Matsuzaka?

Due to popular demand (thanks Abbie), I'd like to talk a little baseball. I guess I should start by giving my opinion of the Matsuzaka situation. For those of you who don't know, the Seibu Lions from Japan have a hotshot pitcher who some project would be an ace on any team in the major leagues. Obviously, they wouldn't want to release him from his contract unless they were paid bigtime. Seibu decided they would have a closed bid for all major league teams to see who was willing to offer the most money for the rights to negotiate with him. Everyone was expecting the Yankees to come in with the highest bid but surprisingly, the Sox were highest bidder. They bid 51.1 million when the next highest was 42 million. If they can't come to terms with the Mat, he will stay with the Lions and the Sox don't have to pay a thing. AAAAAAND, the bad guys can't pick him up either. If they come to terms, they will pay the Lions the 51.1 million and pay a salary of probably around 10 mil a year. It seems at first glance that this is a terrible idea, but there are other factors:

1. As I said before, the Yankees can't get him.
2. Some say that Japan is the new Dominican Republic (Look at the best players in the game today, and see how many are from the Dominican). It might be a big market in the future.
3. He was lights out in the World Baseball Classic. He's already prooven he can be clutch without throwing an MLB pitch.

I think it might be a bit much to pay for him, but maybe it will work out. I wouldn't say the Sox have made the best moves in the last few years. Beckett hasn't met expectations. They traded Hanley Ramirez (a potential allstar). I'm starting to wonder if the 04 Series was just fate, not front office intelligence.

Things to look forward too: Schilling is still there, Papelbon should be a starter, we still have a guy named Wily Mo. Only 5 more months until baseball season starts again.

Until then, Go Pats, Go Jags, Go Gators, and as always, GO SOX!!!