As we wait for confirmation that the hated Sox won the D-Mak sweepstakes, one interesting theory bubbling up is that the Boston team’s bid was little more than a cock-block to keep the Japanese fireballer out of the Bronx.
Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal:
If it’s true, as reported, that the Red Sox bid $38 million to $45 million for Matsuzaka’s rights, they might not even intend to sign him.
One rival executive says flatly that the Red Sox could not come up with such a sum for Matsuzka’s Japanese team, the Seibu Lions, within the prescribed 35-day limit.
Others believe that Sox owner John Henry could indeed produce the cash, but that the team’s true goal would be to block the Yankees.
Of course regardless of whether the Sox — or whomever — are serious about trying to sign Matsuzaka, the question remains why it is taking so long for the Seibu Lions to make up their collective minds. Presumably they had a number in mind as an acceptable price and it was either met or not. It raises the question of whether the “winning” bid might be more complicated than advertised. What are the guidelines? Is it just a straight number or are things like escalator clauses allowed? Other wrinkles?
What’s taking so damn long?
November 12th, 2006
Just because you are obsessed with the Yankees Coporation doesn’t make the Red Sox Corporation the “hated sox”. Dear writer pal, the objective of professional writing is objecvism, no? (In the obejective not Randian sense of course).
Personally I would not be surprised it Greater Boston could come up with nearly any sum to block the Yankees, though the numebers being cited are simply stupid.