ESPN: BoSox bid $42M on Matsuzaka rights
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According to ESPN, the Boston Red Sox have posted the high bid for the right to negotiate with star Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (Career 108-60, 2.95ERA). Neither MLB officials nor Red Sox officials have yet commented publicly on the matter.
The Seibu Lions have until Tuesday to accept or reject the highest bid offered; the Japanese team knows only the amount, not the identity, of the bidder. Should they accept a bid, that team will have 30 days of exclusive negotiation rights with Matsuzaka and his agent, Scott Boras, to work out a contract. If the MLB team and Boras work out a contract with Matsuzaka, the Lions will receive the bidding fee, thought to be US$42 million. If the parties do not come to an agreement, the bidding fee is not paid by the MLB team and Matsuzaka will not be able to sign with an MLB organization this year.
Matsuzaka is widely regarded as the best available free agent pitcher this offseason. Were the Red Sox to sign him, it would indicate their seriousness in rebuilding the team for postseason competition next year and their willingness to go head-to-head with the New York Yankees financially. It would also block the Yankees from acquiring him, whether the Red Sox are able to work out a contract or not.
The bidding fee will not be counted against the MLB team for purposes of the luxury tax.
Sources
- http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2656687
- http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2660428
