大谷、大谷、大谷

シェークスピアのハムレットより

松坂UPDATE、FOX Sportsの記事 - 松坂は契約する

2006-12-12 18:27:11 | MLB
Agent Scott Boras would beg to differ.
The other perception is that the Red Sox can walk away from Matsuzaka, sign free-agent right-hander Roger Clemens and live happily after.

Again, not so fast.

Boras and the Red Sox represent two of the most powerful forces in the sport — equally cunning, equally confident, equally brilliant.

But both sides had better be careful, or they could wind up ruining their respective reputations in Japan.

The staredown figures to continue until midnight Thursday, the deadline for Matsuzaka to sign with the Red Sox.

It's going to happen.

It has to happen.

But the dynamics of the three-way negotiation between Matsuzaka, the Red Sox and the pitcher's Japanese club, the Seibu Lions, remain a source of intrigue.

The issue, of course, is what the Red Sox should pay Matsuzaka after bidding $51.1 million to win his negotiating rights.

Boras wants the pitcher to be compensated like an elite free agent. The Red Sox want to exploit their advantage, knowing Matsuzaka would face embarrassment if he returned to Japan.

If Boras feels cornered, he sure isn't letting on. He could face a firing squad, and still would find leverage.

His best approach might be to challenge the posting process, arguing that the exorbitant right fees encourage major-league teams to depress the salaries of Japanese players.

Matsuzaka, though, probably isn't game for such a fight; he's 26, entering his prime and anxious to play in the majors.

And Boras, while endlessly creative, is nothing if not practical.

Boras probably can't buy Matsuzaka's free agency from Seibu; the precedent would lead to similar defections, irreparably damaging Japanese baseball.

Boras could, however, attempt to persuade Seibu to sign Matsuzaka for one more year at a massive sum — say, $20 million — in exchange for Matsuzaka's agreeing to be posted again after next season.

At that point, the winning major-league bidder presumably would have greater incentive to pay Matsuzaka market value; he would be only a year away from free agency in Japan.

Seibu, meanwhile, would recoup Matusazka's salary and then some in the posting process — which would be better than receiving nothing if he returned next season without agreeing to be posted again.

The risk in such a strategy is that Matsuzaka could get hurt. Seibu also might not trust Boras to deliver the posting fee; the agent, who generally prefers his major-league clients to determine their values on the open market, could opt to wait another year for Matsuzaka to become a free agent.

Ah, but Seibu could protect itself, signing Matsuzaka to his expected base salary of approximately $4.5 million, then offering the rest only as a percentage of the posting fee that would come later.

The Red Sox no doubt are skeptical that Boras would go to such extremes; Boras, however, routinely has demonstrated his willingness to hold out amateur draft picks. The stakes with Matsuzaka are much higher — but then, that's true for the Red Sox, too.

Sorry, Matsuzaka is too highly regarded — and too much of a potential boon to the Red Sox's business — to justify paying him, say, a mere $7 million per season.

When the Orix Blue Wave posted Ichiro after the 2000 season, the Mariners paid $13.125 million for his rights, then signed him to a three-year contract at an average salary of $4.67 million.

If Matsuzaka's average salary represented the same percentage of his posting fee, it would be $18.16 million — about the number that Boras probably thinks is fair for the pitcher.

Even the mammoth posting fee can be viewed from another perspective. If, hypothetically, the Red Sox signed Matsuzaka as a major-league free agent, their luxury-tax payment probably would be in the neighborhood of $51.1 million. The posting fee is (beginital)not(endital) subject to the luxury tax, but Boras could equate them as the added costs of acquiring premium talent.

In the end, though, Boras can push only so far. Matsuzaka isn't a J.D. Drew or Alex Rodriguez, trying to play the market for all it's worth. From every indication — except, perhaps, his choice of Boras as agent — Matsuzaka's primary concern is not maxing out economically, but reaching the majors in his prime.

Matsuzaka would hit the jackpot no matter what the Red Sox paid him; one agent suggests that the pitcher could earn $20 million annually in U.S. and Japanese endorsements. In other words, he would be ill-advised to delay his arrival for a single minute.

The deal will happen. It has to happen.

Both Boras and the Red Sox know it.

