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Because JD Drew gets on base over 40% of the time and has the potential to knock in over 100 runs. Also, the FO very well could have plans to move Manny, in which case we need to replace his crappy fielding with... well, .... crappy fielding.

Not me.

Bah. He's not going to improve Toronto that much, as far as I can tell.

It wouldn't surprise me. I'm just not completely sold. I assume and hope that the Sox were involved. I was hoping to bring both Japanese players here. Any chance tonight's announcement could concern both players?

Time to go after Iwamura hard (hopefully they already have). I wasn't putting all of my eggs in the Aramis basket anyway.

I doubt it will be another day. Depending on where you are it could be another night, but it is currently 2:53 pm in Japan. Apparently the Seibu Lions had a meeting about the subject at 2:00. That doesn't mean they'll announce right away, but it could (for those of us anxiously checking the internet for news).

The comparison I was making obviously had nothing to do with the financials. it had to do with the commonality of competition against the Yankees. The sox were embarassed by the contreras situation, they've indicated that they're involved with the matsuzaka thing so I imagine they're trying to avoid embarassment at the hands of the spanks again. The need a SP badly and they could get the first good option to start off the offseason.

This certainly is suspenseful. I guess I think the Sox have a very good shot. NOT because I think there is some metaphysical reason the sox and matsuzaka are destined for each other, or because I think the Sox are a good fit for him. 1. I think they have a good shot because I imagine the FO knew roughly what the bid would be (within a few million dollars), beyond just assuming it would be something like 28 million. I think each and every team assessed what his value would be and developed their bid from there. So I'm one to assume that the sox made a very serious offer while knowing roughly what the other teams would offer, based on logic, reason and the nuances of the current market, including the Yankees. 2. Given their loss in the Contreras sweepstakes I see the sox going above what their estemated value is.

I think its a big deal. This would be one of the three best pitching options out there, leaving the Sox with only Zito or Schmidt to shoot for. Since Zito probably doesn't want to play in Boston, that leaves Schmidt as the biggest available name. He's older and has had more recent injuries. Enormous deal? No. Big deal, definitely.

One thing also seems for sure, nobody knows a damn thing. You're so called rumors are really nothing more than people like you and I speculating but with that unfortunate little tendency toward saying "my friend says he has a reliable source who said that..." it's all about he said she said. When they have decided there would be no reason to keep it secret anymore.

I heard that expensivefreeagentsandpostings.com listed that the Red Sox won the bid, with a 12 million dollar deal. I'm pretty sure this guy's legit, cause he heard it on the radiovision. This waiting game is difficult. I doubt the sox won the bidding, but it'd be nice cause I want them to pick up a pitcher and matsuzaka is the most interesting option (not necessarily best).

f*** them. I'm waiting until its announced for sure before I start insulting the yankees again.

From what I've read he's got decent speed (enough to play CF) but isn't really a stolen base threat.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the diversity and the veriance of opinion. It's just funny when I hear complaints about red sox fans going off on yankee fans.

I love it when Yankee fans get pissed on this site because they feel attacked about their love for the Yankees. You're on a Red Sox board. Why not go onto a Detroit Tigers board or a Phillies board? It's not like talkSOX.com is the only baseball-related board on this here internet. I think you yankee fans are somewhat masochistic.

I looked elsewhere for a thread on this topic, so if I'm repeating I apologize. Akinori Iwamura was posted on Monday: He has the following things going for him: --44, 30, 32 HR his last three seasons --.383, .388, .389 OBP his last three seasons --OPS above .900 the last three seasons If those numbers were in MLB then this guy would look very similar to Aramis Ramirez, except perhaps for the RBI totals. He has also won 3 gold gloves at 3rd, can play 2B and CF. His posting cost has been estimated at about 1 million. If I'm the sox I'm posting 3 million and just getting this guy. What more could you possibly want? Offer him 4 million a year and use him as a super UTIL guy, unless he beats out Lowell or Youk, or if we are able to move Lowell or Youk. I would send BOTH to a team, along with a good chunk of Lowell's salary to get a solid #5 hitter. Any thoughts?

a) because youk can play 1st. because there are no (few) good 1st basemen available to replace him. c) the Sox problem, like every major company's problem, is ALWAYS money. 9 million on Lowell is 9 million they don't spend elsewhere. Like it or not they are cost conscious d) the two players are very similar except one is younger, more versitile and WAY cheaper. e) there ARE available 3rd basemen who will easily be a better value than Lowell's 9 million. Aramis will cost more but produce considerably more, and Iwamura will probably cost less and produce the same or better, INCLUDING the ability to win a GG. Youkilis will still be a valuable trading chip on July 31st or next offseason or the year after. Lowell will not. This is a tired conversation though. It has been had over and over again. Apparently you're sure that the Sox can get a 1st Baseman out there like Duncan or someone like that. If that's the case then fine. But if Jeff Bagwell is your answer then no thanks. You're not happy with Eric Henske are you? If not then what is your solution? Trade Youkilis for 1B help? What we need is RP, SP and power on one of the corner--of which there are two very skilled players on the market. Like you said, money isn't a matter right? So they can sign one of the FA's and be done with it.