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SI report: Sox, Matsuzaka make 6-year, $52M deal

The Boston Red Sox and Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka agreed on a six-year, $52 million contract today, according to a report on Sports Illustrated's Web site.

The contract might be worth as much as $60 million based on escalator clauses, Sports Illustrated said, citing a person close to the negotiations.

Matsuzaka, agent Scott Boras, and Red Sox officials are on a plane heading back to Boston from California where they negotiated the deal.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press cites an official with knowledge of the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made, as saying, "You should assume a deal is close or done."

The clock has beenwas ticking toward a midnight Thursday deadline for Matsuzaka to sign.

-- With reports from Bloomberg

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 5:27 PM | Permalink

Matsuzaka, Sox officials on plane to Boston

BOSTON — Daisuke Matsuzaka headed to Boston today with Red Sox officials, a sign Boston had reached a preliminary contract agreement with the star pitcher.

“They all took off together,” Red Sox owner John Henry said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Team president Larry Lucchino said shortly after noon that the plane was leaving California.

In prior days, agent Scott Boras had said he would not allow Matsuzaka to travel to Boston for a physical unless the sides had reached a preliminary agreement.
Boston officials flew to Newport Beach, Calif., on Monday on Henry’s plane and said they would return Wednesday with or without Matsuzaka.

The team and Matsuzaka have a midnight Thursday deadline to reach an agreement.

-- The Associated Press

Boston officials flew to Newport Beach, Calif., on Monday on Henry's plane and said they would return Wednesday with or without Matsuzaka. The team and Matsuzaka have a midnight Thursday EST deadline to reach an agreement.

The Red Sox called a news conference for Wednesday afternoon to introduce shortstop Julio Lugo, who agreed to a four-year, $36 million deal last week. With the top Red Sox brass still en route, manager Terry Francona and assistant GM Jed Hoyer were to attend that event.

Boston bid $51.1 million last month for the right to negotiate with Matsuzaka. The Red Sox will pay that money to his Japanese team, the Seibu Lions, only if an agreement is reached.

If there is no deal, Matsuzaka's rights remain with the Lions and he cannot be offered to major league teams again until next November. He is not eligible to become a free agent in Japan until after the 2008 season.

Posted by Jack Perry  at 12:55 PM | Permalink