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Posted by buzzorhowl on 2006-11-14 16:23:21 +0000

There's a weak free agent pitching class this year. Jason Schmidt is a #3 in Fenway, and Zito would get absolutely clobbered there. If they lock up Matsuzaka, who is 26, the rotation gets younger (and presumably more solid). Holmes has never pitched in the States before, so there will be an adjustment period.

Posted by MF DU on 2006-11-14 16:29:07 +0000

I like the Godzilla image on Boston Dirt Dogs this morning... Matsui vs. Matsuzaka could be pretty awesome.

Posted by tendiamonds on 2006-11-14 16:38:30 +0000

The Red Sox currently have the pitcher most likely to make batters look stupid. (Wakefield) Theoretically, Matsuzaka will outrank him with his mythical gyroball. (which he claims he doesn't pitch, which makes it more mythical) Making opposing batters look stupid is more important than winning, for my entertainment purposes, especially when that opposing batter is a Yankee.

Posted by tommy on 2006-11-14 17:50:45 +0000

I'm not excited. Pre-2004, my attitude was "anything to win the series". Now, I'd rather have a scrappy bunch of overachievers (even if that means going .500) than a cast of highly-paid superstars (even if that means winning it all again). My formerly second-favorite team is now my favorite team.

Posted by tendiamonds on 2006-11-15 14:19:09 +0000

I agree, mostly. I want to see a young team of homegrown scrappers that play the game right and are fun to watch. This isn't about winning, it's about playing the game. However, I'm willing to give special dispensation to deals involving international leagues, as they are a product of the system. They are trading $51 million for a player. That's way better than trading the National League Rookie of the Year. I like to see a slimmer payroll, but if they spend more money off the payroll, I don't give a shit. Oh, and how about the Marlins? Three out of the top four rookie of the year candidates? Six out of the twelve guys that got any votes at all? Anibel Sanchez!

Posted by tgl on 2006-11-15 15:26:33 +0000

Why can't we get guys like Hanley Ramirez?

Posted by tgl on 2006-11-15 15:31:59 +0000

$1 million per win. If Matsuzaka lives up to the promise, then, he's not overpaid. tgl's managerial rule of thumb: for every $1 million spent on pitching payroll, expect one regular season win. Everything else is gravy. --- Last 25 game winner in the majors? Steve Stone for the Birds in 1980. --- Just now reread your comment, and he would still be highly paid. Natch. --- I root for whoever's on my credit card.

Posted by tendiamonds on 2006-11-15 15:35:57 +0000

For stuff like this, I go with the "it's not my money" school of fandom. This is money spent on non-baseball-related activity... like NASCAR!

Posted by buzzorhowl on 2006-11-15 16:01:44 +0000

The $51 million has nothing to do with either salary or the cap -- it's for the right to negotiate with him. All told, this will be a 100 million dollar deal.

Posted by tgl on 2006-11-15 16:28:27 +0000

He gets signed for two, three or four years? If four years, I like. I think.

Posted by tendiamonds on 2006-11-15 16:48:12 +0000

I'll bet 4 years at $12-13 million per.