Daisuke Matsuzaka -Let The Bidding Begin.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

I think the Drew thing is probably above-board and and shouldn't come as a surprise given Drew's history as a Boras "test case."

What's interesting to me is the possibility that the "out" was included with a jump to the Red Sox in mind.

[nymr83]

given Drew's alleged statements leading up to it and given my low opinion of Boras (when i picture Boras i picture a lawyer who encourages his clients to take the stand and commit perjury) I am definetaly suspicious. I don't think anything will be proved, but the Dodgers should file a grievance just to make a point.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I think it's established that J.D. Drew trusts Scott Boras when he says the market projects for you to make more money by walking.

It's not like he walked out on the Phils because of that great under-the-table St Paul Saints offer that he had.

[smg58]

Look, the Dodgers gave Drew the opportunity to walk, he took it and now they're mad. Boras considered the possibility that the market would be much better in two years, and the Dodgers failed to think so far ahead. I'm sure Boras tried to get a similar clause in Beltran's contract -- he got one for A-Rod, so I'd assume he considers it a standard thing to bargain over with his most valued clients. Boras didn't need specific information from Theo Epstein to know that Drew could get a better deal this year. Anybody (well, the Dodgers front office evidently excluded) could see the way the market was going, which I guess is equivalent to having "some idea what was out there." Unless he has some specific evidence to cite, and the article presents absolutely nothing, Colletti should shut up and reserve his finger-pointing for the mirror.

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Hey, if Boston gets slammed for "circumvent the posting process" in the Matsuzaka deal, do his rights go to the team with the #2 bid?

Because, y'know...

[metirish]

Did't Paul DePodesta sign Drew?

[Guest sharpie]

]Hey, if Boston gets slammed for "circumvent the posting process" in the Matsuzaka deal, do his rights go to the team with the #2 bid? Because, y'know...

No, he goes back to Japan. That is why Boras has no leverage.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Well, he goes back to Japan if the Red Sox can't sign him to a deal.

But if it's determined that the Red Sox circumvented the process in some way, then I suppose it's possible that the rights might go to the Mets. It would probably be at the discretion of Selig and the Japanese commissioner (or whoever's in charge over there).

Not likely to happen, but it's probably remotely possible.

[metirish]

If Colletti did file a grievance I wonder if MLB would halt all negotiations until they finished an investigation which might take a while,maybe even passed the deadline...

[Guest Rotblatt]

Does Seibu have any recourse in this? They stand to lose the most if Matsuzaka doesn't sign, and Boras convinces him to take some time off next year.

[smg58]

metirish wrote: Did't Paul DePodesta sign Drew?

Yes, I remembered that after I posted. In fact I think the unpopularity of the Drew deal was one of the factors in DePodesta getting fired. And Drew decides the deal wasn't enough and goes elsewhere. Baseball can be funny sometimes.

Which makes you wonder why Colletti cares so much. You would think he'd look on it as an opportunity to increase his stamp on the team, free of somebody else's controversial signing.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

I think its cuz Drew gave him the impression he'd stick around then skipped town like a wuss.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

="MLB.com"] Report: Matsuzaka talks stalled 12/10/2006 2:24 PM ET MLB.com Negotiations on a contract between the Red Sox and Daisuke Matsuzaka have broken down, a source told the Boston Herald late Saturday. The Red Sox have until midnight Thursday to sign the Japanese ace right-hander. But according to the paper, unless there is an 11th hour change of course, Matsuzaka would not be signing with Boston. The Red Sox won the rights to negotiate with Matsuzaka by bidding $51.1 million to the Seibu Lions. Matsuzaka would return to the Lions and the Japanese club would not receive any money if the 26-year-old does not sign with the Red Sox. According to the paper, Boston's initial offer was for between $7 million to $8 million per season for a four- to six-year contract, while Matsuzaka's agent, Scott Boras, is believed to be seeking $15 million a year.

