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Gonzo Signs With Reds For 3/14

Well.

He was eye-popping in the field, but that's a lot of green for a guy with a career .684 OPS (and a .299 OBP (!) last year).

It sounds like the Red Sox were firm about not offering him anything more than one year. Plus, we got Cora and his three-year OPS of .672 for only 2/4.

We still need a starting shortstop. I doubt Theo can convince Julio Lugo to sign for two years -- Lugo would like four -- but how about 3/27?

The Pro Calls It Quits

Bill Mueller, whose single up the middle knocked Mariano Rivera to the dirt in the bottom of the 9th inning in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS and brought home Dave Roberts with the game-tying run, has retired and accepting a job as a special assistant to Dodgers GM Ned Colletti.

Canadian Blog Awards

I just discovered that this blog has been nominated for a Canadian Blog Award as "Best Sports Blog".

You are all encouraged to click here and vote for JoS (scroll down). Round 1 voting ends next Tuesday. ... You are allowed to vote more than once, but only once a day.

While you are there, cast a vote for we move to canada (my partner Laura's blog) in the following categories: "Best Blog", "Best Progressive Blog, and "Best Personal Blog".

Thanks (and thanks to the mystery person who nominated me).

Report: Red Sox Offering Drew 4/48

Philadelphia Daily News:

The Red Sox aren't through yet. Multiple sources say they are set to sign free-agent outfielder J.D. Drew, the Phillies' old amigo, for a 4-year, $48 million deal.

The Herald adds that more than a dozen other teams are interested in Drew.

With reports of Alfonso Soriano and his career .325 OBP commanding as much as $20 million per year and Frank Thomas signing with Toronto for somewhere around $10, snagging Drew at $12 per year is not only pretty good, it's a steal.

Drew needs to stay healthy, but his numbers are much better than what we've been used to from right field.

OPS+   Nixon  Drew
2000    108    122
2001    129    162
2002    114    110
2003    149    133
2004    123    158
2005    112    148
2006     98    125
Career  117    133

Reading Matsuzaka's comment that he is "most looking forward to facing Ichiro Suzuki", SoSHer Noah writes:

It's waaaaay to early to speculate on which game he'll start, but I'll do it anyway. Let's say Schilling starts the season opener in KC on Monday 4/2, and Matsuzaka starts the second game on Wednesday after the off-day. That would put Matsuzaka on schedule to start the home opener on Tuesday 4/10. It would also give him 5 days rest (an extra day) going into that second start. And Ichiro would be the first guy to the plate in the top of the first. That's too awesome for them not to do it.

Matsuzaka Watch includes info on all of his 2006 starts (some video also). Here are some of his stats from Seibu:

Year  W  L   IP     H   ER  BB   K   ERA WHIP
1999 16  5  180    124  52  87  151 2.60 1.17
2000 14  7  167.2  132  74  95  144 3.97 1.35
2001 15 15  240.1  184  96 117  214 3.60 1.25
2002  6  2   73.1   60  30  15   78 3.68 1.02
2003 16  7  194    165  61  63  215 2.83 1.18
2004 10  6  146    165  47  42  127 2.90 1.42
2005 14 13  215    172  55  49  226 2.30 1.03
2006 17  5  186.1  138  44  34  200 2.13 0.92
    108 60 1402.2 1140 459 502 1355 2.95 1.17

Johan Santana was the unanimous choice for the AL Cy Young. Chien-Ming Wang (15 second-place votes and 6 third-place votes) was second, followed by Roy Halladay (12 and 12).

Matsuzaka Departs For US

This JapanBall article puts the Red Sox bid at exactly $51,111,111.11.

Matsuzaka, at the Narita Airport:

First of all, I was very relieved. I haven't been able to sleep soundly for the past four or five days. I feel like I've just crossed the starting line. It has been difficult waiting. ...

I was shocked at first to hear the amount of the accepted offer. I never thought that the amount would be over $30 million. I'm happy that I've been valued so highly, but I also feel pressure to perform now. ...

I want to perform well in the majors, so I can be booed by our opponents' home field fans.

The batter I really look forward to facing is Ichiro-san.

Shemp who?

We Love Daisuke. ... Will Fenway have the Dice-K Men?

Media Roundup

An AL GM:

If they can sign him, they've got the best pitcher in the market, and he may be the best pitcher in baseball when all is said and done. He's got five outstanding pitches. ... It's a lot of money, but if you have it, why not use it on a kid like this? The Yankees have to be sick about this.

Bobby Valentine:

I think they've done a heck of a job scouting. I've seen [Red Sox assistant GM for international scouting] Craig Shipley and [coordinator for Pacific rim scouting] John Deeble here for the last three years, where they followed his movement, they've charted his pitches, they've watched his best and worst outings and done a heck of a job of understanding the kind of competitor and pitcher this guy is.