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ボラスの戦略は旨くいっているのか。

タウンミーティング:174回中15回で「やらせ」 

2006-12-12 18:13:43 | 社会
毎日より抜粋。
政府主催のタウンミーティングで、開催された174回のうち15回で質問内容を事前に示して発言を依頼する「やらせ質問」が行われていたことが12日、内閣府「タウンミーティング調査委員会」の調査でわかった。

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たった15回とは思えない。50回はあるはずだ。

ランダエタ来日「亀田をKOで倒す」

2006-12-12 18:10:40 | 社会
日刊より抜粋。
20日、東京有明コロシアムで行われる再戦への調整は万全だ。ランダエタは「世界中の人が、8月の初戦の判定は正しくないと思っている。今度は勝って、判定が間違っていたことを証明する。必ずKOで倒す」と強気に言い放った。

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早いラウンドでKO勝ちを期待する。亀田を再起不能にして欲しい。

将棋名人戦の共催合意について

2006-12-12 17:14:22 | 将棋
将棋連盟 HPより抜粋。

名人戦共催につきまして毎日新聞社と朝日新聞社が合意されましたことを歓迎いたします。

 先日、日本将棋連盟より提示しました契約金ほか総額についても、おおむね了承されたことに感謝いたしております。
 以上、よろしくお願いいたします。

2006年11月1日
社団法人日本将棋連盟
広報担当理事 西村一義

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読売の記事と全く違うではないか。どうなっているんだ。

松坂UPDATE、USA TODAYの記事 -- D-Mat

2006-12-12 17:12:03 | Weblog
A-Rodに対抗して、D-Matか。デープマットではないか。

Scott Boras, the agent for Daisuke Matsuzaka, said lengthy meetings with Boston Red Sox executives were planned as the parties try to work out a deal with the Japanese pitcher before a Thursday night deadline.
Speaking at his office building some 45 miles south of Los Angeles, Boras wouldn't comment directly on the negotiations, but did say Matsuzaka "is worth well in excess of $100 million." The 26-year-old right-hander didn't join his agent for the news conference.

"In Japan, he's known as the national treasure," Boras told some three dozen media representatives — nearly all representing Japanese outlets. "Here, he will be known as Fort Knox."

Boras said Red Sox principal owner John Henry, team president Larry Lucchino, and general manager Theo Epstein have traveled to Southern California to take part in the negotiations.

A major sticking point is the record $51.1 million bid the Red Sox submitted to the Seibu Lions for Matsuzaka's services. The Red Sox submitted the bid last month, and were given 30 days to sign him.

The deadline is Thursday at midnight (ET), and if no agreement is reached, Matsuzaka returns to the Lions for another season before he can be posted again. If a deal isn't struck, the Red Sox keep their money.

"The posting fee represents the problem," Boras said. "It's historic, it's new, it's something that's never been done. How do you reflect value in a posting fee in an appropriate contract for a player?

"In the American system, no player is asked to reduce their salaries for luxury tax purposes."

Should the parties agree on a contract worth $100 million, for example, the Red Sox would actually be paying $151.1 million because they must pay the entire posting fee to the Lions.

"One thing is clear — D-Mat will someday be a major league player," Boras said. "We have further negotiating to do. The deadline's not here in five minutes. The parties do understand what this player's value is in the free-agent system."

Boras said he planned to meet with the Red Sox executives later Monday night and all day Tuesday.

"The progress is something I'm not going to comment on," he said. "I'm not going to characterize the negotiations. This is not a customary negotiation. The question is, with a posting fee, how do you handle that?"

Boras said the decision whether Matsuzaka will join the Red Sox or return to Japan will be made by his client, who earned MVP honors after pitching Japan to the championship of the inaugural World Baseball Classic last March.

Matsuzaka has a 108-60 career record in Japan with a 2.95 ERA and 1,355 strikeouts in 204 games.

"This decision is going to be Daisuke's, he has to make the call," Boras said.

Boras said Matsuzaka, who flew into Southern California on Saturday, has been throwing and working out for three to four hours a day.

When asked why he called a news conference, Boras smiled and replied: "I think this is the American way."

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30日間をフルに活用するボラスのやり方だと思う。5000万ドルで4年契約と予想。
3年なら、年俸1000万ドル。
4年以上なら、年俸1200万ドル。

ロフトンの年俸は600万ドル

2006-12-12 17:02:08 | MLB
Free agent Kenny Lofton reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers worth about $6 million.

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10年前は一番好きだった選手。600万ドルとは評価が高い。

ロフトンの盗塁と打率推移。
年度 打率 盗塁
1991 .203  2
1992 .285 66 
1993 .325 70
1994 .349 60
1995 .310 54

1996 .317 75
1997 .333 27
1998 .282 54
1999 .301 25
2000 .278 30

2001 .261 16
2002 .261 29
2003 .296 30
2004 .275  7
2005 .335 22
2006 .301 32

去年・今年と盗塁も増え、打率も戻ってきた。通算打率は.2992。

CDオリコン年間ランキングと紅白出場者

2006-12-12 16:43:50 | 芸能
1位 REAL FACE - KAT-TUN 
2位 抱いてセニョリータ - 山下智久
3位 SIGNAL - KAT-TUN 
4位 純恋歌 - 湘南の風
5位 しるし - Mr.Children
6位 タイヨウのうた - 雨音薫
7位 Dear WOMAN - SMAP
8位 箒星 - Mr.Children
9位 4 hot WAVE - 倖田來未
10位 粉雪 - レミオロメン

