[Tournament] 2007 MLB Discussion Thread

Boy, you couldn't even wait for the start of free agent signings Capo? You're a fucking Pirates fan, the last thing you should want is the baseball season to come any sooner so you can wallow in pity about your pathetic Buckos. Why don't you just stick with hockey and wait for the Penguins' other shoe to drop (which we both know it will) before you can bring out the frowny face.

Playing along, I'm not very excited for the Red Sox right now. There's a lot of work to be done.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

The Boston Red Sox reportedly have the highest bid sent to the Seibu Lions in order to negotiate with Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Now I'm excited. But the Sox are reportedly bidding $35-40M to just win the rights to negotiate a contract with him. They would still have to sign him after that.

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Originally Posted by Ryuu

If the Red Sox get him, what's their lineup going to look like?

Matsuzaka, Beckett, Shilling, Wakefield and possibly Papelbon, right?

Assuming Schilling doesn't retire and Beckett isn't shipped back to the National League for prospects and ca$h, that's probably an accurate rotation. I'm sure Matt Clement misses being in the rotation.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Nee: Sheffield is a douchebag. Enjoy that albatross!

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Peter Gammons (back in action, as he should be) told his pals at ESPN that the Boston Red Sox have indeed put in the high bid for Daisuke Mastuzaka with a $42M bid.

That's a lot of coin for one man. He had better be good.

I was speaking idiomatically.

$51.1M is crazy just to negotiate with a guy. He better win 30 games and pitch 300 Ks each year or he won't be worth it. Yes I'm serious. This is the kind of move that kills a team's economy, and the Red Sox don't have enough seats to sell their expensive-ass tickets for so they'll have to jack the damn prices up even more.

In other news, the new Diamondbacks attire looks good.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by knkwzrd

Ten to one odds he gets injured before the All Star break.

Considering he's rumored to have pitched in more strenuous situations, I'd only take that bet as an irony bet.

FELIPE NO

I'll play devil's advocate and give you two words: European football.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Here's where I get really blown away by the whole Matsuzaka situation:

So, say the Sox sign him to a $60M/5yr deal, or $12M/yr, which is about what some analysts are suggesting they'll pay him (he is in his prime, anyway). Considering the Sox just chipped in $51M (we'll say it's $50M for math simplification), that means the Sox will really be paying $101M for a 5-year deal, or about $20M/yr for one guy. That's more than Manny gets paid (which I'm cool with; if Daisuke has any bit the work ethic of Ichiro that alone may pay for itself), and that's less than A-Rod gets and the same as Jeter and Giambi. Anyway, we'll see what happens.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

If you break it down then probably, but over the span of the deal.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Hey, Trot's not over-the-hill.

The Sox got two of the guys they wanted (JD Drew and Julio Lugo from Red Sox West a.k.a. the Dodgers...hey Grady and Nomar!) and couldn't get rid of the one they don't. Ought to be another fun-filled first half of Manny being Manny!

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Bonds is a Giant again.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

They'll (Red Sox and Matsu) get it done.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Looks like the Sox are going to strike out on Daisuke.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I'm wondering what Barry's motivation is here. As Fiddlegoof mentioned, the man barely has any defensive capability left, and he probably has to condition himself near to death to keep himself in good enough condition to run the bases. He should've gone to the American League to DH (I can't imagine him having a personal vendetta against the DH, like it's an impure baseball thing...they have him do it in interleague games), playing for Oakland and just get his 22 homeruns that way.

In other news, Interleague turns 10 this year. Success or failure? For me it's a success, but what I'd like is for some teams in different leagues to play each other each year no matter what (Boston v. Mets or Braves or Marlins thanks Theo) instead of the rotating divisional schedule they have now and since 2001 (AL East vs. NL West this year? FAGS).

FELIPE NO

Red Sox apparently pull a Astros/Clemens "lol j/k" with Matsuzaka.

How ya doing, buddy?

No surprise: Daisuke Matsuzaka is a member of the Boston Red Sox. Spring training is going to be interesting.

Here's Dan Shaughnessy's letter to DaiMat:

Quote:

An open letter to Daisuke Matsuzaka:

Dear, Dice-K (OK if we call you Dice-K? Or would you rather D-Mat or Dice Man?),

Welcome to Boston. Thought you might like to know a little about your new workplace. A move like this can be quite an adjustment, so we've put together a few thoughts to help you with this major transition in your professional life. These are merely suggestions. Take 'em or leave 'em.

