Bidding war is on deck

**min0 lee** · 11-04-2006, 10:02 AM

Let's all welcome our newest Yankee!!

Japanese ace on way
BY ADAM RUBIN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is ready to hear from the majors' highest bidder. TOKYO - Daisuke Matsuzaka was so enamored by Major League Baseball, the Japanese righthander made a special trip to the United States to watch the Yankees and Braves meet in the World Series seven years ago. Next season he plans to return, this time as a big leaguer.
Before a crowd of 200 reporters in a ballroom at the Takanawa Prince Hotel, Seibu Lions president Hidekazu Ota confirmed the team's intention to make Matsuzaka available via the posting system.
Once Matsuzaka is posted, major-league clubs will have four days to submit sealed bids. The Lions then have four days to accept the highest bid, which could reach $20 million - $7 million more than the Orix Blue Wave got in 2000 for posting Ichiro Suzuki. (Seibu is supposed to know only the amount, not the winning bidder.) Once the offer is accepted, the Lions will pocket that eight-figure payment, provided Matsuzaka and the major-league team come to terms on a contract within 30 days.
The Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, and Rangers are expected to be among the bidders. According to the Seattle Times, GM Bill Bavasi said the Mariners will not be posting a bid for Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka announced Scott Boras would represent him.
"During the past two years my feeling to participate in Major League Baseball has grown more and more," Matsuzaka, dressed in a black suit and tie, said through an interpreter as he sat at a dais with Ota. "I've been in Japanese baseball for 10 years, and that seems like a long time. Even last year I thought about my being eligible for posting, but this year seems to be the time."
Matsuzaka, 26, went 17-5 with a 2.13 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 186-1/3 innings this season with Seibu, which also employed Kaz Matsui before the infielder's arrival from the Mets as a free agent. During Matsuzaka's eight pro seasons he's led the Pacific League in wins three times, strikeouts four times and ERA twice. He also has one Sawamura Award, the equivalent of the Cy Young.
The 6-foot, 187-pound Matsuzaka's profile further increased when he accounted for three of champion Japan's five wins at the World Baseball Classic. He held Cuba to one run in four innings in the finals and earned the WBC's inaugural MVP award. "Fans saw how great his performance was in the WBC," Ota said through an interpreter. "And we understand the feeling he has to go to the major leagues. We sympathize with that feeling, and we appreciate his tremendous effort on behalf of the Seibu Lions."
As for potentially landing in New York, Matsuzaka said: "I've talked to a lot of people, and they said it's a city where things are 'happening.'"
He also raved about Yankee Stadium. "You have to say that's a place that's just filled with history," Matsuzaka said. "I could feel that when I was there." Matsuzaka hits 95 mph with his fastball, but it's his two sliders - particularly one that dives downward - that excite observers. He also throws a changeup, forkball and curveball, a devastating array of pitches. Insiders laugh off Matsuzaka's supposed ability to throw a gyroball, a pitch developed by a physicist that conceptually, at least, breaks inward, then outward, on righty batters as it darts toward the plate. "I think I have to raise my level a bit, but I think I have it within me to be able to succeed, and so I'm full of confidence," Matsuzaka said.

**Double D** · 11-04-2006, 11:59 AM

Doesnt matter seems like every pitcher that has been great that comes to the Yankees turns out to be average or even worse (that is since around 2001). Mussina however was pretty good, but thats about it.

**min0 lee** · 11-04-2006, 12:02 PM

I disagree, name the pitchers and we'll talk.
Pitching or just playing in NY is not easy, trust me.

**Double D** · 11-04-2006, 12:04 PM

Oh yeah I know that, hell not just pitching, but playing.

Hell Johnson and Vazquez to name 2. Now I dont think Johnson has been bad, but he hasnt been his dominant self either. And Vazquez just wasnt any good imo. They need to take a look at their pitching coach.

**largepkg** · 11-04-2006, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

I disagree, name the pitchers and we'll talk.
Pitching or just playing in NY is not easy, trust me.

Carl Pavano?

**Double D** · 11-04-2006, 01:06 PM

Pavano wasnt good in the first place imo......damn Yankees.

**largepkg** · 11-04-2006, 01:09 PM

This is my point. He had one good year with the Marlins (my team, and his last year) and the Yanks over paid for him big time!

**Double D** · 11-04-2006, 01:11 PM

Good point....point well taken.

**Double D** · 11-04-2006, 01:46 PM

Mino?????

**min0 lee** · 11-04-2006, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Double D

Oh yeah I know that, hell not just pitching, but playing.

Hell Johnson and Vazquez to name 2. Now I dont think Johnson has been bad, but he hasnt been his dominant self either. And Vazquez just wasnt any good imo. They need to take a look at their pitching coach.

Johnson's old with a bad back and Vazquez who is no Cy Young wilted under the bright lights of NYC.

**min0 lee** · 11-04-2006, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by largepkg

Carl Pavano?

That free loader. Another free agent looking to cash in on Yankee money.