Approximate bids from three other teams: Mets ($40), Yankees ($33) and Rangers ($27).

So what will it take to sign Matsuzaka? Reports definitely vary. From an annual salary of $7-$10 to $10-$14, maybe $16. Reports are Boras wants only a three-year deal so Matsuzaka can be a free agent at age 29 after 2009, but the Sox may try to get him for four or even five years.

Yasuko Yanagita, Hochi Shimbun sports newspaper:

The Red Sox-Yankees series will have new meaning to people in Japan because you have one of the best hitters against one of the best pitchers. Boston is a popular team because they won the World Series not so long ago, and if Matsuzaka plays for them and Matsui plays for the Yankees, it will create excitement. ...

People will want to see how Matsuzaka pitches Matsui. The Yankees are probably the most popular team in Japan and many Red Sox-Yankees game are shown on TV. They understand the Yankee-Red Sox rivalry and now they'll have this added to it.

Gordon Edes on the gyroball:

First of all, let's drop all talk of the "gyroball," the wonder pitch Daisuke Matsuzaka is said to throw.

He doesn't. No pro, here or in Japan, has been documented as throwing one.

Robert Whiting, author and expert on Japanese baseball, says it's

somebody's idea of a joke. A couple of Japanese guys did a comic story about Matsuzaka's 'pitch,' and a guy wrote a story about it on Yahoo, and that's how it got started. ... Remember Sidd Finch? Same category. ... Matsuzaka doesn't need the gyro. He throws a slider and forkball and changeup and fastball and curve. He throws them all with great control and great command.

Whiting admitted that almost everyone in Japan assumed the Yankees would top the bidding, but

the Red Sox faked everybody out. ... This is pretty big. There hasn't been a pitcher like Matsuzaka in a generation, since Nomo. And he's better than Nomo was in his prime. His control is better, he's just as fast, and he has more pitches than Nomo. ... He's very composed, as cool as a cucumber.

Daisuke Matsuzaka - YouTube

August 30, 2006 (14 strikeouts):


Pitching in the 2006 WBC against Cuba and Mexico:


April 14, 2006:


He can hit too (HR on June 9, 2006):


More videos here.

Pap 2nd in RoY; Sox Talk To Astros

Jonathan Papelbon finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting

           1  2  3  Pts
Verlander 26  1     133
Papelbon     20  3   63
Liriano    1  3 16   30
Johjima       2  4   10
Weaver        2  2    8
Markakis   1     2    7
Kinsler          1    1

Someone moron left Verlander off his ballot. ... Hanley Ramirez won the NL RoY award.

Gary Tuck was named the Sox's new bullpen coach. He was the Marlins' bench coach last year and was the Yankees' catching instructor in 1998-99.

The Red Sox have asked the Astros about relievers Brad Lidge, Brad Qualls and Dan Wheeler -- and have said Wily Mo Pena is available. ... Boston is also curious about Justin Speier and Danys Baez.

6 Billion Yen

Or $51,110,000.

Peter Gammons's comments, as posted by SoSHer JohntheBaptist:

-would be "shocked" if deal didn't get done
-sox want 5 years, boras wants 3
-"he's the best pitcher on the market, youngest pitcher on market"
-red sox can market, "sell all their games in japan"
-theo did a lot consulting w japanese teams
-thinks 30-40% of the great players in world will be coming out of asia
-sox feel very strongly "he's the best pitcher on market"
-thinks biggest adjustment will be his pitching every 5th day, instead of once a week
-think they may use 6 starters here and there
-DM sometimes throws "200 pitches day before start to warm up"
-In WBC, everyone was notedly impressed by his control of all pitches
-Thinks Sox will get another starter to build up depth
-Thinks Yankees aren't worried about "responding," Cashman too smart
-Hopeful about Pavano coming back, throwing 200 IP
-MFY aren't in love with Zito
-Loves their two trades
-Sees Hughes in rotation in July
-Cashman wants to get younger
-Thinks Sox/Yankees are beyond the "arms race" in offseason

SoSHer ragecage:

Minor point, but I just caught the replay of the Gammons interview. When I first read your point about Theo's consulting, I took it to be in regards to the posting bid (I probably just mis-interpreted), but when I listened again he mentioned the consulting in regards to two Japanese teams Theo consulted with last Fall/Winter, when he was away from the RS. When you look at it from that perspective, you get an idea of how long this has been brewing in the RS FO (if not even much longer as some have suggested). Without having details, when you add this all up, you get the sense that this was a long time coming, and they wanted to leave nothing to chance.

And geoduck no quahog:

What is it about JWH's money compartments that some people don't understand?

If Henry wanted to buy the John Hancock Building with $50M leverage, would some be complaining about the impact on Red Sox financials?

