Matsuzaka: Red Sox Win w/ $51.1M Bid

[10man]

Possbily tonight. It is night there right now so maybe by morning over there some of the Japanese papers will have found out something.

You forget that they are a half day ahead, so tonight will be Saturday morning for them...I'm guessing the board will not make their decision over the weekend.

this is a pretty big deal for them, they may not be waiting around for 5 oclock and then saying 'okay time to go, everyone have a good weekend'. the japanese are hard workers, maybe will be putting in some OT this weekend. i hope.

IMO 32 business hours is plenty enough to make this decision. I hope you are right, but as the clock ticks it seems more likely that we are not going to hear anything from Japan until next week. However, that does not rule out leaks coming from the MLB offices in DC. Until the Lions accept the offer, they should have no clue what team it comes from.

yes the japanese are hard workers but you have to remember the decision is not being made by middle management. it falls upon the board directors who are not bound to come to work from 8am-5pm let alone coming to the office everyday. the board of directors usually meet only once or twice a month, but this decision will probably warrant a specially convened meeting and so it's possible that they would meet even if it is the weekend.

[10man]

Quick Question: Does Matsuzaka's club absolutely have to accept the highest offer??? For instance, if they somehow thought that a bid of 45 million was never going to reach their pockets could they not move on to what was thought to be a more "sincere" bid?

MLB only informs Seibu of the highest bid. they are not informed on who the team is or what the other bids are. if/when Seibu accepts is the only time MLB reveals who the team is and what the winning bid is to the general public.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Sullivan speculates that if the Cubs lose out on Matsuzaka, they will make a strong push for Igawa.

 

hough the Cubs entered a bid for Japanese ace Daisuke Matsuzaka, there's a better chance they will wind up with 27-year-old left-hander Kei Igawa, whom the Hanshin Tigers made available Friday.

 

Igawa, who was 14-9 this season, has led the Central League in strikeouts three of the last six seasons but isn't considered to be as sure of making a smooth transition to U.S. baseball as Matsuzaka.

 

If the Cubs don't land the rights to Matsuzaka they are almost sure to bid aggressively for Igawa. The Cubs had been interested in right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, but he re-signed with Hiroshima.

 

Link.

[Outshined_One]

What the heck happened to Saito?

[Laura]

Sullivan speculates that if the Cubs lose out on Matsuzaka, they will make a strong push for Igawa.

 

hough the Cubs entered a bid for Japanese ace Daisuke Matsuzaka, there's a better chance they will wind up with 27-year-old left-hander Kei Igawa, whom the Hanshin Tigers made available Friday.

 

Igawa, who was 14-9 this season, has led the Central League in strikeouts three of the last six seasons but isn't considered to be as sure of making a smooth transition to U.S. baseball as Matsuzaka.

 

If the Cubs don't land the rights to Matsuzaka they are almost sure to bid aggressively for Igawa. The Cubs had been interested in right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, but he re-signed with Hiroshima.

 

Link.

 

Yay? :|

 

Who's the second choice for 3B?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Sullivan speculates that if the Cubs lose out on Matsuzaka, they will make a strong push for Igawa.

 

hough the Cubs entered a bid for Japanese ace Daisuke Matsuzaka, there's a better chance they will wind up with 27-year-old left-hander Kei Igawa, whom the Hanshin Tigers made available Friday.

 

Igawa, who was 14-9 this season, has led the Central League in strikeouts three of the last six seasons but isn't considered to be as sure of making a smooth transition to U.S. baseball as Matsuzaka.

 

If the Cubs don't land the rights to Matsuzaka they are almost sure to bid aggressively for Igawa. The Cubs had been interested in right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, but he re-signed with Hiroshima.

 

Link.

 

Yay? :|

 

Who's the second choice for 3B?

 

Mark DeRosa ? :shrug:

[Neuby]

Any chance that we can get Bruce Miles in for NSSB Q&A? We desperately need updates on Aram, DM's winning bid, J.D Drew, and Who's plan B at 3B?

[jmajew]

Sullivan speculates that if the Cubs lose out on Matsuzaka, they will make a strong push for Igawa.

 

hough the Cubs entered a bid for Japanese ace Daisuke Matsuzaka, there's a better chance they will wind up with 27-year-old left-hander Kei Igawa, whom the Hanshin Tigers made available Friday.

