive rights to Meche.

Maybe I give the Sox FO too much credit, but I doubt they would have posted $51 million if they thought he was the kind of pitcher who would get "figured out."

And about Zambrano next year, the Sox have Schilling coming off the books so there will be money there if they decide to go after him.

so does the Bostonherald...a deal will obviously get done

Done Deal???

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

Age is certainly a concern, which is why I like the six-man rotation idea (even if Lester is the 6th, assuming he is able to pitch). No doubt that age is a concern.

I would put the Sox rotation above the White Sox because, IMO, every guy in that rotation (aside from Wake) has the potential to be dominant (Schilling, Papelbon, Matsu, Beckett). Though Beckett was a tale of two cities last year.

I have NO worries about this rotation...Beckett finished Strong, Schilling put up a top 15 line last season, and hes not randy johnson old. Wakefield concerns me, but seriously, when the knuckleball is working its hard to hit, and its not a pitch that wears on the body or the arm. Papelbon Had a SUB 1.0 ERA last season in the pen.
He is not a question mark.

Lester came back from cancer. He is a non issue

Do these Yankee fans and Red Sox haters know that they shouldnt throw stones if you live in a glass house? Are people really talking about age and the Red Sox rotation. Im not sure if you guys know this but Wakefield throws a knuckleball. Not too much wear and tear on the arm. And Schilling is a work horse. With the exception of the ankle injury (not an arm related injury) he's been pretty healthy. The Yankees have more issues to worry bout in pitching dept with Johnson falling apart right before our eyes. I cant really remember Pavano pitching for the yanks. And Mussina isnt the face of youth either. Put Mariano Rivera in the Mussina category too. Also Wang is going to have a significant drop off this season, at least thats what I think anyway. He doesnt strike enough guys out so that means that alot of wood is making contact to his pitches. I'd take Schilling, Dice-k, Beckett, Papelbon, Wakefield over just about every other rotation in the majors..

I would appreciate if this is a done deal, for all the pathetic Yankee fans who claimed the Sox did this as a "block". To step up to the plate and admit you were wrong. But we all know that wont happen.

Dice-K is a Red Sox pitcher now! Three 26-year-old ace-potential pitchers. I could care if the other two are 50 years old.

Thanks for the exchange. I absolutely agree that the Yankees have many of the same issues as the Red Sox -- age, injury history, rookie dropoff, etc. -- so I should clarify that I wasn't saying the Yankee's rotation is better, just that they made pretty good moves (with what was available) to improve the rotation in the ways that they could. I should also say I am definitely NOT a Yankee's fan, though I live in New York; I'm from Chicago.

I agree that the Red Sox will have the potential for a terrific rotation -- I'm just not convinced all things will fall into place. So here is my wholistic prediction: Beckett struggles less, but is mediocre throughout the year; Schilling pitches many innings, but is slowly losing his stuff and runing out of gas just past mid-season; Papelbon takes time to stretch himself out as a started, but once he gets going, looks pretty darn good; Wakefield is at the end of his career, and gets spelled by Lester, who is not nearly as dominant as last year; and finally, Matsuzaka has great stuff, is a good #3, but no ace. Hey, it could all break better for the Red Sox, who will have a terrific offense again and will challenge for a playoff spot for sure.

We'll still be bidding on Clemens, so I wouldn't expect him to be a lock as a Yankee. It's gonna be another bidding war, although I'll concede that the Sox are less likely to offer more than the Yankees will offer.

How is 6 years 66 million overpaying for Dice-k...considering what schmidt& meche just got...and what zito would like to get 11 million per year is a great deal..and no i didnt forget that they paid a $51 million posting fee, but i believe it was already posted on here that alot of that will be recovered in tv deals, endorsments, sales and all that fun stuff that having him will bring. so say at the least half of that posting fee is recovered...that will put it at about 15.25 million/year...and thats a conservative estimate as to how much they will get back.

Why do sox fans need yankee fans to admit they were wrong. That makes no sense whatsoever. Are we in the 3rd grade? Were you feeling hurt? Do you need a hug? For the love...

Now that it looks like we have D-Mat, why would Clemens sign with the Yankees? He should go with a winner!!!

Dice K agrees WEEI just said that Dice K is on his way to boston http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/

Steve Phillips was wrong again?!?!?!

