So the Red Sox absolutely want to sign Japanese pitching sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka (松坂 大輔), which should be evident from the $51.1 million posting fee they bid for the rights to negotiate with him.
The 26-year-old wants to sign, fulfilling his dream of pitching in the Majors.The Seibu Lions, intended recipients of that posting fee, have 51.1 million reasons to hope that Matsuzaka signs, instead of returning to them next season. If he doesn’t sign, they won’t see that money.The MLB wants him to sign, if just for the positive publicity.Apparently, the only party in all this mess who doesn’t want him to sign is the player’s agent.I’m imagining a book with the title “Gyroball”, like “Moneyball”, but this one about the vagaries of the international posting system.I can see a movie being made, along the lines of Jerry Maguire, but without the redemption or love interest.Who is his agent? Dodger fans know his name all too well.Now, I’m not going to say that Scott Boras is evil, precisely. He is what he is — he and his 80+ employees — and he does his job well. That job often seems to be at odds with minor concepts like ethics, honor, and gentlemanly behavior, but never mind all that.Jim Allen writing over at ESPN.com posits that the “Hopes of a nation are riding on ace” to successfully transition to the MLB, which might very well be true — not being Japanese, I’ll have to take his word for it. I’m certain Jim is right about one thing — Daisuke is going to have to stand up to Boras to make his dreams come true now, rather than gaming the system for a year or more, hoping for even more millions.Thinking about that brings to mind another dominant pitcher engaged in a similar process at the moment, trying to grab even more millions. This one is a little closer to home and a lot more bittersweet.Same agent, though.
Dec
11
2006
11
2006
Gyroball: Will he sign in time?
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