**min0 lee** · 11-04-2006, 04:22 PM

I heard from Bobby Valentine that this guy isn't so good, he throws a 97 mph "flat'' fastball which he reaches at least twice a game.
He doubts he'll be a star.

But then again he said Kaz Matsui and Hideki would be superstars.

**Double D** · 11-04-2006, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Johnson's old with a bad back and Vazquez who is no Cy Young wilted under the bright lights of NYC.

Johnson was great before New York however. And yes Vazquez choked, but the Yankees can be blamed for that. I think they need a new pitching coach!

**largepkg** · 11-04-2006, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

That free loader. Another free agent looking to cash in on Yankee money.

Don't you mean "that greedy owner over paid for another player"?

How can you possibly blame anyone for taking money that was thrown at them?

**Double D** · 11-04-2006, 04:24 PM

I blame someone like Arod who went to the Rangers before the Yankees....and then cried because he wanted out because he was tired of losing. On the other hand going to NY and knowing you will win, and get paid alot. Well there should never be any complaining.

**min0 lee** · 11-04-2006, 04:26 PM

1998Hou11114484.157121242611610100--1.281998--3434106244.1203102892386329191100--3.281999Ari3535122271.22078675307036417900--2.492000Ari353583248.22028973237634719700--2.642001Ari353432249.21817469197137221600--2.492002Ari353584260.01977867267133424500--2.322003Ari181811114.0125615416271256800--4.262004Ari353542245.217788711844290161400--2.602005NYY343440225.220710295324721117800--3.792006NYY333320205.01941251142860172171100--5.01Total--55654698373798.2301315301357361140945442801472013. 22

If you take a look at those numbers you'll see a decline 2 years before he became a Yankee.

**Triple Threat** · 11-04-2006, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

1998Hou11114484.157121242611610100--1.281998--3434106244.1203102892386329191100--3.281999Ari3535122271.22078675307036417900--2.492000Ari353583248.22028973237634719700--2.642001Ari353432249.21817469197137221600--2.492002Ari353584260.01977867267133424500--2.322003Ari181811114.0125615416271256800--4.262004Ari353542245.217788711844290161400--2.602005NYY343440225.220710295324721117800--3.792006NYY333320205.01941251142860172171100--5.01Total--55654698373798.2301315301357361140945442801472013. 22

If you take a look at those numbers you'll see a decline 2 years before he became a Yankee.

If I take a look at those numbers I'll get a headache.

**min0 lee** · 11-04-2006, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by largepkg

Don't you mean "that greedy owner over paid for another player"?

How can you possibly blame anyone for taking money that was thrown at them?

Very true, but I am also happy to have a greedy old owner that tries to win championships than a Greedy old owner who pockets the money and doesn't care if his team wins.

**min0 lee** · 11-04-2006, 04:30 PM

The thing about Pavano is that he's always hurt, even his teammates were not happy about him.

**min0 lee** · 11-04-2006, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by Triple Threat

If I take a look at those numbers I'll get a headache.

I have to throw them off!

**min0 lee** · 11-04-2006, 04:34 PM

I will post his numbers in a bit.

It's said by players both who have played there and those who played against them that they harder against the Yankees, teams like KC they seem to take it easier.

**largepkg** · 11-04-2006, 04:36 PM

Mino, it's all relative. He has so much more revenue to draw from then any other owner. I'm sure if other owners had the same, they would do the same!

**min0 lee** · 11-04-2006, 04:39 PM

**Double D** · 11-04-2006, 04:41 PM

Look at those numbers he posted for Arizona. Damn era was in the 2's!!!. But I will go with the whole he is getting old. But then again still have to blame the Yankee org. for picking him up!

**min0 lee** · 11-04-2006, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by largepkg

Mino, it's all relative. He has so much more revenue to draw from then any other owner. I'm sure if other owners had the same, they would do the same!

Nope, did you know that the owner of KC is spending his money elsewhere but his team.
They keep letting good players go.
Most of that revenue he pockets is from the Yankees

**min0 lee** · 11-04-2006, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by Double D

Look at those numbers he posted for Arizona. Damn era was in the 2's!!!. But I will go with the whole he is getting old. But then again still have to blame the Yankee org. for picking him up!

If Johnson was a 20 year old then I would have to agree with you, he's a veteran who doesn't need a baby sitter.

I do admit that Rogers and Weaver made them look bad.

**min0 lee** · 11-04-2006, 04:47 PM

It does take a pitcher a while to adjust in NY.
Look at Clemens. He did fine afterward.

**Double D** · 11-04-2006, 04:48 PM

Yes and no I mean he is a vet and should be able to find ways to win and that just wasnt the case. BTW I heard today they are lookin at Mulder.

**min0 lee** · 11-04-2006, 04:49 PM

Petite, Cone didn't fizzle.

**min0 lee** · 11-04-2006, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by Double D

Yes and no I mean he is a vet and should be able to find ways to win and that just wasnt the case. BTW I heard today they are lookin at Mulder.

They say physically he wasn't OK, he did just have back surgery not too long ago.

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