Boras to speak tonight on Matsuzaka issue

[Cityofchampions33]

I do believe that the Drew signing will come back to haunt the sox' date=' though, and many people share my belief. There are some GMs who were quoted (anonymously obviously) as saying that may be the single worst free agent signing ever.[/quote']

 

Bite me, worse than Albert Belle? Unless you have a link Id be careful about stepping in that ********.

[ORS]

no, not really. I do believe the sox are still lowballing right now. How much is anyone's guess.

 

I do believe that the Drew signing will come back to haunt the sox, though, and many people share my belief. There are some GMs who were quoted (anonymously obviously) as saying that may be the single worst free agent signing ever.

Of course you believe they are. It won't take much convincing for you believe any columnist who portrays them badly. It makes you feel better to think they are bumbling, greedy bastards in comparison to the noble, wise Yankees.

 

EDIT: And the fact that you mention those GMs brings me back to my original point, you take everything in print literally. FYI unless you have a direct quote, you know nothing about the context of those comments. It could be very thoughtful analysis. It could also be something uttered in the hotel bar after 1:00 am at the Winter Meetings. The reporter isn't interested in making it believable. They just want the snippet in print. But, unless they tell, you never know how they got it.

[example1]

No' date=' c'mon man. The big guys are getting GUARANTEED MONEY. Incentives are potential money. The big guys get the money regardless. He wants GUARANTEED MONEY. Why do you think Ricky Williams first contract was considered the dumbest contract in football? Because it was all incentives that injury precluded him from reaching.[/quote']

 

 

Schilling got incentives. He's a big guy. 'nuff said.

[jacksonianmarch]

Schilling got incentives. He's a big guy. 'nuff said.

 

schilling doesnt have Boras as an agent and a ton of the money was guaranteed, and at the time he was being paid top dollar in guaranteed money.

[jacksonianmarch]

Of course you believe they are. It won't take much convincing for you believe any columnist who portrays them badly. It makes you feel better to think they are bumbling, greedy bastards in comparison to the noble, wise Yankees.

 

EDIT: And the fact that you mention those GMs brings me back to my original point, you take everything in print literally. FYI unless you have a direct quote, you know nothing about the context of those comments. It could be very thoughtful analysis. It could also be something uttered in the hotel bar after 1:00 am at the Winter Meetings. The reporter isn't interested in making it believable. They just want the snippet in print. But, unless they tell, you never know how they got it.

 

It was something I read in passing, but it was definitely in the "unnamed source" category.

[example1]

Yes, and there is no reason to pretend that THIS season's FA market is going to dictate what every other player gets from here on out.

 

If that was the case then every good hitter after A-Rod and Manny would have made at least 16m a year. Instead, those guys ended up representing the top 1% of baseball, with 13m a year becoming the norm for yearly all-stars.

 

Vlad signed after Manny did. He had great numbers before hand, and he made 13.5 m this past season. In two years there is NO reason to believe that a pitcher will make 20m. That is nothing but baseless posturing. There is no intrinsic value for pitchers, but there is reasonable value.

[TheKilo]

AP

 

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) – Scott Boras, the agent for Daisuke Matsuzaka, said lengthy meetings with Boston Red Sox executives were planned as the parties try to work out a deal with the Japanese pitcher before a Thursday night deadline.

 

Speaking at his office building some 45 miles south of Los Angeles, Boras wouldn’t comment directly on the negotiations, but did say Matsuzaka “is worth well in excess of $100 million.” The 26-year-old right-hander didn’t join his agent for the news conference.

 

“In Japan, he’s known as the national treasure,” Boras told some three dozen media representatives – nearly all representing Japanese outlets. “Here, he will be known as Fort Knox.”

 

Boras said Red Sox principal owner John Henry, team president Larry Lucchino, and general manager Theo Epstein have traveled to Southern California to take part in the negotiations.

 

A major sticking point is the record $51.11 million bid the Red Sox submitted to the Seibu Lions for Matsuzaka’s services. The Red Sox submitted the bid last month, and was given 30 days to sign him.

