Negotiations between the Red Sox and Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka have essentially broken down, a source familiar with the talks said late last night, adding that unless there is an abrupt change of course, Matsuzaka will not be signing with the Red Sox before Thursday's midnight deadline. ...(Well, those are the only two options, aren't they?)
Long accustomed to negotiating with "multiple teams" in order to garnish rich contracts for his extensive client list, Boras has chafed from the beginning about the inequities of this system and has hinted repeatedly that the process will end either in Matsuzaka signing with the Red Sox or with Matsuzaka declining and having to go back to Japan.
From the standpoint of both the Red Sox and Masuzaka (on whose behalf Boras is working), there is absoutely no reason to think a deal will not get done.
Boras's only leverage is time. He wants the Red Sox to think he can convince Matsuzaka to go back to Japan. I don't see that happening. It would mean DM defers his dream of pitching in the big leagues for two years (thus risking an injury and no mega-payday down the line). The decision would anger Seibu, the team to which he would return (they lose out on $51.1 million), and would not look good to their fans (to whom DM gave a farewell speech).
At some point on Wednesday evening, Masuska will tell Boras: "Alright, that's enough, now get this deal done." The Red Sox will likely increase their offer to $10/year or so (shouldn't DM get Gil Meche money?) and everyone will be smiling during the press conference on Thursday.
With Hideki Okajima in the Sox bullpen and Matsuzaka likely to join the rotation, Curt Schilling is learning some Japanese.
14 comments:
I'm not surprised by this, but appalled nevertheless: None of the Boston media appears to have invested any resources in cultivating contacts in Japan for information from over there. Even though everyone knew that with Boras, the deal will probably go the full 30 days.
1. Does Dice-K have a bilingual advisor giving him feedback about the debate over here? I'd hate to have Dice-K arrive in LA and only hear the Red Sox offer as spun by Scott Boras.
2. What's the mood at corporate Seibu? Are they convinced that MLB owners are indeed insane and that maybe they can sit out this year, repost next year, and still get mega-bucks/yen? I'm not sure a second posting of this nature is allowed, but I'd like to see it nailed down.
A few facts from the Japanese side rather than mindless ethnic stereotypes about honour and face would be nice.
Otherwise, not worried (is there an emoticon for whistling past the graveyard)?
If my son was in the mlb draft and predicted first rounder I would want no else but Boras....He secures futures....He may be ruthless but no one does the job better.......
My prediction 4 years 52 million....
Why do you say your son and not yourself?
I'd personally keep my children away from Boras. Far away.
I'd let Boras represent me or anyone in my family ... why wouldn't you? He consistently gets the best deals for his clients.
I say the Sox offer Matsuzaka the Gil Meche deal, plus incentives based on starts and wins and awards and post-season performance (even team based if that's what it takes). Offer 5 years/ 55 mil, with another $10-15 mil in possible incentives.
If Boras is willing to walk away from that, let him. Then take the $51 mil posting fee and the $11 mil you were offering and see what that buys, either this off-season or next off-season.
Boras, sure! Who better? The reason everyone dislikes him is because he's so good at his job.
Jere, you should defend Boras and all cut-throat agents. You don't want to have anything else in common with Michael Kay, do you?? ;-)
"I'd let Boras represent me or anyone in my family ... why wouldn't you?"
Because I'd like to teach my kids honesty, and that "gettin' money" doesn't equal happiness.
Good point.
But I'm sure you wouldn't want to teach them that if they work for billionaires - whose fortunes depend on their talents - that they should let themselves be exploited.
I'm hoping they live in a world without billionaires. Maybe I just shouldn't have kids...
Jack, Boras is scum? That's a little harsh.Dice hasn't played out yet so let's not crucify him for that one yet..Greed ??? It's not about the money with anymore I think hea has enough .it's about reputation and credibility...which I guess you can interpret as ego..
Jere, my son and not me? I think I might have missed my prime.....
And I think his clients do have say .I think he wanted Tek to get more than he did.....but Tek might have stepped in........
I'm hoping they live in a world without billionaires.
After the revolution. Until then...
Maybe I just shouldn't have kids...
That's been my approach.
Kids Rule.....But then again mine are still young....
as some have speculated
No one should be dis-anything'd based on speculation. People always speculate on those who do what they do better than anyone else. They have to be cheating, right?
If Boras hasn't told Matsuzaka about the Sox offer(s), then that's a scummy thing to do, but look at his track record - he gets huge deals for his players. That's his job. To get the best financial offers he can on the table for his players to make up their mind - it's up to the player to decide which offer they want to take, but if Boras didn't explore every option he wouldn't be doing his job.
Now, if he's not accurately representing Boston's offers to his client, if he is, indeed, using Matsuzaka to bust apart the posting system, then he's not serving the best interests of his client.
Now, if he's not accurately representing Boston's offers to his client, if he is, indeed, using Matsuzaka to bust apart the posting system, then he's not serving the best interests of his client.
Yes, it would be - but we have no idea if he's diong that. It's just gossip and innuendo.
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