04/18/24
November 14, 2006
The Matsuzaka Watch is on: and the rumor is the Red Sox have entered the highest bid. How much is Matsuzaka worth? When will his arm fall off? Questions abound, but the biggest will be answered tonight.
What does it mean when they say that the Red Sox have paid 40 million to negotiate with Matsuzaka? Did they pay his old team $40 mil and now they have to give him a salary too? Yes. They paid his old team the right to negotiate with him, and now they have to come up with a salary. However, if they are unable to reach an agreement before a certain date (but they negotiate in good faith), then the posting money is returned to the Red Sox and Matsuzaka returns to Japan for one more season before becoming an unrestricted free agent. It is suggested that the Red Sox overbid on him in order to block the Yankees from winning the process and signing him. It is also suggested in dark corners that the Red Sox will offer a contract that is deemed "fair", but below market value. With Scott Boras as Matsuzaka's agent, most people suspect he'll ask for an outrageous contract (5yr, 55mil minimum, probably closer to 5yr, 70mil) and will simply become a free agent next year (where there won't be the onerous "posting fee" to block most teams). It should prove to be an interesting winter...
posted by grum@work at 05:00 PM on November 14, 2006
The way I look at it him and Zito are the only ones worth signing I would mention clemens but I don't care about the rocket anymore I wish he would just go away
posted by luther70 at 07:46 PM on November 14, 2006
Didn't realize the posting fee was for this season only. Interesting theory, Grum. I don't think he or Zito are worth the contracts being bandied about, and I wonder why a free-agent pitcher, money being reasonably equal, wouldn't automatically have a preference for the National League, where you get to pitch to one more dead spot in the lineup. (Except, of course, that in the AL you can throw at hitters and not have to face retaliation...)
posted by ajaffe at 08:07 PM on November 14, 2006
While I don't completely totally rule out grum's theory in regards to a below market price, by doing that the Red Sox would be burning a lot of bridges. First, they'd be screwing with Boras and burning that bridge isn't a good idea. Secondly, they'd be alienating the East entirely, a potential arena of wealth for merchandising, media and marketing.
posted by jerseygirl at 08:52 PM on November 14, 2006
Apparently he's worth 51.1 million. They now have 30 days to finalize the deal. Thats a lot of money. The shocker is the Yankee's weren't even the 2nd highest bidder for him. The kicker, he's never thrown a pitch in the MLB!
posted by jojomfd1 at 12:16 AM on November 15, 2006
The way I look at it him and Zito are the only ones worth signing I would mention clemens but I don't care about the rocket anymore I wish he would just go away They could send him with the periods and commas.
posted by jojomfd1 at 12:22 AM on November 15, 2006
From Gammons' ESPN Insider Blog (subscription required): "[T]he Red Sox strongly want to build an Asian foundation. When Theo Epstein left the Red Sox last fall, after he turned down the Dodger job, he worked with two Japanese teams as a consultant. Epstein believes in the next decade the mass of baseball talent coming out of Asia will alter the landscape, and his owners want to be entrenched in Japan as well as China; they signed three prominent Taiwanese prospects this spring, and are looking into establishing complexes in Taiwan and mainland China." Given his experience, I count Gammons as ten times more reliable on the Red Sox than most reporters out there -- I wasn't sold on the stories about Boston winning the bid until he weighed in -- and given what he says here, I don't think there is any merit to the theories that grum mentions. Simply put, the Red Sox learned last season that a shortage of good starting pitching is a potential downfall, and they believe Matsuzaka is the best available pitcher on the market. While the price tag is astonishing, you have to remember that this is not just another player, but a huge Japanese star who stands to bring in tons of revenue from that country. (Boras claims the Yankees bank $20m a year from Matsui, and if that's true, the Red Sox could easily make back their investment on the posting fee.) It's a risk, like any other signing, but the potential upside is tremendous. I'm guessing the contract will be something in the range of 4 years/$60m.
posted by Venicemenace at 06:43 AM on November 15, 2006
I don't think there is any merit to the theories that grum mentions. Agreed. I mentioned it only because I'd seen it talked about as one potential reason for the bid. I'd be surprised if they actually burned those bridges. Boras claims the Yankees bank $20m a year from Matsui, and if that's true, the Red Sox could easily make back their investment on the posting fee. Of course Boras would say something like that. I do know that the Yankees get a lot of Japanese sign advertisements at the park, but I'm not sure it would be worth $20million above what they'd get selling those signs to other companies. It's a risk, like any other signing, but the potential upside is tremendous. I'm guessing the contract will be something in the range of 4 years/$60m. If true, the Red Sox would be spending $111million over 4 years on a single player, or about $2.5million MORE per season than the contract ARod signed ($25million/year average). For a player who hasn't pitched in the majors. That's all kinds of f*cked up, right there.
