and only 30 Million to neg with him??? Daisuke Matsuzaka hopes his next pitch will be in the major leagues. The most dominant pitcher in Japanese baseball for the last eight seasons, Matsuzaka had his path cleared when the Seibu Lions officially agreed to release the 26-year-old ace. Matsuzaka's rights will be "posted," meaning that all 30 major league teams can bid on the righty. The club with the highest bid gains the right to attempt to sign the pitcher. Reports say the Lions plan to charge a major league team $30 million just for rights to negotiate with Matsuzaka.

anyway, talk about a great pitching performance!!! After throwing 250 pitches in Yokohama High School's 17-inning quarterfinal victory, he came in the next day to get the save in the semis before tossing a no-hitter the following day as his team won the championship.

so how would do you think he will pan out in MLB??? Since turning professional in 1999, Matsuzaka has dominated Japan's pro leagues. He consistently throws in the high-90s mph and has superb command of his off-speed pitches. A first-round draft pick in the 1998 amateur draft, Matsuzaka has led the Pacific League in wins three times and in strikeouts four times while winning the ERA title twice. Matsuzaka first burst onto the scene at the 1998 national high school baseball tournament. At the inaugural World Baseball Classic, he went 3-0 in leading Japan to the championship. At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Matsuzaka shut out Cuba for eight innings.

Boom or Bust???

[font=century gothic]I'm calling it right now, that in two or year years time, he turns into the next Hideki Irabu.[/font]

The Yankees will pay $30 million to talk to him. He is that good.

Probably the NY, LA and Boston will bid on him. I just saw a story that said bidding has started and will last till Wed. Then the Japanese team will be told what sealed bid is the highest and then that team will get 1 month to neg. The $ will only have to be paid if a contract is made. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if the top bid is about 50 Million by a team that doesn't want to lose him.

After losing in the playoffs, is anyone doubting that Steinnbrenner and the Yankees will make the biggest bid. After all, the Yankees don't have twice the payroll of the #2 highest team for nothing. Itr is just because of Steinbrenner.

Actually, reports in a Japanese newspaper says the yanks are expected to bid under 20m.

maybe the 30 Million # was not true, anyway, did they say who are expected to bid?

Yeah but I can't remember the teams. There were 4 ...

I searched the internet and they mentioned these teams as possibility still in it: Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Red Sox, and Rangers. The teams probably not in it anymore like the Orioles, Dodgers, Angels, and Giants. They also talked about the Texas owner loving to throw money around but the Mets are probably the frontleaders. Also on the Yankees rumor 20 Million $ bid, that could be true or that could be to fake out others. I just don't think Steinbreener would play his whole hand so early so I would bet that the Yankees will bid over that or would he turn him over to the Mets so easily.

so with the deadline on Wed night, it seems that lots of teams are still in but smartly none are saying what they are bidding. Also I wonder if some teams are re-thinking based on this, The interest in Matsuzaka could be linked to the last time a star Japanese player had his contract "posted." Ichiro's sensational MLB career -- six straight 200-plus hit seasons, two batting championships, six All-Star Game selections, six Gold Gloves, one Most Valuable Player Award, Rookie of the Year and the single-season hit record -- probably adds to the Matsuzaka mystique.

I hope they tell us the winning team soon as now the highest bid will then be presented to the Seibu Lions, who will have four days to accept or reject it. If the bid is accepted, the winning team will have 30 days to come to terms with Matsuzaka, who has hired agent Scott Boras.

According to ESPN insiers claim the Re Sox have the winning bid with an amount beteen 38 and 45 Million

Local radio guy was thinking they'd sign the guy for about 30 million for 2 years around 10 upfront and then the pitcher goes free agent in his 3rd. However it plays out, the guy is raking it in.

[font=century gothic]Why spend that much money just to talk with him?[/font]

not sure if the early reports of neg were incorrect, think that $ is only payable if a contract is signed.

Sheffield goes to the Tigers

World Series here we come!!!

I remember when the White Sox picked up Jim Thome.

I remember it like it was just earlier this year...

Anyway, good pick up.

Just hope your arms don't crap out on you next season.

[font=century gothic]I remember when the White Sox didn't make the playoffs this year......

I remember it like it was a couple of months ago.

Where is Sheffield going to play? Do you move Ordonez, or Thames? Is he their DH?

And please tell me why the Tigers would give up three pitching prospects for a 38 year old right fielder? Are they that confident that he will hit 30/90 next year, following wrist surgery, to give up three prospects to the Yankees of all people?

The Tigers were absolutely fine where they were, and now they add a 38 year old right fielder who is coming off a wrist injury, in which they gave up three pitching prospects for.[/font]

the sheffield deal could be good, but it's REALLY risky. if he's healthy, yes he will produce, but he's been injury prone and ain't getting any younger.

The Yankees picked up two of the Tigers' top ten prospects, and a guy the Tigers labeled as untouchable a few months ago. All that for a 38 year old who does not want to be a full time DH, did not want to play 1B, and had a bad wrist injury last year. Good trade Mr. Cashman.

yes, that was a very nice trade by the Yankees or stupid by the Tigers as those 3 prospects look good. I remember hearing some horror stories of teams doing this, one example, the Red Sox traded Jeff Bagwell, in the minors for a pictcher who stayed with them for 2 months and didn't even help them win. maybe you make this trade late in the year to help you win but right now you don't know what your team is going to need or where it will be sitting later.

That was my implication... God, you almost made me use the rolleyes emote for the first time ever.

[font=century gothic]Sorry, didn't realize that was your implication.[/font]