When you stand in front of microphones at your first press conference, take a deep breath and announce, "I guess I hate the Yankees now." You don't have to mean it. You may not even understand the words. But this simple, little phrase will forever endear you to Red Sox fans around the globe.

Never make fun of employees at Burger King. All Red Sox fans are your friends.

Be wary of a large teammate with a blond mullet wearing No. 38. He will explain that he is a spokesman for all of the other players and instruct you on everything from tipping the clubhouse kids to throwing the splitter. He will show you his copious notes on all major league umpires. He will tell you which media members to trust and which ones are snakes. He will also urge you to vote Republican.

You will be impressed with your new catcher. Japanese ballplayers traditionally work harder and put in longer days than American players. You will appreciate the work ethic of Jason Varitek. He will be the best catcher you've ever had. Do everything he says. He will not tell you how to vote.

If Julio Lugo makes an error behind you, do not say, "Gonzalez would have had it."

Do not be surprised or insulted when a Spanish-speaking player wearing No. 24 greets you at spring training with, "Hey, who are you? When did we get you? Were you in Pawtucket last year? I love playing in Pawtucket." This man will turn out to be the best hitter you have ever seen.

If you don't want to learn English, we understand. In fact, it might not be a bad strategy. All you really need is one stock answer. Try "It is what it is." You will be amazed how well that works.

Do not ask for jersey No. 9. Your old No. 18 will do just fine. In fact, Sox fans will be happy to find new use for their old Johnny Damon shirts.

Feel free to tell us that Scott Boras was ready to blow up the whole deal, but you intervened and said, "I'm not a tool to help you change the posting system! I'm not a child! Just get a deal done! I want to pitch for the Red Sox in 2007. It's not about the money."

Do not buy football tickets from Fred Smerlas.

If you accidentally hit a batter and ignite a bench-clearing brawl, make sure you stand next to Wily Mo Peña during the fracas.

Demand that Tom Werner give your wife her own show on NESN. If you encounter any resistance, just tell him, "Hey, you put Michelle Damon on your network."

Never comment about carrying your bags. Never.

Tell J.D. Drew he's got to buy you dinner at least once every road trip. There's a chance he's only here because the Sox wanted to soften up your agent for your negotiations.

Explain to Theo Epstein that you do not want to sign a contract, but would be OK with a signature to memorialize an agreement.

Stand very close when you talk to John Henry. He's a notoriously low talker.

Don't feel bad for Kevin Youkilis when he's introduced at home. Those are not boos.

Remove all AM radios from your home and automobiles.

Stand near David Ortiz whenever possible. Some stardust may fall from his head to your shoulders.

Pay no attention to confusing, number-numbing reports placed at your locker if they are postmarked, "Lawrence, Kan."

Pretend you do not understand what they are saying when you hear the words "pitch count."

When you hear the words "Jimmy Fund," follow that person and do anything he or she asks. The rewards will be enormous.

Take the ball every fifth day, pitch your heart out, make no excuses, say only good things about your teammates, salute the fans, sign autographs, smile, and act like you are enjoying yourself. Let the experience of pitching for the Red Sox at Fenway Park wash over you like a soft summer rain. You're going to love it here.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Maybe if he was the Barry Zito every baseball game from before 2004 simulated his career to be, then he'd be a bargain.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

<anal>Mark McGwire</anal>

Barry Bonds is a giant asshole, and the day that everyone realizes that assholes don't make good teammates is the day he retires. (P.S.: he's a free agent.)

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I guess I thought he was a FA. Oh well, the Giants can keep their clubhouse cancer. I hope he breaks Aaron's record, gets admonished for it, and turns into a close-but-not-quite Hall of Fame snub.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Mark Buerhle gave up one too many walks today. But a no-hitter isn't nothing.

How ya doing, buddy?

So ARod is on pace to hit to 117 home runs and the Yankees are on pace to win 72 games. Maybe the Yankees just suck?

How ya doing, buddy?

So ARod is on pace to hit 68 home runs and the Yankees are on pace to win 76 games. I think the Yankees do just suck.

Like any good Red Sox fan, I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop. They're 8.5 games ahead of the Yankees (biggest lead since September 1995) and have the best record in baseball. It's just a matter of time before that gap closes though; I'd say starting next month.

FELIPE NO

Just because he'll be paid more than the entire Devil Rays 25-man roster doesn't mean he's worth it.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I wonder when the last time the Yankees were in last place this late in the season.

Jam it back in, in the dark.