posted by grum@work at 12:32 PM on November 15, 2006
It is what it is. Ace starters do not grow on trees, and very very rarely make it to the FA market in their prime. Should be interesting to see how much Zito goes for...I'd rather roll the dice on Matsuzaka than shell out for Zito. But that's just me.
posted by Venicemenace at 12:39 PM on November 15, 2006
$51 million just for the right to talk to somebody. Damn. Sounds like a 1-900 call I made once.
posted by BlueCarp at 01:16 PM on November 15, 2006
If true, the Red Sox would be spending $111million over 4 years on a single player, or about $2.5million MORE per season than the contract ARod signed ($25million/year average). No. The posting fee is a sunk cost. You can consider it if you like, but it's the cost of doing business in this case and irrelevant to calculations of the player's intrinsic value. Consider also that if Matsuszaka is as good as he could be, none of that posting fee counts against the luxury tax (compare and contrast with Randy Johnson's salary). With a soft cap like the tax in place (or a hard cap), rich teams will simply spend the money in other places like this, scouting, executives, facilities, etc. to give themselves a competitive advantage.
posted by yerfatma at 01:27 PM on November 15, 2006
Donovan's post on Yahoo was a pretty good synopsis - can't link it here, but basically he was saying that there is no longer any market for top tier starters in the ML through free agency. The commodity is too valuable, so these guys are getting long term deals much earlier. Boston is taking a risk, here - but there just aren't any 26 year-old aces that are going to be availble out there in the coming three years, so you best get the potential one now. And as far as Matasuzaka is concerned, he's been scouted pretty heavily and the general consensus seems to be that he's about as can't miss as they come. They question as always: durability.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:34 PM on November 15, 2006
This represents everything that is wrong with baseball. 51.1 million just to talk about possibly negotiating a contract, thats outrageous, I dont care if this guy is GOD, all the teams should have not participated in this crap.
posted by nymetsfan at 01:55 PM on November 15, 2006
What if the Met's 38m was the high bid? You'd be this disgusted?
posted by jerseygirl at 02:03 PM on November 15, 2006
Has there ever been an Asian pitcher who has enjoyed the type of success in MLB that would warrant this outrages negotiation taxation? I know Hideo Nomo was O.K. for a couple of years but now he's washed up. Hideki Irabu's fat ass never panned out, the underhanded pitcher from the D-Backs is always getting shelled, Kaz Ishi is a moderate talent, etc.... No stars to speak of. Ichiro has been the only asian to pan out. Even Matsui has been a bit of a disappointment
posted by yay-yo at 02:33 PM on November 15, 2006
I don't know where to start, yay-yo (Welcome to Sportsfilter. Here are our guidelines.) It's not a taxation. Do you know why the system of blind bidding is in place? Hideki Matsui has been a disappointment? Reaaaaaally? BH Kim hasn't been on the DBacks for years. Nomo joined MLB in 1995. Eleven years ago at the age of 27. That same year, his first in the majors, he was Rookie of the Year and made the All Star Team, while leading the NL in Strikeouts and Shutouts. He went on in 2001 to lead the AL in strikeouts. For four different seasons he's recorded over 200 strikeouts. He's had 2 no-hitters -- one in each league and remains the only pitcher to have a no-hitter at Coors Field. He's now 38. Washed up? No. Old and injured? Yes. I believe the word you were looking for is outrageous. Not the plural of outrage.
posted by jerseygirl at 03:03 PM on November 15, 2006
Matsui to me seems to be one of the most consistant guys on the yankees when healthy. What exactly did you expect out of him Yay Yo?
posted by louisville_slugger at 03:18 PM on November 15, 2006
What do you think the Fenway ticket prices are going to be? Hah! Take that, Yankees! The Sox sure have shown you!
posted by THX-1138 at 03:22 PM on November 15, 2006
What do you think the Fenway ticket prices are going to be? Same as last year except for the snooty premium seats, actually.
posted by jerseygirl at 03:24 PM on November 15, 2006
Ok, Ok. But $51 mil just to negotiate with Boras?
