Report: Seattle OUT of Matsuzaka Sweepstakes

by anaconda on Nov 2, 2006 5:16 AM EST

According to Peter Abraham of Lohud:

Seattle bails on Matsuzaka

I've done a little writing for Sports Nippon in Japan. My editor from that paper told me tonight that the big news in Japan is that Seattle does not plan to make a bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka.

The Mariners are controlled by the same Japanese company that owns Nintendo. Despite their resources, they apparently don't want to spend the $70 or $80 million it could ultimately take to get the right-hander.

It would be almost shocking at this point if the Yankees don't end up with him. The Mets have the resources but have been burned many times by Japanese players.

The Red Sox could get in the mix, too. But I suspect the Yankees will blow everybody out of the water. They've drawn eight million fans the last two seasons. That's a lot of $8 beer.

Brian Cashman held a conference call on Tuesday.

Here is a quick summation:

Don Mattingly is the bench coach and probably the next manager but has no guarantee.

It wasn't Lee Mazzilli's fault. But, um, somebody had to go.

Kevin Long is well-liked and works hard.

No comment on Gary Sheffield.

Big Stein is feelin' fine down in Tampa.

Mariano Rivera has summoned the beat writers to his New Rochelle restaurant on Wednesday. It seems to be a publicity grab. But it's always interesting to hear what Mo has to offer.

This will come as a surprise to most people who have followed the inevitable Matsuzaka bidding war because Seattle was supposed to be a major player and one of the few obstacles in Steinbrenner and Co.'s way.

Obviously, when it comes to cold hard cash, nobody in MLB spends it like the New York Yankees.

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I saw

this also, but I can't believe that Seattle would just bow out of this.

by ReLaunch on Nov 2, 2006 6:43 AM EST reply actions

I can

They're stuck with Sexson's and Beltre's contracts. That's some hefty dough for mediocre production.

Off the Facade
You say "sell-out," I say "opportunist."

by PinstripePowerhouse on Nov 2, 2006 8:58 AM EST up reply actions

It's a trick!

Get the other teams to bid less then BAM! Pearl Harbor'd!

by onehitwonder @ Pinstripe Alley on Nov 2, 2006 10:09 AM EST reply actions

Seattle is out

I called a buddy of mine from Seattle, and it appears so. Apparently they don't have the expected $$$ needed to land him.

That certainly increases our chances. Man, this guy better not SUCK.

by Ronster22 on Nov 2, 2006 1:15 PM EST reply actions

This is downright silly...

I want to know was stops the Red Sox from bidding $100 million and then offering a 2 year 1mil contract just to keep him off the Yanks this year? Essentially, that is how the rule works.

80mil?? Am I the only one having a hard time with that number?

by dbm20th on Nov 2, 2006 1:15 PM EST reply actions

Boras demands the bucks

If anyone can squeeze $80 large by hyping a client, it's Scott Boras. I have little doubt the Yankees, Bosox, Mets, and likely several others will line up with their checkbooks in hand.

I think it will be the Yanks, but with the ripple of "the fat toad" still fresh in my mind, this guy better be the shit.

by Ronster22 on Nov 2, 2006 2:56 PM EST up reply actions

He is

Just search for him on youtube and you'll see why.

by docgonzo on Nov 2, 2006 3:20 PM EST up reply actions

No it doesn't work that way

The money from the winning bid goes to the Japanese team. THEN you have to deal with the player's contract. If you low-ball him, he can go back to Japan and play another year and then be a free agent, next year.

by onehitwonder @ Pinstripe Alley on Nov 2, 2006 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

That's what he's saying

And Seibu doesn't see the money until a contract is signed. No contract, no payday for Seibu.

Off the Facade
You say "sell-out," I say "opportunist."

by PinstripePowerhouse on Nov 2, 2006 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

Call me skeptical

I've seen some footage, but until I see him blow balls past Ortiz, and Ramirez and help power the Yankees to the WS, I'm skeptical.

by Ronster22 on Nov 2, 2006 3:31 PM EST reply actions

Best available pitcher

No one is saying he is the second coming of the Rocket. He is just the best starter available and the Yanks desperately need starting pitching. Hence, the logic of the pursuit.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Nov 2, 2006 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

The pursuit is logical...

but is the money? That's a lot of jack to throw at a guy who may not be better than Jason Schmidt.

Does anyone have a stat line on this guy we can see? And not just the W/L record: I wanna see BB/9, K/9, HR/9, GB/FB ratio, something that can tell us how talented this guy really is.

A video of him pitching in Japan isn't enough for me. Appearances can be deceiving.

by Willton on Nov 2, 2006 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

His numbers

for all the categories you say are good. But I do agree with you, those numbers don't always translate to success in the US.

by ReLaunch on Nov 2, 2006 3:41 PM EST up reply actions

Saw his 2005 stats in Japan,

and this guy is quite good. High K's, low BB's, and although I don't know if he's a groundball or flyball pitcher, he seems to be a GBer considering the little number of HR's he gives up per 9 innings.

The analysts say that Japan leagues are somewhere between AAA and MLB, so there likely won't be too much of a dropoff in production in going to the Western hemisphere. He's very comparable to Brandon Webb and Chris Carpenter. It's still a lot of money to give up, but it very well may be worth it.

by Willton on Nov 2, 2006 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

Hellacious movement

I found some additional footage, and he throws up in the strike zone. He does have some sort of curve-type pitch that breaks sharply down and away from righties. The Japanese guys were overmatched, but I do wonder if American hitters will be abit more disciplined and take the walk?

If $80 large is the ticket, I might take a pass and hope he turns out more like Hideki Irabu rather than Hideki Matsui.

by Ronster22 on Nov 2, 2006 5:26 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know, is Matsui good at pitching?

by Willton on Nov 3, 2006 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

M's fan here.

Contrary to the above opinion, money is not the reason the Mariners bowed out. If Yamanuchi and Nintendo really wanted him, they easily would of had the money to do so.

It seems however, that something Boras/Matsuzaka said or did, pissed off Yamanuchi so he called Bavasi and told him to not bid. I highly disagree and thinks its incredibly stupid that they aren't even going to try, but there it is.

by Goose on Nov 2, 2006 8:21 PM EST reply actions

And also.

the Beltre/Sexson/Washburn contracts do not hamper our ability to spend whatsoever.

by Goose on Nov 2, 2006 8:22 PM EST up reply actions

They do hamper your ability to win though

Was that Bavasi on those fucktard contracts or the previous regime? If it was Bavasi, he must be a graduate of the Rumsfeld School of Keeping Your Job For No Reason Whatsoever

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Nov 2, 2006 8:31 PM EST up reply actions