 

The deadline is Thursday at midnight (EST), and if no agreement is reached, Matsuzaka returns to the Lions for another season before he can be posted again. If a deal isn’t struck, the Red Sox keep their money.

 

“The posting fee represents the problem,” Boras said. “It’s historic, it’s new, it’s something that’s never been done. How do you reflect value in a posting fee in an appropriate contract for a player?

 

“In the American system, no player is asked to reduce their salaries for luxury tax purposes.”

 

Should the parties agree on a contract worth $100 million, for example, the Red Sox would actually be paying $151.11 million because they must pay the entire posting fee to the Lions.

 

“One thing is clear – Daisuke Matsuzaka will someday be a major league player,” Boras said. “We have further negotiating to do. The deadline’s not here in five minutes. The parties do understand what this player’s value is in the free-agent system.”

 

Boras said he planned to meet with the Red Sox executives later Monday night and all day Tuesday.

 

“The progress is something I’m not going to comment on,” he said. “I’m not going to characterize the negotiations. This is not a customary negotiation. The question is, with a posting fee, how do you handle that?”

 

Boras said the decision whether Matsuzaka will join the Red Sox or return to Japan will be made by his client, who earned MVP honors after pitching Japan to the championship of the inaugural World Baseball Classic last March.

 

Matsuzaka has a 108-60 career record in Japan with a 2.95 ERA and 1,355 strikeouts in 204 games.

 

“This decision is going to be Daisuke’s, he has to make the call,” Boras said.

 

Boras said Matsuzaka, who flew into Southern California on Saturday, has been throwing and working out for three to four hours a day.

 

When asked why he called a news conference, Boras smiled and replied: “I think this is the American way.”

 

That's why it gets done.

[Cityofchampions33]

It was something I read in passing' date=' but it was definitely in the "unnamed source" category.[/quote']

 

Oh, why didnt you say so!?! Well, you've got me convinced. For all we know it might not have even have been a GM.

[jacksonianmarch]

Not correct my friend. Pitching has become an absolute premium. Also, look at those contracts. The Yankees with Giambi, the sox with Manny, the Rangers with ARod. There hasnt been a dire need on offense for either of these 3 free spending teams until this yr with Drew. The Yankees will have an opening next yr when the CFers will be available. Expect the next 20 mil player next season. Also, there has not been a sure fire ace to hit the market in a long time. Most get locked up prior to the FA yrs. Zambrano may set a record next yr.

[example1]

AP

 

 

 

That's why it gets done.

 

Money TheKilo. Money. The deal will be done and I will sleep well tonight.

[jacksonianmarch]

AP

 

 

 

That's why it gets done.

 

Not sure. He's got the devil in his ear and it sounds like he is listening.

[TheKilo]

Not sure. He's got the devil in his ear and it sounds like he is listening.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove06/columns/story?id=2693833

 

Even if it sometimes has taken longer than expected, Daisuke Matsuzaka has always delivered, and Japan's fans are counting on him to do so again.

 

As the deadline approaches for the right-handed wunderkind to put pen to paper and officially make the big league leap, few doubt that somehow Matsuzaka once more will get it done for Japan.

 

The Lions have slated 1.6 billion yen ($13.77 million) for additional players' salaries, 700 million yen ($6.02 million) each for upgrading restrooms and the clubhouse and 300 million yen ($2.56 million) each toward replacing their dome's artificial surface and installing field seats.

 

If the sheer embarrassment of the nation's hero being thrown back like an undersized trout is not enough to spark a showdown between Red Sox Nation and Japan, the fact that Japan's loss of tax revenue would be 2.4 billion yen ($20.65 million), just might do it.

 

Although Boras might think nothing of causing an international incident of these proportions, Matsuzaka is unlikely to be a party to it.

 

Expect him to sign and to be in Boston come April.