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紅白出場は、自信がないが、SMAPと倖田來未の2組だけ。こんなもんでしょう。
曲名を見てメロディが浮かぶのは、2位の抱いてセニョリータのみ。全く歌に疎くなった。

名人戦3億7000万円、朝日・毎日が将棋連盟に回答

2006-12-12 16:21:28 | 将棋
読売より抜粋。
両社の提示額は、名人戦契約金が1社1億7000万円の計3億4000万円で、ほかに将棋普及協力金を朝日が2000万円、毎日が1000万円支払うという。

この契約金額は現在の毎日単独主催の3億3400万円より600万円アップするものの、読売新聞社が主催する竜王戦の契約金3億4150万円を下回る。

一方、連盟が10月に提示した額は、2社同額で1社当たり、名人戦契約金が2億円、名人戦振興金が3000万円、将棋普及協力金が1億円の計6億6000万円。金額に開きがあり、連盟側は2社の回答に反発。交渉が続いている。

また、朝日主催の朝日オープン選手権は8000万円、毎日がスポーツニッポン新聞社と共催している王将戦については現状維持の7800万円と、いずれも連盟の要望額で継続する方向で検討していると、連盟側はみている。

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連盟は虫が良すぎる。名人戦契約金のみで、交渉すべきだ。振興金、普及協力金は金をせびっているとしか思えない。
計3億7千万で、今の3億3400万円より、3600万円のアップ。10%も上がって御の字と思う。

松坂UPDATE、SI..comの記事 - クレメンスは松坂次第

2006-12-12 15:57:42 | MLB
This week, millions of Japanese baseball fans will be funneled through a trans-world rumor mill, curiously awaiting word on whether their national pitching treasure, Daisuke Matsuzaka, will play in the United States this season or return home. Meanwhile, millions of fans in Boston, the only place in America that Matsuzaka can play in 2007, will work themselves into an all-out frenzy as the Red Sox near a Thursday midnight deadline to reach a contract agreement with the Japanese right-hander.

Down the Atlantic seaboard, the Yankees and their nation of die-hards will watch the goings-on with a load of interest -- and maybe a little bit of nervousness -- while the people in the Park Avenue offices of Major League Baseball promise to keep a wary eye on the whole, bizarre process.

And somewhere down in Texas, on top of it all, sits William Roger Clemens.

As big as the Matsuzaka story is this week for the Red Sox, for the Yankees, for all of baseball -- for all of Japan -- nobody stands to make more out of it, no matter which way it ends, than the indomitable Rocket. The 44-year-old Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young winner, hasn't even said that he'll pitch again in '07. In fact, nobody, anywhere, would blame him if, after 23 years in the big leagues, he finally retired. If, of course, he actually retired this time.

But with everything going on this winter, with everything happening this week, how can Clemens quit? There's too much to be gained now, too much to be left on the table, for him to give it all up.

Consider the cash-ringing and ring-gaining possibilities:

Clemens could sign with the Red Sox ... especially, of course, if Matsuzaka doesn't. The animosity that once festered between Clemens and his original team is gone now. Clemens has said as much. If Matsuzaka doesn't come to an agreement with the Sox -- and, according to reports out of Boston, the negotiations are at a standstill right now -- the team will have $51.1 million, the posting fee that it paid the Seibu Lions for the right to negotiate with Matsuzaka, refunded. The Sox would almost certainly be in all-out wooing mode for Clemens, right away.

If Matsuzaka signs, a Clemens return to Boston would be a long shot. With Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield, Jonathan Papelbon and Matsuzaka in the rotation, signing Clemens would seem to be the ultimate in luxury.

Not that the Sox aren't into spoiling themselves occasionally. Note that $51.1 million.

Clemens could sign with the Yankees ... especially, of course, if Matsuzaka signs with the Sox.

When Andy Pettitte re-upped with the Yanks last week, at $16 million for 2007 and an option to play in '08 for another $16 million, the thinking was that Pettitte's buddy, Clemens, would soon follow. If D-Mat signs with the Sox this week, the Yankees would almost have to go after Clemens, and hard, just to keep up with their fiercest of rivals. And if Matsuzaka heads back to Japan, the Yankees will undoubtedly go after Clemens anyway, if for no other reason than to keep him away from the Sox.

Either way, the Yankees would figure to be better off signing Clemens. With a rotation of Mike Mussina, Randy Johnson, Pettitte, Chien-Ming Wang and Clemens, they would be instant favorites in the American League East.