The posting bid is a sunk cost based on a return-on-investment related to Asian marketing and relationship issues. It has nothing to do with Red Sox payroll. It's a cost that was calculated outside of payroll based on smart people's assessments of potential return.

I have yet to hear or read any impact of the posting on the Red Sox' intention to maintain (or increase) payroll. Complain about Matsuzaka's "cost" after the contract is negotiated.

tywebb444:

For those of you who aren't pleased with the amount of money or with Matsuzaka himself, would you have been happier with a 5 year 80 million offer for Zito? Personally I'd rather take the 26 yr old, with 4+ pitches and who lets us put our foot in the Japanese market. Oh yeah and a ton of potential to boot. Of course it's a risky move for the money and the fact that he hasn't pitched in the majors, but none of the options out there are better for us.

drleather2001:

First of all, the Japanese Leagues are at LEAST comparable to AAA, I believe. And this guy has been tearing the shit out of the Japanese League for several years. He's as close to a sure thing as anyone is going to get coming from out there, so saying he hasn't proven anything is a little unfair, don't you think? You can only win the games you're allowed to play in, after all.

I know not every Red Sox fan is head over heels about this deal, but how can you say this is not FUN? This winter will not be dull.

More on Matsuzaka; And JD Drew?

An official announcement by MLB and the Seibu Lions regarding Boston's winning bid is still almost 24 hours away (8 PM Tuesday night).

Peter Gammons reported that the bid was $42 million, but SI's Jon Heyman says it was between $34 and $38, while Orestes Destrade of XM Radio puts it in excess of $50 million. Redsox.com adds: "Several high-ranking baseball sources also said they had heard Boston was the winner at about $50 million."

Numerous reports say the bids from the Mets and Yankees were between $30 and $38 and the Rangers' bid was $27.

I agree with SoSHer DieHardSoxFan1:

Let's make no mistake about it -- this is an unprecendented deal orchestrated by the Red Sox organization. ... How many times does a pitcher of Matsuzaka's caliber and age, hit the open market? This almost never happens. ...

This has been mentioned before, but this move opens up a whole new world for the Red Sox organization. We may not feel these ramafications for another 5-10 years, but the Red Sox logo is now in Japan and all over the Japanese media. The team will exploit this and market the shit out of themselves over there. And in a country where the Yankees reign supreme and rake in millions of dollars while having the inside track to the top Japanese talent, this Red Sox infusion into the Far East cannot be overlooked or downplayed in the least bit.

Also, there are rumours the free agent the Sox have offered a contract to is JD Drew.

Gammons: Red Sox Win Matsuzaka Bidding

Sources tell Peter Gammons that Boston's bid of $42 million for the right to negotiate with Daisuke Matsuzaka "far exceeded any other team's offer".

At 2:59, SoSHer Carmine Hose posted this:

Just walked by Yawkey Way and there is a 3-man Japanese news team there. The on-camera guy is wearing a Red Sox jacket. They said it's not official, but it is the Red Sox who won the claim.

Have Sox Made Top Matsuzaka Bid?

Buster Olney, ESPN:

The Boston Red Sox may have posted the top bid for the right to negotiate with Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, according to Major League Baseball sources.

There has been no official announcement, and the Seibu Lions, Matsuzaka's team in Japan, have until Tuesday to accept or reject the high bid.

But, according to officials monitoring the bidding, the Red Sox bid may be between $38 million and $45 million. ...

If the Lions accept the top bid, the winning bidder has 30 days to reach an agreement with Matsuzaka. If a deal cannot be reached, he would return to the Lions for the 2007 Japanese baseball season.

I would have expected Theo to submit a bid, but I figured it would fall short (signing Matsuzaka would mean dropping a total of between $80-90 million (though the bid presumably would not come out of the team's payroll budget)). Then again, if Boston is serious, they'd have to submit a mega-bid to make sure they ended up on top of the MFY.

SoSHers have been trying to get a handle on what his Japan numbers might translate to in the AL. Also, Olney's short article mentions nothing about a Yankees bid.

Nick Cafardo adds some info from the Globe:

There's growing steam behind a report by ESPN's Buster Olney that the Red Sox might have submitted the top bid for Seibu Lions righthander Daisuke Matsuzaka.

One major league source indicated, "That wouldn't surprise me one bit. I have heard the Red Sox were very competitive. It would be a strike against the Yankees, who have been considered the front-runner, and it show Red Sox fans the team is serious about rebuilding what happened last season." ...

If that should happen, the Sox would have three starters -- Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Beckett and Matsuzaka -- all within that prime 26 years old range and the hope that lefty Jon Lester can eventually rejoin the staff.

Cafardo notes that a Fort Worth Star-Telegram report earlier today stated that the Rangers might have made the top bid.