 

Igawa, who was 14-9 this season, has led the Central League in strikeouts three of the last six seasons but isn't considered to be as sure of making a smooth transition to U.S. baseball as Matsuzaka.

 

If the Cubs don't land the rights to Matsuzaka they are almost sure to bid aggressively for Igawa. The Cubs had been interested in right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, but he re-signed with Hiroshima.

 

Link.

 

I'd much rather have Igawa if the winning bid was actually 38-45 million. I can't fathom paying up to 95 million for 5 years of one player. Especially an untested one at that.

[YearofDaCubs]

According to Rotoworld there have been more sources now confirming that the Red Sox won the bid for Matsuzuka.

 

Numerous baseball sources told the Providence Journal that an ESPN.com report saying the Red Sox had tendered the highest offer -- between $38 million and $45 million -- for Daisuke Matsuzaka was probably accurate.

They're still only rumors, but it really is appearing more likely that the Red Sox won the bidding. The Boston Herald says that, at the moment, all signs point to the Red Sox being the high bidder, adding that the club believes it can reclaim much of the investment by extending its baseball and marketing efforts into Japan.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Sullivan speculates that if the Cubs lose out on Matsuzaka, they will make a strong push for Igawa.

 

hough the Cubs entered a bid for Japanese ace Daisuke Matsuzaka, there's a better chance they will wind up with 27-year-old left-hander Kei Igawa, whom the Hanshin Tigers made available Friday.

 

Igawa, who was 14-9 this season, has led the Central League in strikeouts three of the last six seasons but isn't considered to be as sure of making a smooth transition to U.S. baseball as Matsuzaka.

 

If the Cubs don't land the rights to Matsuzaka they are almost sure to bid aggressively for Igawa. The Cubs had been interested in right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, but he re-signed with Hiroshima.

 

Link.

 

I'd much rather have Igawa if the winning bid was actually 38-45 million. I can't fathom paying up to 95 million for 5 years of one player. Especially an untested one at that.

 

Agreed.

[Backtobanks]

Sullivan speculates that if the Cubs lose out on Matsuzaka, they will make a strong push for Igawa.

 

hough the Cubs entered a bid for Japanese ace Daisuke Matsuzaka, there's a better chance they will wind up with 27-year-old left-hander Kei Igawa, whom the Hanshin Tigers made available Friday.

 

Igawa, who was 14-9 this season, has led the Central League in strikeouts three of the last six seasons but isn't considered to be as sure of making a smooth transition to U.S. baseball as Matsuzaka.

 

If the Cubs don't land the rights to Matsuzaka they are almost sure to bid aggressively for Igawa. The Cubs had been interested in right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, but he re-signed with Hiroshima.

 

Link.

 

I'd much rather have Igawa if the winning bid was actually 38-45 million. I can't fathom paying up to 95 million for 5 years of one player. Especially an untested one at that.

 

Agreed.

 

AMEN! For that much money you can sign someone like Schmidt AND a #4 or #5 starter and at least have some idea of what you're getting for the money.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Typical Cubs fans. Rationalize the failure. Way to go. This is a guy the deadbeat Cubs should have gone and got. But like dozens of impact free agents before, the Cubs make a token effort and lose out, yet again.

 

I love this team for all of my 42 years, but I'm sick of losing to others. This completely sucks.

[questionmarkgrace]

What the heck happened to Saito?

 

apparently he got hurt. At first I heard he was dropping out of some off season competition, I assume it was vs the mlb all star, to get ready for the posting process. ANd I read he was saying his shoulder or something else was hurt to get out of it. But now it seems like he is hurt. It sucks because after watching video of all the japanese pitchers he was definetly second best to Matsuzaka, even though he had a better year than Matz did.

I'm not so sure about Igawa. He more than any other japanese pitcher is on the decline since winning 20 games a few years back. ALso seems to have control issues

[E.J.]

Ken Rosenthal[/url]"]If it's true, as reported, that the Red Sox bid $38 million to $45 million for Matsuzaka's rights, they might not even intend to sign him.

 

One rival executive says flatly that the Red Sox could not come up with such a sum for Matsuzka's Japanese team, the Seibu Lions, within the prescribed 35-day limit.

 

Others believe that Sox owner John Henry could indeed produce the cash, but that the team's true goal would be to block the Yankees.