[example1]

Not correct my friend. Pitching has become an absolute premium. Also' date=' look at those contracts. The Yankees with Giambi, the sox with Manny, the Rangers with ARod. There hasnt been a dire need on offense for either of these 3 free spending teams until this yr with Drew. The Yankees will have an opening next yr when the CFers will be available. Expect the next 20 mil player next season. Also, there has not been a sure fire ace to hit the market in a long time. Most get locked up prior to the FA yrs. Zambrano may set a record next yr.[/quote']

 

It's funny, because Brandon Webb signed a contract in 2006, 4 yr/19.5m. Market value? Nope. Good pitcher? Yes.

 

It is not a rule that every pitcher who is top notch will make 18m a season. Especially since most pitchers Daisuke's age are making 1.5m. By his next FA I'd be willing to bet that Matsuzaka will have earned more than Papelbon, Verlander, Liriano, etc.,

 

2005, Johan santana signs a 4 year deal for 40m. Don't tell me that pitching has become more of a premium since Santana's last contract. That was a season and a half ago. Webb even more recently.

 

It only HAS to be that way if you live in Scott Boras' world. Otherwise there is flexibility and lateral movement possible.

[jacksonianmarch]

every ace pitcher that hits the market will be making 15+. Not many make it to market.

[TheKilo]

And all that talk about Boras buying out Daisuke?

 

Nope.

 

As both sides have tried to find ways to make the deal more favorable to them, there has been speculation that Boras could let the deadline pass so the Red Sox no longer hold negotiating rights. He could then attempt to buy out Matsuzaka’s contract with Seibu.

 

If the Lions knew they were not getting $51.1 million from the Red Sox, they might be willing to take half that from Boras. Boras would then market Matsuzaka as a free agent to every team, and the pitcher would stand to make much more than he would get from the Red Sox now. But Melendez said that was not an option.

 

“The Commissioner’s office would not recognize that free agency, and the Japanese commissioner’s office is in agreement with us,” Melendez said.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/12/sports/b...ml?ref=baseball

[example1]

every ace pitcher that hits the market will be making 15+. Not many make it to market.

 

And neither will Daisuke, for 2 years unless he signs for a "lowball" 10m a season + incentives. Cry me a river man. 10m a season is a LOT of money. More than the Sox starting SS. As much as Jason Varitek, who plays every day.

[example1]

And all that talk about Boras buying out Daisuke?

 

Nope.

 

 

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/12/sports/b...ml?ref=baseball

 

Thanks, Dex. You're the man with the info tonight Kilo

[a700hitter]

Jeebus' date=' it's like panicville in here. Good thing no one here is calling the shots, doubly so for you Jacko since you are leading the lemmings to the cliff, because you would have all flinched 2 days before the deadline. Nobody has flinched yet. Nothing new to report. Posturing from both sides. Now go watch the excellent football game on tonight.[/quote']Jacko is getting his rockos off by getting everyone all whipped up over this. They are signing him. This is not a J.D. Drew or Varitek out of college. This is a 26 year old pitcher that has thrown a good deal of pitches. It's a two year wait for him to be a FA. He's not wanted back in Japan. He doesn't want to go back to Japan. Good luck to him walking back into the Seibu locker room after screwing them out of $51.5 million. Boras is not going to fight in Japanese courts for his early release and he is not going to buy him out with his own money. These rumors are just preposterous. Boras is going to put the squeeze on the Sox and Seibu. The story that negotiations had broken down was just that-- a story. Who knows who planted it. It could've been Boras to squeeze the Red Sox and Seibu. It could have been the Red Sox to squeeze Boras and Seibu. It probably wasn't planted by Seibu, because they have everything to lose and nothing to gain if the deal falls thru. Calm down everyone. Stop giving Jacko and Gom their ya-yas. You are letting yourselves being jerked around by the press and the Yankee fans. We'll know on Thursday. If we don't get him, maybe they make a play for another 26 year old -- Zito who has 5 or 6 ML years under his belt in the AL with a 3.5 ERA, and maybe they pick up Clemens in July too.

[example1]

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/redSox/?p=784

 

Apparently the Sox are having their own press conference tonight.

[a700hitter]

Finally, Boras is a complete whore. Whore's take their money upfront. He's not waiting two years and maybe he gets dumped of Matsuzaka gets injured. He'll make money on him now and if he stays healthy until 2012, he'll make money on him again.