A Top 10 Prospect List

Top Prospect Alert has put up its list of the Red Sox's Top 10 prospects:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury (23) OF
2. Clay Buchholz (22) P
3. Craig Hansen (23) P
4. Jed Lowrie (22) SS
5. Lars Anderson (17) 1B
6. Michael Bowden (20) P
7. Bryson Cox (22) P
8. Dustin Pedroia (23) 2B
9. George Kottaras (23) C
10. Daniel Bard (21) P

I know most of the names on this list, but don't follow the minors closely enough to offer any informed opinion. I'm not even sure how reliable TPA is. Any comments? (In TPA's Top 100, Ellsbury is #26 and Buchholz is #31.)

...

Also, reader Tim O. tells me you can hear a podcast interview with Joe Castiglione here.

Wakefield's 2007 Option Picked Up

Tim Wakefield's $4 million option for 2007 was picked up by the Red Sox.

Wakefield was sidelined last July with a stress fracture in his ribs and pitched only 140 innings, his lowest total since 1999. In 23 starts, he had a 4.63 ERA -- approximately the same as the AL league average (4.61). His ERA+ of 100 was second best on the staff, behind Curt Schilling (112) and ahead of Jon Lester (97) and Josh Beckett (92).

Wakefield:

As far as my health is concerned, I feel great ... I'm looking forward to getting back to the gym and starting to throw, probably by the first part of December. My body feels a lot better than in July. ... I think time is the cure-all for this injury, and now that I’ve been off for a month, it feels really good. ... I plan to pitch as long as the Red Sox continue to pick up my option.

Two more Boston players -- Alex Gonzalez and Mark Loretta -- filed for free agency, joining Trot Nixon, Doug Mirabelli and Gabe Kapler.

Former Royals GM Allard Baird was named as Theo Epstein's assistant. He will oversee the team's professional scouting department.

The Further Adventures Of Dirtid Gritstein

Update: Poster Yaz-Tex meets Tito on a plane! See comments.

...

Anyone sick of the media gushing over lil' David Eckstein?

The undoubtedly-now-completely-insane people over at Fire Joe Morgan sure are. Click here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and (this one is out of chronological order, but I wanted to save it for last) HERE.

Ken Tremendous also pretty much destroys any defense of Jeter winning the Aaron Award for the best offensive performance.

Jeter Wins AL Aaron Award

Derek Jeter was the AL winner of the Hank Aaron Award for all-around offensive performance. Ryan Howard was the NL winner.

Howard received 33 percent of all National League fan votes and Jeter received 37 percent of the AL votes. The votes came from fans voting at MLB's website, thus making this a fairly pointless exercise. Still, it might serve as a small insight into how the actual awards will go in November.

The AL MVP will be named on November 21. MLB's story lists what it feels are the strongest candidates -- Jermaine Dye, Jeter, Justin Morneau, David Ortiz, and Johan Santana.

In Ortiz's case, Jim Molony writes:

Big Papi certainly has MVP numbers. ... Unfortunately for Ortiz, his team has struggled in the second half and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

This shit infuriates me (the same excuse is offered for Travis Hafner, who also was injured for all of September). An ungodly number of injuries in August and sub-par seasons from various teammates should not affect Ortiz's standing. Likewise, if the prolonged absences of Matsui and Sheffield (or some shitty pitching) had derailed New York's season, that should in no way detract from Jeter's performance.

Dave Roberts Among Sox Hall Of Fame Inductees

David Roberts will be inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame on November 9, along with Jerry Remy, George Scott, Ellis Kinder, Vern Stephens, VP Dick Bresciani and former managers Dick Williams and Joe Morgan.

Roberts is being honored in the "Memorable Moments" category for his "Steal of the Century":

What's funny is that when I was in the middle of stealing the base, I thought I had it. But as I look back at the highlight over and over, I didn't realize how close the play actually was. It seems like the more I watch it, the closer and closer it gets. ... It's just amazing how close the play was and I get chills every time I think about it.

Timlin Signed For '07; Tito In Hospital

The Globe reports that the Sox have resigned Mike Timlin for next season at $2.8 million (about a 20% cut from 2006).

In 68 games last year, Timlin's ERA was 4.36. Not a horrible number -- it's a 106 ERA+ -- but his second half was ugly. From July 23: 28.2 innings, 6.91 ERA, 1.81 WHIP, and only 3.8 K/9.

I figured the Sox would let him go, but until Manny Delcarmen and Craig Hansen get their shit together, this is probably not a bad move. Boston may not be able to find six other relievers who would be better than the 41-year-old Timlin, and $3 million is not a lot of dough for what he could give them.

Also, Terry Francona has been hospitalized with an infection in his left foot and will not be going to Japan for the exhibition games next month.

WS 102: Cardinals / Tigers

For the next week or so, we here at Redsock Manor are Tiger fans.