Make That $51 Million Just to Talk to Matsuzaka Daisuke (松坂 大輔)

Baseball has gone nuts. Or is it just more of the same.

No ballplayer is worth a quarter of a billion dollars…but, now the Boston Red Sox have paid $51 million to just talk to Matsuzaka Daisuke.

Matsuzaka is considered the pitching version of Ichiro.

In Japan, where the seasons are shorter – 130 games, Matsuzaka won 108 games and lost 60 in 8 seasons.  He has 1355 whiffs in 1402 innings. His ERA is 2.95. He also hits above .200.

The boy is 5’11" tall and weighs 187 lbs…not small even for an American ball player.

His complete Japanese record can be found here.

But, it is worth $51 million just to try to negotiate a deal? Of course, if it falls through, no harm no foul…and Matsuzaka heads back to Japan.

And, btw, who says baseball isn’t business?

The Seibu Lions are making a killing, and chances are the Red Sox will make out in the long run with all the Japanese fans they will surely pick up…every fifth day.

What do you think?

Another posting about Matsuzaka

Video of Matsuzaka’ Gyro Ball