[example1]

Boras IS a whore. He's like Heidi Fleiss, the queen of whores.

 

...yes, the queen of whores.

 

I'll be happy when this deal gets completed.

[TheKilo]

Sox PC soon.

[mosox]

Boras has no leverage and time is running out for him. If this doesn't happen he'll be blamed on boths sides of the Pacific. I heard he said tonight that it is Matsuzaka's decision, so he's already trying to distance himself from any deal to save face.

[ARod2212]

Boras is just agent-ing. He's drawing a hard line in the sand and putting the pressure on Theo and the Sox. That's what (good) agents do, and that's why A-Rod can make $252 million. If Boston panics, he's going to get paid a truck load of money. If they don't, he'll get paid an SUV full of money. Either way, he's getting a good chunk of change because Boras is doing exactly what he needs to do to get top dollar. The Boston press conference will tell if they're going to blink or not.

 

There's no way he ends up back in Japan. Although I think that would be hilarious, and I'd love to see the fallout from an anarchist's standpoint.

[mosox]

"In Japan he's known as the national treasure," Boras said. "Here he will be known as Fort Knox."

 

With statements like this, Boras is just being a jerk.

[example1]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6262992

 

Rosenthal things this thing is going to happen, although I disagree with his logic, particularly the "posting part".

 

I think the Red Sox would win the posting the second time too, they will make sure of that. I know its absurd, but I think they would put up 100m this time with only minimal interest in signing him. Cheap? Yes. Unfair to the poor Yankees and Mets? Maybe. Do they care? Nope. They will tell Boras to shove it by ruining the whole process.

 

Like Rosenthal said, it has to happen.

[arbitrary]

When (is) there going to be a sox conference?

[CalvnHobs6]

The conference call is complete: Sox to make 'record' offer

Red Sox GM Theo Epstein in a post-midnight conference call described the dramatic turn that took place last night in the negotiations for Daisuke Matsuzaka, saying that with John W. Henry providing the plane, he and CEO Larry Lucchino flew to southern California, unsolicited, for a meeting with agent Scott Boras in the Daisuke Matsuzaka negotiations.

Epstein said the team plans to make another offer tomorrow, one that will be the largest ever given to a player who has never played in the big leagues, and the largest given to a Japanese player. But it remains to be seen if that will satisfy Boras, who has made the case that Matsuzaka is one of the game's elite pitchers and should be paid as such, with no weight given to the size of the bid the Sox paid for exclusivity to negotiate with him. That $51.1 million, Boras has stated, is just another indication of how valuable a talent Matsuzaka said.

A feisty John W. Henry, frustration evident in his voice, said: ""I think it's also fair to say we're on Scott Boras's doorstep because he hasn't negotiated with us so far. We're taking the fight directly to him to try to have a negotiation here."

[example1]

The conference call is complete: Sox to make 'record' offer

Red Sox GM Theo Epstein in a post-midnight conference call described the dramatic turn that took place last night in the negotiations for Daisuke Matsuzaka, saying that with John W. Henry providing the plane, he and CEO Larry Lucchino flew to southern California, unsolicited, for a meeting with agent Scott Boras in the Daisuke Matsuzaka negotiations.

Epstein said the team plans to make another offer tomorrow, one that will be the largest ever given to a player who has never played in the big leagues, and the largest given to a Japanese player. But it remains to be seen if that will satisfy Boras, who has made the case that Matsuzaka is one of the game's elite pitchers and should be paid as such, with no weight given to the size of the bid the Sox paid for exclusivity to negotiate with him. That $51.1 million, Boras has stated, is just another indication of how valuable a talent Matsuzaka said.

A feisty John W. Henry, frustration evident in his voice, said: ""I think it's also fair to say we're on Scott Boras's doorstep because he hasn't negotiated with us so far. We're taking the fight directly to him to try to have a negotiation here."

 

 

Largest ever to someone not to play in MLB: Contreras, 4/32?

 

Largest ever to a japanese player: 4/52 (Matsui's current contract).

[Bud]

I guess we're finally gonna get it done

 

Can't wait to see Daisuke pitch!