posted by THX-1138 at 03:59 PM on November 15, 2006
What do you think the Fenway ticket prices are going to be? Ticket prices have absolutely nothing to do with player salaries. They are not connected, except as a way for owners to falsely justify raising the price of the tickets.
posted by grum@work at 04:33 PM on November 15, 2006
No. The posting fee is a sunk cost. No, it's not a sunk cost because they haven't spent it yet. The moment they sign Matsuzaka, it becomes part of their overall "cost" for him. If they are unable to sign him (because the asking price for a contract is too high), then they get their money back. Any time you can get your money back, it can't be considered a "sunk cost". An example of a sunk cost would be deciding whether to cut him after the first season of the contract. The posting money and the first year of the contract would then be considered "sunk costs", as they have already been spent.
posted by grum@work at 04:36 PM on November 15, 2006
No stars to speak of. Ichiro has been the only asian to pan out. Even Matsui has been a bit of a disappointment Kenji Johjima did fine for the Mariners this year, and even got some ROY consideration. Shigetoshi Hasegawa was a better-than-average pitcher for 7 of his 9 seasons (and was phenomenal in 2003). Tadahito Iguchi played well enough to be the starting 2B for the 2005 World Series champions. Kaz Sasaki won ROY and made two all-star appearances before heading back to Japan after only 4 seasons. Maybe you didn't realize how many Japanese players have actually played in MLB...
posted by grum@work at 04:45 PM on November 15, 2006
Thanks, grum, I was being facetious and trying for a bit of humor with my remarks. Sorry for laying the egg. I still say $51 mil eez reedeecyoluz. That gyro pitch better come with a carrot and a "What's up, doc?"
posted by THX-1138 at 05:04 PM on November 15, 2006
Kenji Johjima did fine for the Mariners this year, and even got some ROY consideration. Shigetoshi Hasegawa was a better-than-average pitcher for 7 of his 9 seasons (and was phenomenal in 2003). Tadahito Iguchi played well enough to be the starting 2B for the 2005 World Series champions. Kaz Sasaki won ROY and made two all-star appearances before heading back to Japan after only 4 seasons. And you'd pay 51 mil to talk to any of these guys? I DONT THINK SO!
posted by yay-yo at 05:42 PM on November 15, 2006
Q&A with Matsuzaka and Japanese media snippets. I'm with yerfatma on the positioning of the posting fee. You have to separate those costs. The fact that the Red Sox bid 13M more than the Mets, who bid ??M more than the next team has absolutely no bearing on his contract value when compared to other players. It doesn't count towards their payroll so comparing it to Arod or Johnson seems ridiculous. I realize the amounts are different with Ichiro, but the landscape has changed since his posting and you'd have to think he find a much higher posting value too. Will fans make that separation? Of course not, he'll be a 100M pitcher the minute he lays his first egg. How will he perform? It's been the talk of the town with projections ranging from 17 wins / 2.52 ERA to 3.50 (linked out of justgary's HT article too). He still has to face the AL East though and that's not gonna be a walk in the park, you'd think. btw, kudos to the usual suspects in the baseball blog community. They have done an amazing job leading up to and through yesterday on Matsuzaka.
posted by YukonGold at 07:08 PM on November 15, 2006
And you'd pay 51 mil to talk to any of these guys? I DONT THINK SO! Of course not. I wouldn't pay that sort of posting fee for free agent player, unless they were named Albert Pujols or Johan Santana. But I was just pointing out that you were wrong when you said there were "no [Asian] stars to speak of".
posted by grum@work at 07:09 PM on November 15, 2006
Boras claims the Yankees bank $20m a year from Matsui, and if that's true, the Red Sox could easily make back their investment on the posting fee. That may be true, but I imagine the Yankees are subject to the same revenue sharing policies the Red Sox are and today's Boston Globe has an article looking at the finances.
