December

By Eric Wilbur

2 minutes to read

It was bizarre, for sure. But how we view the Daisuke Matsuzaka mania of this past month in the long-term will depend on how he, you know, actually pitches.

Is he worth the hoopla, or all hype, no substance?

The Red Sox are obviously banking on the assumption that he’s the real deal, sinking an additional $52 million into the hurler, on top of the $51 million they owed the Seibu Lions in the posting process. The outside chance that he is Hideki Irabu and not Hideo Nomo would be disastrous.


Now, the fact that he’s already conjuring comparisons to Pedro Martinez in his heyday isn’t exactly lessening the expectations surrounding him. Martinez is no less than one of the top-three pitchers in Red Sox history. Before he even arrives in Fort Myers, Matsuzaka has that to live up to?
Everyone knows how dominant Matsuzaka was in Japan, but can that translate into the major leagues? Probably, though not at the height of success he had overseas. But using a number of theories and applications, some have predicted that a 2007 Matsuzaka would be comparable to pitchers such as Roy Halladay, Brandon Webb, Chris Carpenter, Jason Schmidt, Josh Beckett, Pedro Martinez, Tim Hudson, and Jake Peavy. Many also took comfort in watching Matsuzaka deal against current Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki in a 1999 clip.

Combine those more than favorable projections with the untapped marketing potential the Red Sox will become the beneficiary of in the Far East, and it’s evident why such a wealthy investment’s risk is more than worth the reward. And man, does he seem like he’s going to be fun to watch.
In other news…

  • The Red Sox sign injury-prone JD Drew, despite the protests of anyone outside of Yawkey Way, to a $70 million deal. Nearly a month later the contract still isn’t finalized since the Red Sox are hesitant about the results of Drew’s physical. If the Sox do get the price knocked down, do Red Sox fans look at him differently? Probably. If not? Trot Nixon is still out there. Don’t bet on it, but stranger things have happened.
  • Tom O’Brien jumps ship at The Heights for North Carolina State. BC hires Jeff Jagodzinski to take his place. BC fans had big problems with O’Brien playing not to lose, but whatever. They’ll have the same issues with Jagodzinski. And despite it being the likes of tomorrow’s Meineke Car Care Bowl, and whatnot, seven wins in seven bowls is still a pretty good feat to go for, no?
  • Bruins rookie Phil Kessel is diagnosed with testicular cancer. He is he second Boston professional sports rookie to get a cancer diagnosis. Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester started a battle with lymphoma in August, and this month, the news came that he had finished his treatment and will be in Fort Myers come February.
  • Theo Epstein fails to get fair value in trade talks regarding Manny Ramirez, who remains a member of the Red Sox heading into 2007.