The Red Sox and Daisuke Matsuzaka still have nearly three weeks to come to terms on a contract, but preliminary indications are that the sides may have to overcome an initial gap as wide as the Pacific Ocean.
According to sources, the Sox’ initial proposal was roughly half of what the pitcher’s agent, Scott Boras, proposed. The most likely scenario is that the Sox proposed somewhere in the neighborhood of $7-8 million annually and Boras came in at roughly $15 million.
The length of the contract also could be an issue, particularly if Boras, as has been suggested, is lobbying for Matsuzaka to become a free agent after three years. Under the terms of the agreement between MLB and Japanese baseball officials, the Sox would own Matsuzaka’s rights for six years.
レッドソックスは4年以上で年俸7~8百万ドル、代理人のボラスは3年で年俸15百万ドル。最初の提示はこんなもの。いい線だ。
間を取って、4年間で年俸12~13百万ドルで決着か。