Will it get done?

[jacksonianmarch]

I started this on another site, but the bastards deleted it even though there were 21 responses. Will the sox get this done? Yes or No.

 

I think No. I think Boras has a plan and has no interest in signing.

[example1]

Yes. If you want more of an explanation look at one of the other threads.

[jacksonianmarch]

I just want to see the general consensus. The other site was 12-9 when they trashed the post.

[Beckett95]

I honestly dont think so, and not because the Sox, but because Boras wants to prove his point and help take down the posting system

[paranoia]

I have always said yes it would get done because both parties have so much at stake, but after hearing the latest news I voted no because it looks like Boras is going to screw this deal from happening.

[CrespoBlows]

It will. Boras knows he has no leverage, unless Matsuzaka is willing to wait two more years to be granted free agency, which he isn't. Boras is trying to squeeze every penny out of the Red Sox.

 

This deal will get done just before the plane takes off for Boston. 5 years 12-13 million per.

[Beckett95]

20% chance a deal gets done

[jacksonianmarch]

nice. Just a civil poll whose outcome will be confirmed in 2 days. Good work people.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

There is ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NO REASON for Boras to have Daisuke sign a contract before the absolute final second. He's trying to make it look like they have no intention of signing what's currently on the table to see if, right before the deadline, the Sox put one more proposal together...obviously bettering what's out there. I think if the Sox hold strong, he'll get signed for what's on the table now...if not, they'll take the the most current offer.

 

I just think that both parties have too much to lose if Matsuzaka doesn't sign.

[mosox]

I think it's gets done, with DMat having no idea how close he came to going back, with Boras' reputation damaged in Japan, and with alot of teams thinking twice about bidding on a Japanese star in the future.

[elsrbueno]

If the rumors are true that Boras countered with 6 years and $66 million, the Red Sox would be morons not to take it.

 

I've held the opinion all along that it's in the best interest of all parties to make this deal happen, so I'm still optimistic that it'll get done.

[schillingouttheks]

If the rumors are true that Boras countered with 6 years and $66 million, the Red Sox would be morons not to take it.

 

I've held the opinion all along that it's in the best interest of all parties to make this deal happen, so I'm still optimistic that it'll get done.

 

It is true. This is much less than I've expected. It's 11mill/year and I'm getting aggravated that this isn't done. We've been speculating, at least on this board, that he'll get at LEAST $13mill/yr. Boras countered with 11mill/yr for 6 years?? JUMP ON THAT s*** RIGHT NOW. I have every reason to be pissed off at Theo and Co. if they're 3 mill/yr apart with Boras and we're only offering 8mill/yr. Stupid, stupid, STUPID.

 

BOSTON -- Trying to close financial gaps across a negotiating table has been far more tedious for Red Sox officials than the cross-country flight they took in hopes of signing Daisuke Matsuzaka.

 

With a deadline of midnight ET on Thursday for reaching an agreement with the Japanese pitching star, there were no indications that progress was made with agent Scott Boras during talks Tuesday at his office in Newport Beach, Calif., some 45 miles south of Los Angeles.

 

The sides apparently are $3 million-per-year apart. Sources have told the Boston Herald that the Red Sox's latest offer to the pitcher is six years for $8 million a year. Matsuzaka's camp, according to the Herald, has counter-offered with an $11 million request for six years.

 

As Boston general manager Theo Epstein left Boras' office late Tuesday night, he said it's "up to Matsuzaka" whether there would be further talks.

 

Soon after, Boras also left and told reporters, "I'll have something for you maybe later in the day."

 

Epstein and Red Sox president Larry Lucchino showed up unannounced in California on Monday for face-to-face talks with Boras. They had flown from Boston on principal owner John Henry's airplane and hoped Matsuzaka would be with them for the return trip to Boston on Wednesday.

 

Epstein set his own deadline of Wednesday morning to allow time for Matsuzaka to have a physical in Boston before a contract is finalized. But Boras didn't want Matsuzaka to board the plane before an agreement was reached.

 

The agent represents some of baseball's highest-paid players, including Alex Rodriguez. He also negotiated a deal with the Red Sox this month that could bring outfielder J.D. Drew $70 million over the next five seasons. And he represented Johnny Damon when the outfielder agreed to a $52 million, four-year deal to leave Boston for the New York Yankees after the 2005 season.

 

Boras is known for long negotiations and there is still more than a day before the deadline. But the Red Sox, having bid $51.11 million for exclusive negotiating rights to Matsuzaka, feel that amount should be taken into consideration in any contract. Boras sees the two deals as separate and feels Matsuzaka, 26, should be paid at the level of some of baseball's best compensated pitchers.

 

During Tuesday's talks, the Red Sox group included Epstein, Lucchino and chairman Tom Werner. Henry was home in Boca Raton, Fla., where he was kept apprised of the discussions.

 

The club officials left the building where Boras' offices are located shortly before 7 p.m. ET, returned about four hours later and stayed for 40 minutes before leaving again.

 

"We're going back to Boston" on Wednesday, Werner said.

 

Until flying to California, negotiations were conducted by telephone and other means without the parties being together.

 

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

 

"Free agent pitchers who are 26 and have Matsuzaka-like ability receive salaries in excess of $100 million over five or six years in free agency," Boras said at a news conference Monday night.

 

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

 

Epstein agreed Matsuzaka is worth $100 million, but his calculations include the posting fee.

 

"That magnitude is certainly the right ballpark for the commitment of the ballclub," Epstein said

 

The $51.11 million bid by the Red Sox goes to the Seibu Lions, Matsuzaka's team in Japan, if a deal is struck, If not, Boston doesn't have to pay the money and Matsuzaka would remain the property of the Lions and could not go through the posting system again until next November.

 

Under Japanese baseball rules, he couldn't become a free agent until after the 2008 season.

 

Late Monday, Henry sounded miffed about Boras' approach.

 

"We're on Scott Boras' doorstep because he hasn't negotiated with us thus far and we're taking the fight directly to him, the fight to have a negotiation here," he said during a conference call.

[rician blast]

IF the counter offer is truly at $11m per, for 6 yrs, then this deal will get done. The $3m gap can be closed, although I assume the Sox will have to go higher than the midpoint.

 

I'd be surprised to hear that Boras and his client put out a 6 yr. proposal, though, so I'm not totally sold that the 6/$66 rumor is fact.

[Bud]

I'll be very surprised if Matsuzaka isn't signed

[Bud]

Man Seibu is really f***ed if this deal doesn't get done, since they've spent all of the $51 million on stadium & field improvements

[TedWilliams101]

If the gap really is only $3 million and I were Theo, I would hold on the $8 million per season offer until they were ready to leave CA, then accept the $11 million if Boras didn't flinch. $3 million more to have Matsuzaka is worth it. Anyways, in this market, that isn't unreasonable.

[NYH]

I believe a compromise can be reached. The Red Sox want a deal and so does Matsuzaka. It's been a major distraction at work the last two days, constantly checking for updates

[Texas_Red_Sox_Fan]

it will get done at 10 mil a year.....

[schillingouttheks]

If the gap really is only $3 million and I were Theo' date=' I would hold on the $8 million per season offer until they were ready to leave CA, then accept the $11 million if Boras didn't flinch. $3 million more to have Matsuzaka is worth it. Anyways, in this market, that isn't unreasonable.[/quote']

 

Excuse me? Did you just suggest that the Sox hold THEIR offer until BORAS flinches? I think you got it backwards. At least, I hope you did...