 Friday, December 15, 2006
Matsuzaka signing hurts both the Yankees and Mets
The Red Sox avoided shaming themselves with the Japanese people by coming to terms with World Baseball Classic MVP Daisuke Matsuzaka. This would not have been the first time as they snatched Kevin Millar back from Japan a few years ago according to AOL Sports Blogers Live (SBL). However, Matsuzaka is a native son and hero and NOT signing him would have shamed the Japanese and hampered Red Sox efforts to expand into Japan as the Yankees have with Hideki Matsui.
The key factor was none other than super-agent Scott Boras, Matsuzaka's agent. Driving a hard bargain is an understatement, Boras was still negotiating on the plane back to Boston on Wednesday. It was the 11th hour as the 30 day window to sign Matsuzaka was closing the next day.
If you are a Yankees or Mets fan, why should you care about what I have just written. The reasons are as follows:
(1) Bad: The Mets were the second highest bidder for Matzusaka and obviously out bid by the Red Sox.
(2) Worse: The Yankees are hurt by the fact that they'll have to face an all-world pitcher several times a year.
(3) Worst: The price for the Mets to get Barry Zito just got much higher. In addition to the $51.1 million right to negotiate with Matsuzaka, Boras wanted a $100 million contract for Matsuzaka. Boras "only" got $52 million (plus incentives to $60 million). If you Barry Zito, you are going to need to pay around $100 or more million.
Is Zito worth it? How much is a World Series worth? I have written and stated during the past season that the Mets needed to get Zito in return for Lastings Milledge but did not. If the Mets had Zito, I would bet my part of the farm on the Mets to win the 2006 World Series. Look at what the Mets did without Zito. Think what they would have done with Zito. It's that simple.
My fellow Dominican Omar Minaya has to make this deal. He will be competing with the Texas Rangers who desperately need pitching and there is no state tax in Texas versus 11 percent (7 percent state and 4 percent city) in New York.
If Omar is not going to return my calls for setting up a date with Mets fan Julia Stiles, he better sign Zito or I will really be upset.
Posted by an anxious Tank in NY.
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