Well if you think the Sox gave a shot at Zambrano next year. the way the Cubs are spedning money they will back a dumptruck of cash to his house and say "here ya go, can we get you some more?"

plus whatever Zito gets this year..add like 2-3 years and like 3-5 mill a year on top of it for Zambrano

"I'd try to pry Mike Gonzalez or Chad Cordero."

Bowden and Littlefield are asking ridiculous prices for them. So whoever gets them will be giving up a lot.

to bad Bryce Cox is two more years off. He's gonna be a sick closer.

People saying Lester doesnt have ace stuff is very misinformed. In my opinion, and in the opinion of other scouts, Lester's stuff is better than Papelbon's. He doesnt have the power of Papelbon, but Lester has a better repetoire of pitches that he can throw for strikes. Everytime he's come up in class (throughout the minors) he's had a short adjustment period and then completely dominated. In AAA Pawtucket last season, there was a game that he dominated hitter throwing just secondary pitches and also had a tight pitch count. Lester is the real deal!

I'm willing to bet the Cubs sign Zambrano to an extension before the july trading deadline. Probably a bloated backloaded deal. I thought I heard the Cubs already started to put out feelers towards there. If Zambrano's bright, he'll wait to see how much Zito signs for.

rugbyboy, you are right about lester. before last season the Red Sox, Baseball America, and other scouts and baseball people recognized Lester as the best pitcher in their farm system (ahead of Papelbon, in BA's case). The Sox definitely feel Lester has what it takes to be a #1-caliber pitcher. The most important thing for him is to just get himself healthy and ready to pitch, the Red Sox are hoping they won't need to rely on him in 2007.

I feel Lester, like the rest of the Sox young pitchers, will benefit greatly from working with new pitching coach John Farrell. He knows how to deal with them (look at Sabathia, Lee, Westbrook, Sowers, et al in Cleveland) and get the best out of them. I feel like once Lester learns how to have confidence in his fastball and start attacking the strike zone with it, he will not have any problems becoming a top major league pitcher.

I agree jon. now that the matsuzaka deal is just about done, it wouldn't make a whole lot of sense to go after clemens. for all the talk the team does about trying to build a team based around the future and avoiding quick fixes and impulsive action, why would they then turn around and give $20 million for one year to a 44-year-old guy? Besides, the Sox still need to get a backup catcher and 2 more bullpen arms (one will have to be a closer), and they are looking at going over the luxury tax with just addressing those needs.

SI.com is reporting a deal is done...

get this - 52 million over 6 years...if thats true what did the sox do to Boras to come down so far? or maybe matzusaka was getting lot of pressure from Seibu.

wow what a deal if that true

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/12/13/matsuzaka.signs/index.html

There is the link wow great move by the sox they got the years they wanted for less money......

without the bid, thats less than Batista money who is a 500 carrer pitcher. Theo is incredible. This team is great. Solid line up, great mix of verterns and young players. The only thing that could use some help is the bullpen but its not even that bad.
An important note is that they came through this offseason without giving up any young pitching or first round draft picks.
(Loretta was a Type A free agent)

Still need a closer though

Yes they lost a first rounder with the lugo signing. But wont they also recieve a 1st rounder from the team that signs foulke?

Foulke I believe is a type B free agent yet Rudy Seanez is a Type A!

Foulke wasnt a type A FA. As far as the yankees signing Clemons, i sure as hell hope not. All we need is another 40 year old starter who will only be around for half a season can cost a butt load of money. Congrats to all the Sox fans for getting the pitcher of the offseason.

I am STUNNED that they could pull this off for 8 mil a year (if that's accurate)! I expected atleast 10 mil... wow, go Theo!

I don't have much to say...but about Lester...he has No. 1-2 potential, at least according to what BA and everyone else said before he got called up last year. Keep in mind that we don't actually know when he started getting sick...I'm gonna take a wild guess that cancer might hurt your control, especially if the main system was constant soreness and fatigue. If he's fully healthy again this year, he could be a totally different pitcher then the one we saw last season.

jondogg1985,
Last year Houston had the same fans who wanted Clemens to close. Any call for that is just a basic misunderstanding of pitching. The old man has to work his ass off to pitch every five days, I'm not sure what makes people think he can pitch on back to back nights. He's a starter and his training is designed to do that. I agree with you, there is no possible way he can relieve. He's just not built for it.
I've got a trade idea for the Red Sox, Lidge and Purpura for Epstein. If Epstein can manage Boras, he's pretty good. If Purpura creates 3 holes to fill one, he's not. He's just a frogman.