Top Sports Story - 11.14.06

Sox Roll The Dais On Matsuzaka
By Glen Maganzini

On Tuesday afternoon, the Boston Red Sox bid 51.1 million dollars for just the right to negotiate with Japanese star pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka.

The 26 year old played with the Seibu Lions from 1999 to 2006 compiling a record of 108-60 and average E.R.A of 2.95.

"It shows [The Red Sox] really appreciate my ability," said Matsuzaka at a mini press conference in Tokyo on Wednesday.

If the Red Sox want to appreciate his ability a little bit more personally, they will need to sign him to an actual contract ----- a feat that could be tough considering his agent is the infamous Scott Boras. The deal that Boras might want for his client maybe in the 10 million dollar a year range and multiple years. A 5 year, 50 million dollar deal would have meant the Sox invested 100 million dollars in a player who hasn't pitched on American soil.

If Matsuzaka does indeed sign, he will almost immediately be placed at the top of Boston's otherwise depleted rotation. With Curt Schilling finally showing his age, and Josh Beckett struggling to find consistency, the gyroballer could end up being a number one starter. Some baseball experts have hailed him as potentially being the best pitcher in the league, while others doubt whether his strong seasons in Japan will translate in the United States.

Stay tuned...