"That's pretty rich," said Andrew Zimbalist, a Smith College economist who specializes in baseball finances, of the projected investment. "But it looks like it's more about winning than revenues." Zimbalist estimated that the Sox might gain no more than $3 million a year by cashing in on the Japanese icon because they would be required under major league rules to equally distribute the vast majority of their earnings related to the merchandising of Matsuzaka with the 29 other teams. By all indications, the Sox would have to devise a unique marketing strategy to reap a financial windfall.
posted by YukonGold at 07:37 PM on November 15, 2006
But I was just pointing out that you were wrong when you said there were "no [Asian] stars to speak of". Good for you! (Although you didn't point out any either) But I did acknowledge Ichiro.
posted by yay-yo at 09:40 PM on November 15, 2006
Good for you! (Although you didn't point out any either) So, Nomo and Sasaki didn't qualify as star pitchers, despite their success at the MLB level? You're qualifications are ridiculously high and serve no purpose other than to be argumentative.
posted by grum@work at 11:49 PM on November 15, 2006
You're qualifications are ridiculously high and serve no purpose other than to be argumentative. argument is an intellectual process. contradiction is just the automatic gainsaying of any statement the other person makes.
posted by goddam at 11:59 PM on November 15, 2006
Yukon, after some further reading (like the Zimbalist interview you quoted) and talk radio listening, I think Boras' $20m figure is bogus. There's not too much money to be made except through stadium signage and perhaps increased road gate revenues. And I'm sure the Sox front office knew that, so this is largely a baseball decision. It's a little off to say "$51 million just to talk to him". The money is for exclusive negotiating rights. The Devil Rays won the other posting process (for the third baseman Akinori Iwamura), reportedly paying a few million more than the second bidder. Although their total bid was only about $4 million, percentage-wise they overbid about the same amount. It's the same situation, really; if you decide that you really want the guy, you go all-out to get him. Given that the NY teams were willing to drop between $30 and $40 million, I don't think the $51 million bid is THAT absurd...just proof that the Red Sox wanted to ensure that they won the bidding.
posted by Venicemenace at 06:58 AM on November 16, 2006
More on the revenue implications from Hardball Times.
"Between 2000 and 2006, Seattle’s revenues have increased by $67 million. The five teams closest in revenues to Seattle in 2000 have seen their income increase by an average of $54 million. Between 2002 and 2006, the Yankees’ revenues have gone up $62 million, versus an average increase of $21 million for the five teams closest to them in revenues in ’02. If average all of that together, we can estimate that signing a Japanese star player is worth something like $9 million a year. But wait, we’re not done. $9 million in 2001 is not the same as $9 million in 2007. Adjusting for inflation (in baseball, inflation has held at a pretty steady 10% a year), we find that the Red Sox should expect to see their revenues in 2007 to increase by about $14 million should they sign Matsuzaka. That’s a sizeable chunk of change."
posted by YukonGold at 07:03 AM on November 16, 2006
I think the Hardball Times should stick to baseball stats. I don't think I ever saw a serious econ discussion that included the phrase "If average all of that together" in re: diverse, noisy figures. If I average the distance to the Sun in inches as well, we'll be looking at some "outrages" numbers. Any time you can get your money back, it can't be considered a "sunk cost". Yeah, but that seems a meaningless distinction here. Your argument hinges entirely on the fact the transfer fee is refundable (and thus, on the idea the Sox will not settle with the player). If the fee were non-refundable, my perspective would be more obvious (though not necessarily any more correct): once they sit down at the table, the Sox have no business bringing that number up during salary negotiations. As such, I don't see how that # is relevant in a discussion of Matsuzaka's worth. The $51 million is only germane to Weedy's point above about the value of getting an exclusive negotiating chance with a major league-quality starter. Think of it this way: if this were 2007 and he was a free agent and all teams were able to make an offer to Boras, in addition to whatever they sign him for (say $9 million per year) how much of that $51 million would the Sox still have to pay to get him? The demand curve for the player hasn't changed because of this process, there's simply a dead-weight loss somewhere in there because of the third party (his current team) enforcing an artificial bargaining restriction. goddam, to you I say, "No it's not"
posted by yerfatma at 10:36 AM on November 16, 2006
Real economics. I'll be sleeping under my desk if you need me.
posted by YukonGold at 10:41 AM on November 16, 2006
You're qualifications are ridiculously high and serve no purpose other than to be argumentative. Perhaps yours are too low. Maybe I'm just wrong for wanting to get something more for my money.
posted by yay-yo at 11:28 AM on November 16, 2006
You argue like a 10 year old. No, you are. What money are you talking about?
posted by jerseygirl at 11:40 AM on November 16, 2006
By the way, I believe that Matsuzaka would not be a free-and-clear free agent for another TWO years. If no deal happens this winter, they'll post him again next year. But I seriously doubt it will come to that.
