Ray Finkle said:The difference between guys like Igawa, Ichiro and Matzusaka is that there still have contracts with their team which is why there's a bidding. There was a bid for Ichiro which was 13 million I believe.
Guys like both Matsuis and the lefty RP the Sox signed today were free agents and thus could talk to any team they wanted.
nyjunc said:I saw an blurb yesterday where Matsui said Igawa was really good and Matsui's career #s against igawa were pretty bad. Maybe h's not as bad as people seem to think?
BigDogsHunt said:Yeah, saw that.....Igawa led the Japan league in K's several times. He must have something working for him, and only 27 so as a projected 3rd, 4th, or 5th starter he could hold his own I suspect.
BigDogsHunt said:Heard it on MLB.TV and they said especially since his Japan Club is hurting financially they want the $51M more than they want him back.
If true, this could explain why Boston is nowhere near his demands and trying to force him to a lower contract since he feels he has no options.
BigDogsHunt said:Ahhhh...thanks, didnt realize that.
Hey, have you heard the rumors that if Matsusaka doesnt sign with Red Sox his Japan team will be ticked and ship him to their minors since its an insult while under contract to request to play in MLB?????
Heard it on MLB.TV and they said especially since his Japan Club is hurting financially they want the $51M more than they want him back.
If true, this could explain why Boston is nowhere near his demands and trying to force him to a lower contract since he feels he has no options.