 

The commissioner's office could intercede if the Sox failed to make a good-faith effort to sign Matsuzaka, perhaps even awarding the rights to the next-highest bidder.

[cubweiser03]

Typical Cubs fans. Rationalize the failure. Way to go. This is a guy the deadbeat Cubs should have gone and got. But like dozens of impact free agents before, the Cubs make a token effort and lose out, yet again.

 

I love this team for all of my 42 years, but I'm sick of losing to others. This completely sucks.

 

42 years and now you say this completely sucks? Surely you've said this before, whats one more year. :)

 

Ive been indifferent on this dude, i have an apprehension of japanese imports. Ichiro is a flat out freak, a talent like few. There have been some miserable errors as well as some success stories. Im more comfortable with Japanese pitchers going to the bullpen than going into the starting rotation. When i saw the chart about his fastballs being strikes 42% scared me. Not necessarily from saying he wont be a good pitcher but the amount of money to pay for him makes it scarier.

[Backtobanks]

Typical Cubs fans. Rationalize the failure. Way to go. This is a guy the deadbeat Cubs should have gone and got. But like dozens of impact free agents before, the Cubs make a token effort and lose out, yet again.

 

I love this team for all of my 42 years, but I'm sick of losing to others. This completely sucks.

 

I've been a Cub fan for all of my 59 years and I'm sick of losing too, but you do have to be somewhat rational about these salaries. Paying a total of $100 million for Matsuzaka is totally unrational. Signing him and not being able to afford others to fill the numerous holes on the Cubs just doesn't make sense. Everything I've read sounds like he is very good, but let's not forget he hasn't proven himself in the majors yet. As I stated before, that kind of money can fill 2-3 holes on the Cubs with players who have a proven track record.

[Wheelimus]

Nevermind that you know Boras is going to demand a three year deal that releases him to free agency when it's up. If (key word there) the posting fee really is $35 million or more, you're easily looking at a 3/60 or worse contract.

 

I know he'll be good, but I'd personally rather offer 3/45 to Schmidt and extend Zambrano, if the price is that high.

[jmajew]

So whats the deal with Igawa? Is he a free agent or is he going ot get posted? Sorry if this was already answered I can't rememeber.

[E.J.]

So whats the deal with Igawa? Is he a free agent or is he going ot get posted? Sorry if this was already answered I can't rememeber.

 

From Rotoworld:

 

Kei Igawa-S- Player Nov. 10 - 10:22 am et

 

 

The Hanshin Tigers confirmed Friday that they'd post left-hander Kei Igawa, making him available to major league teams.

The bidding process will likely begin next week. Igawa's rights could go for $5 million-$10 million. He'd then likely want at least $5 million per year to sign. The 27-year-old went 13-8 with a 3.11 ERA last season. The Mets and Yankees recently scouted him, and the Braves, Dodgers and Mariners have all been mentioned in connection with him.

[UMFan83]

Typical Cubs fans. Rationalize the failure. Way to go. This is a guy the deadbeat Cubs should have gone and got. But like dozens of impact free agents before, the Cubs make a token effort and lose out, yet again.

 

I love this team for all of my 42 years, but I'm sick of losing to others. This completely sucks.

 

I mostly agree. Just shut up and do what needs to be done to win the World Series. You stupid bums

[Brian]

I will be so irate if Matsuzaka gets blocked from the MLB becasue the stupid Red Sox wanted to Eff around with the stupid Yankees.

[Outshined_One]

I will be so irate if Matsuzaka gets blocked from the MLB becasue the stupid Red Sox wanted to Eff around with the stupid Yankees.

 

MLB said they would step in if anything like that happened. Also, the Red Sox have a strong need for starting pitching. They really could use Matsuzaka.

[radarluv1]

I will be so irate if Matsuzaka gets blocked from the MLB becasue the stupid Red Sox wanted to Eff around with the stupid Yankees.

 

MLB said they would step in if anything like that happened. Also, the Red Sox have a strong need for starting pitching. They really could use Matsuzaka.

 

i'd like to see the red sox demand 5 yrs or more. selig and boras would really get their shorts in a bunch if things get dicey.

[Outshined_One]

Too good not to share.

 

:lol:

[Butterscup1679666578]

Too good not to share.

 

:lol:

 

That is brilliant.