posted by Venicemenace at 12:04 PM on November 16, 2006
Your argument hinges entirely on the fact the transfer fee is refundable (and thus, on the idea the Sox will not settle with the player). To be slightly pedantic, not that they won't settle with the player, but that they won't reach a mutually agreeable contract settlement, in much the same way they do with any other free agent. For example: Negotiating with player A: Team: "$14mil/year for 5 years." Player A: "Not enough." Team: "$16mil/year for 5 years." Player A: "Okay." (The team is now on the hook for $80million.) Negotiating with Matsuzaka: Team: "$14mil/year for 5 years." Matsuzaka: "Not enough." Team: "16mil/year for 5 years." Matsuzaka: "This is good." (The team is now on the hook for $131million.) In both cases, if they don't reach an agreement with either player then they are on the hook for $0. (Ed note: I tried to drop Japanese characters into the right places, but it came out as all ???? instead. Any idea how to fix that?)
posted by grum@work at 12:13 PM on November 16, 2006
My original question:Has there ever been an Asian pitcher who has enjoyed the type of success in MLB that would warrant this outrages negotiation taxation? What money are you talking about? Jersey Girl (genius) HINT: Try reading the story. And MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS!
posted by yay-yo at 01:39 PM on November 16, 2006
Hint: You're not long for Sportsfilter.
posted by jerseygirl at 01:44 PM on November 16, 2006
Any idea how to fix that? Fly to Japan?
posted by YukonGold at 01:51 PM on November 16, 2006
I tried to drop Japanese characters into the right places, but it came out as all ???? instead. Any idea how to fix that? If you're using Firefox, I don't know, because I've never had a problem with FF's handling of character encoding. If you cut and pasted from some other app (let's for example say a Microsoft Office family member), that could be the problem.
posted by yerfatma at 04:05 PM on November 16, 2006
A couple articles in the local media with "scouting" reports: #1 and #2. While #1 has that special New England sports flavor (i.e., "This guy is already a flop and this is a bad move"), I like #2 better as it features old friend Lou Merloni once again getting ink for something I could do just as well as he. Lou never faced Matsuzaka in Japan, but he saw him on the teevee. Which one could theoretically have done from a Laz-y-boy in Framingham, MA during the WBC. grum, I couldn't get it to work either. Either ColdFusion garbles it on insert or the database field isn't set to NTEXT.
posted by yerfatma at 04:10 PM on November 16, 2006
And MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS! What a novel idea. Minding your own buisness on an Internet forum. If you didn't want your uninformed ideas picked apart by more inteligent people then you shouldn't have bothered to waste our time with them.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 04:43 PM on November 16, 2006
by more inteligent people And you are... (an egomaniac or an asshole?) And I still haven't heard one valid argument in favor of paying 51 mil to talk to an asian pitcher. Please enlighten me oh wise one.
posted by yay-yo at 04:56 PM on November 16, 2006
Yay-yo, you must have missed it earlier, I really didn't give it the proper attention it deserves. You really should check out our site guidelines. There's a wealth of information there in regards to the rules of the road here at Sportsfilter. Thanks.
posted by jerseygirl at 05:41 PM on November 16, 2006
I think I see how it works. There are a few people on here that are allowed to do/say/type whatever they want and if anyone has a problem with it, then you quote the "guidelines". Guidelines that only pertain to certain people. If you don't want a reaction then don't provoke people. You argue like a 10 year old. No, you are. If you have something relevant to add to the discussion, feel free. If you have an opinion that is contrary to mine, go ahead and express it. There's no need for you to attack me. Pretty immature behavior for people who are so inteligent.
posted by yay-yo at 06:33 PM on November 16, 2006
What money are you talking about? Ixnay, erseyjay, it's Heotay Steniepay! He's paying the fifty-one large out of the Sox' Pension Fund!
posted by The_Black_Hand at 06:47 PM on November 16, 2006
I think I see how it works. There are a few people on here that are allowed to do/say/type whatever they want and if anyone has a problem with it, then you quote the "guidelines". Guidelines that only pertain to certain people. The guidelines are for everyone. We developed them as a whole to make them applicable, useable and realistic. New members, generally, are directed to the guidelines because they aren't lead through them in the sign-up process. There are also some people who are totally unaware of them. It's to help the entire community. Better someone knows the site rules ahead of time, than end up banned out of ignorance. There's no need for you to attack me. Pretty immature behavior for people who are so inteligent. Don't make an attempt at martyrdom or painting yourself as a victim, especially when you just called YYM an egomaniac and an asshole. If you have something relevant to add to the discussion, feel free. I've had plenty relevant to add to the discussion. You just chose to ignore it. Oh, and then told me to mind my own business when I asked for clarification on your comment, which totally contradicts imploring people to add something relevant to the discussion.