[smg58]

If Boston thinks they could bid $51M for negotiating rights and then offer him $7M per year even beyond the two years he's still under contract in Seibu, either they were bidding just to keep the Yankees from getting him or they're certifiable.

[A Boy Named Seo]

I don't know, I don't think they're so crazy. Sure they want to sign him, but the Sox are in pretty good position. They have no competition driving up the price, and as badly as they want him, I don't see any way Boras happily takes nothing and watches Matsuzaka go back to Japan. Maybe 5 years/$55 mils gets it done.

[metirish]

If they did this just to stop the yankees form winning the bidding rights then I am fucking mad as hell,Omar could right be wrapping things up with Boras...still I don't think Boston are acting in bad faith.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Omar has nobody to blame but himself if he went in without a workable alternaitve plan.

If he doesn't sign with Boston, that makes a potential World Series opponent weaker, and I'm fine wit' that.

They could burn the Yankees a second time if he doesn't sign by signing Roger Clemens.

[metirish]

Edgy DC wrote: Omar has nobody to blame but himself if he went in without a workable alternaitve plan. If he doesn't sign with Boston, that makes a potential World Series opponent weaker, and I'm fine wit' that. They could burn the Yankees a second time if he doesn't sign by signing Roger Clemens.

All vert true,I need to look on the bright side..

[Frayed Knot]

I wonder if Boras was totally up front w/Matsuzaka about what he c/should expect from a contract on this side of the Pacific, or whether he sold him on the idea that a deal for north of $10mil/yr was a lock once the agent starting spinning his charm on whatever hapless GM won the bid.
Be interesting to see if Dice-K really wants to avoid returning to Japan to the point where he either instructs Boas to take the best deal or fires his ass in favor of someone who'll be willing to make a deal.

[metirish]

I think if it came to firing Boras then Boras would make the deal, his ego probably would demand it.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Who couldn't see the posting system turning into a clusterfuck like this.

I'm telling yas: There just has to be some kind of agreement to allow for the orderly movement of athletes between leagues. I suppose NPB could start by giving their players better rights, or MLB could hammer out some type of minorleaguy working agreement with NPB.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

BTW, you have to figure if the Red Sox cannot come to a deal with matsusaka they've got plenty of money to throw at the next LH guy ... Zito.

Looking to me more and more like the Mets might have to make that Jason Jennings trade or something.

[metirish]

Curt Schilling going the extra mile and learning Japanese,as is pitching coach John Farrell,Francona isn't though...

] For me, I can pat a guy on the back after eight good innings in any language,� he said. �That won�t be difficult

[Willets Point]

Is this shit not settled yet?

[metirish]

No it's not,Boras thinks he's worth $15 million a year while the Sox think he's worth a mere $8 million a year.

[smg58]

It won't be settled until Thursday close to midnight.

[soupcan]

Don't understimate the Japanese club's interest in getting this done. And I'm thinking the Red Sox aren't.

Could the Red Sox be surreptitiously trying to persuade them into throwing some of the $51 mil at the pitcher in order to enrich his deal with Boston knowing that if they don't they might be left holding a big fat bag of $0?

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

smg58 wrote: It won't be settled until Thursday close to midnight.

I read somewhere that the practical deadline, as opposed to the actual deadline, is closer to Tuesday, because of the need to schedule a physical and get the results.

[duan]

here's the thing; there was an argument SOMEWHERE that Boras could try to buy Matsuka out of his contract for $XX million if this negotiation fails and then argue that he's a free agent and go from there.

the whole process is a mess; I think as much because of the sealed bid/contract element being separate.

[metirish]

duan wrote: here's the thing; there was an argument SOMEWHERE that Boras could try to buy Matsuka out of his contract for $XX million if this negotiation fails and then argue that he's a free agent and go from there. the whole process is a mess; I think as much because of the sealed bid/contract element being separate.

WOW,to the high court we will go....now that would be a mess...