Clemens could sign with the Astros ... if the Astros' owner, Drayton McLane, tries harder to keep Clemens than he did Pettitte. The Astros wouldn't go beyond a one-year, $12 million offer for Pettitte for '07, and so they lost him to the Yanks. But the Astros already have shown that they'll stop at almost nothing to sign Clemens. Last year, the team gave Clemens a industry-shaking one-year, $22 million contract and allowed him to begin pitching in June. (Pro-rated, it worked out to more than $12 million.)

How about $25 million for '07? It would end up being less than a quarter of what the Astros are paying Carlos Lee over the next six years. It would give ace Roy Oswalt the help he so badly needs in the otherwise thin Astros' rotation. It would help McLane and the Astros mend relationships with their fans after losing out on Pettitte. And Clemens would keep all the privileges of playing at home -- including, of course, not having to travel with the team on certain trips.

Clemens could listen to all sorts of other offers ... and they will be coming. If the Rangers lose out on Barry Zito -- they've offered the lefty somewhere around $100 million, according to reports -- why not offer their fellow Texan half that for two years? If the Mets lose out on Zito, Clemens could be a nice National League fallback. Everybody has money these days. Everybody's willing to spend it. Heck, the Royals spent $55 million on Gil Meche.

Clemens could, finally, retire ... but that's just not going to happen, is it?

Clemens, for anyone who hasn't noticed, still is one of the best pitchers in the game. He had a 2.30 ERA in 19 starts for the Astros last season, better than anyone in baseball with at least that many starts. Opponents hit just .216 off him. He allowed fewer baserunners per inning than NL Cy Young winner Brandon Webb, Houston's Oswalt, the Cardinals' Chris Carpenter (the 2005 NL Cy Young winner) and any starter on the Red Sox or the Yankees last year.

Clemens already has started another of his almost legendary offseason workouts, according to reports, readying himself for a just-in-case return in 2007. But his agent says it will be January before his client makes his final call on whether he'll pitch again. Until then, we'll all just have to sit and wonder if, when and where he'll pitch again.

This is still Rocket's world, after all.

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後でゆっくり読もう。松坂、クレメンス、ヤンキース、レッドソックス、アストロズ。井川は蚊帳の外。

松坂UPDATE、SI..comの記事 - 代理人ボラスは語る

2006-12-12 15:47:59 | MLB
Scott Boras, the agent for Daisuke Matsuzaka, said lengthy meetings with Boston Red Sox executives were planned as the parties try to work out a deal with the Japanese pitcher before a Thursday night deadline.

Speaking at his office building some 45 miles south of Los Angeles, Boras wouldn't comment directly on the negotiations, but did say Matsuzaka "is worth well in excess of $100 million." The 26-year-old right-hander didn't join his agent for the news conference.

"In Japan, he's known as the national treasure," Boras told some three dozen media representatives -- nearly all representing Japanese outlets. "Here, he will be known as Fort Knox."

Boras said Red Sox principal owner John Henry, team president Larry Lucchino, and general manager Theo Epstein have traveled to Southern California to take part in the negotiations.

A major sticking point is the record $51.11 million bid the Red Sox submitted to the Seibu Lions for Matsuzaka's services. The Red Sox submitted the bid last month, and was given 30 days to sign him.

The deadline is Thursday at midnight (EST), and if no agreement is reached, Matsuzaka returns to the Lions for another season before he can be posted again. If a deal isn't struck, the Red Sox keep their money.

"The posting fee represents the problem," Boras said. "It's historic, it's new, it's something that's never been done. How do you reflect value in a posting fee in an appropriate contract for a player?

"In the American system, no player is asked to reduce their salaries for luxury tax purposes."

Should the parties agree on a contract worth $100 million, for example, the Red Sox would actually be paying $151.11 million because they must pay the entire posting fee to the Lions.

"One thing is clear -- D-Mat will someday be a major league player," Boras said. "We have further negotiating to do. The deadline's not here in five minutes. The parties do understand what this player's value is in the free-agent system."

Boras said he planned to meet with the Red Sox executives later Monday night and all day Tuesday.

"The progress is something I'm not going to comment on," he said. "I'm not going to characterize the negotiations. This is not a customary negotiation. The question is, with a posting fee, how do you handle that?"

Boras said the decision whether Matsuzaka will join the Red Sox or return to Japan will be made by his client, who earned MVP honors after pitching Japan to the championship of the inaugural World Baseball Classic last March.

Matsuzaka has a 108-60 career record in Japan with a 2.95 ERA and 1,355 strikeouts in 204 games.

"This decision is going to be Daisuke's, he has to make the call," Boras said.

Boras said Matsuzaka, who flew into Southern California on Saturday, has been throwing and working out for three to four hours a day.

When asked why he called a news conference, Boras smiled and replied: "I think this is the American way."

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ボラスの真意が不明。