posted by jerseygirl at 06:47 PM on November 16, 2006
Don't make an attempt at martyrdom or painting yourself as a victim, especially when you just called YYM an egomaniac and an asshole. Actually I asked which one he was, AFTER he came to the conclusion that he was so much more inteligent than me. Oh, and then told me to mind my own business when I asked for clarification on your comment, Jersey: You argue like a 10 year old. No, you are. I don't see a question mark.
posted by yay-yo at 07:11 PM on November 16, 2006
What money are you talking about? Jersey Girl (genius) HINT: Try reading the story. And MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS! Comment icon posted by yay-yo at 1:39 PM CST on November 16 I don't see a question mark. I do.
posted by jerseygirl at 07:15 PM on November 16, 2006
Talk about the fucking topic or drop dead. Your best-by date seems to have expired back when people actually used "yay-yo" as a drug reference.
posted by yerfatma at 07:35 PM on November 16, 2006
Please enlighten me oh wise one. What money are you talking about? Jersey Girl (genius) You said it yourself. Jerseygirl is a genius. Maybe you should try allowing her to enlighten you. Her knowlage is vast, her heritage is long, and she makes a mean apple pie. And if you choose not to listen to her, please at least read the guidelines. It will make your stay here much more pleasant.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 08:18 PM on November 16, 2006
Why is it a problem when I don't talk about the topic? But not a problem when everyone else decides to gang up on someone? Oh right! The guidelines only apply to SOME people.
posted by yay-yo at 08:20 PM on November 16, 2006
Actually, I think a few justifications have been presented for the $51 million bid: 1) If Matsuzaka turns out to be a #1 starter, as some project, it is a very rare opportunity to pick one up in his prime. Johan Santana and Roy Halladay won't be hitting the free market anytime soon. The rarest and most crucial commodities in sports come at a premium (witness the price tag for really great left tackles). 2) The NY teams bid in the range of 30-40 million, and the Red Sox wanted to ensure that they wouldn't be outbid for Matsuzaka. So they added another chunk on top of what they thought other teams would bid. This is totally analogous to the Devil Rays' bid on Iwamura, just on a much larger scale. 3) Because Matsuzaka is considered a national treasure in Japan, the Sox stand to recoup at least some of the posting fee through marketing (not only signage but also virtual signage, road gate, and a vast increase in the population of Red Sox Nation). Even though they have to split the int'l revenues with all other teams, it'll still be Red Sox gear being bought and sported in the streets of Japan. As for the "asian pitcher" part of your question, I think grum (who fully agrees with you that the posting fee is over the top) has justified that Asian pitchers have found success in MLB. Anyway, what's your point in repeatedly stressing his Asian-ness? Isn't it possible that this Asian pitcher could surpass the accomplishments of past Asian pitchers? Or are you fully convinced that NO Asian pitcher could ever be any good? I don't know how much more justification you can demand, given that (a) it isn't your money and (b) your baseball knowledge is questionable, given that you don't even know who Brandon Webb is.
posted by Venicemenace at 06:33 AM on November 17, 2006
I don't have anything against asian pitchers, players, or people in general. I'm just wondering why all of a sudden it's necessary to pay so much to negotiate with one. It would be understandable if an asian pitcher came into the league and changed the game recently, and Matsuzaka is considered better than he. South American and Carribean players have done 1000 times better in MLB and they aren't warranting any of these astounding fees. FYI: The Brandon Webb thing was SARCASM. I was just alluding to the fact that the NL Cy Young race was a joke this year.
posted by yay-yo at 09:17 AM on November 17, 2006
Because Latin players are free agents, able to sign and negotiate with anyone as long as they are 16 years old and are not already part of a professional baseball league, like Matsuzka is.
posted by jerseygirl at 09:27 AM on November 17, 2006
Sarcasm is about 99% tone of voice. It doesn't work in written English without an overt indication.
posted by Venicemenace at 09:30 AM on November 17, 2006
What does it mean when they say that the Red Sox have paid 40 million to negotiate with Matsuzaka? Did they pay his old team $40 mil and now they have to give him a salary too? He better be the next Rocket.