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It’s not far-fetched to envision Daisuke Matsuzaka waving goodbye to Boston after three years.
(Jim Davis/Globe Staff ) |
On baseball
A meeting of the minds?
Sox, Matsuzaka might finally be on the same page
After being excluded from the American League Division Series rotation, it might be easy to conclude there’s a great deal of frustration on both sides and perhaps the Daisuke Matsuzaka-Red Sox marriage should end this offseason. But while that appeared to be the sentiment for a long time in 2009, there actually is a pretty good relationship developing, according to a source close to the situation.
“I think there’s a feeling that it’s going to work out,’’ said the source. “I think they’re finally on the same page. Took a long time, but I think the two cultures have finally converged and there’s good feeling again.’’
If you heard general manager Theo Epstein’s comments the other day, they could be interpreted as an ultimatum - show up in shape or else. There’s no doubt the Red Sox need to see that from
Sometimes you just agree to disagree on how things should be done. In Dice-K’s case, if you’ve done it one way your entire career and it has worked, why wouldn’t you be resistant to change? And if you’re a team like the Red Sox that has a very good medical staff and a tried-and-true shoulder program for its pitchers, why wouldn’t they want everyone to benefit, particularly a player they are paying $28 million over the next three years?
The optimism stems from the fact that late in the season Matsuzaka got with the program, slimmed down, strengthened his shoulder, and pitched well.
Japanese media felt being left out of the rotation had to be a slap in the face to him. The Red Sox were willing to go with Jon Lester on three days’ rest in Game 4 of against the Angels rather than use Matsuzaka under any circumstances. But apparently there’s no ill-will.
For the moment there have been no orders from Matsuzaka or his agent, Scott Boras, to seek a trade.
Matsuzaka has been an emotional issue for the Red Sox all season, and with good reason.
The Sox paid a $51 million posting fee just for his rights, then gave him a pretty competitive contract. One can understand some of the reasons for sitting Matsuzaka against the Angels - he puts people on base and the last thing the Sox wanted was Angels running all over the place. But judging by comments from the Japanese media, Matsuzaka wasn’t happy about it.
If the Sox were to consider a trade, the 29-year-old righthander shouldn’t be hard to deal if he waived a no-trade clause. The Mariners, Dodgers, and Mets seemingly would be interested, but what the Sox would get in return might be an issue.
The Sox obviously loved Matsuzaka when they scouted him and landed him. And, really, it was a good signing. Racking up 33 wins over two years, no matter how messy and harrowing they were, is still an impressive feat. But if he feels disrespected or simply uncomfortable with Boston’s ways, what’s the point?
“There’s no question there’s a difference in cultures,’’ said former A’s and Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson. “It was a real eye-opener for me when I coached the MLB All-Stars in Japan that I saw their workout rooms and the equipment was archaic. It seems to me they overtrain on the skill issues and undertrain the body. You condition to perform, not perform to condition.
“There’s also a big difference in the way they pitch. They pitch an off-speed game, trying to trick you, rather than a power game. They don’t attack the zone. So it’s a very tough thing to change the thinking to the way we think of pitching in the States. It’s very important they be taught the importance of strengthening the rotator cuff.’’
The Sox have tried to recondition Matsuzaka into buying into the strength aspect of the job. They know how much he likes to throw and have not tried to take that away from him. In games, they will let him get into the low 100s in pitch counts, but if he’s putting a lot of people on base, that usually comes around the sixth inning.
Baseball people are mixed about how easy it would be to trade Matsuzaka.
Some believe he’s more than worth the gamble if you don’t give up a lot and if the Sox pick up some of the contract.
One general manager said, “Because everybody needs pitching, a pitcher of his caliber and skill and experience would be valuable. There are pitchers with lesser skill earning a lot more than he is and he’s still at a prime age.
“I would think Boston would want to do everything they could to get him to conform to their way of doing things. We all knew of his exploits in Japan, and there aren’t too many teams who wouldn’t have wanted to sign him if the posting fee was reasonable. And then he went out and had a couple of good years.’’
Epstein and his staff have a lot to figure out in the offseason. The rotation will have three spots etched in stone with Lester, Josh Beckett, and Clay Buchholz. Epstein said he wants Wakefield back, though it’s hard to envision him lasting a full season.
Michael Bowden would be a logical candidate to compete for a spot, and there’s always the possibility that the Sox acquire a starter in free agency or via trade.
There are a bunch of rehab pitchers who could be intriguing: Brandon Webb, if the Diamondbacks don’t pick up his option; Tim Hudson, if the Braves don’t pick up his; Chien-Ming Wang, if the Yankees non-tender him. The Sox could take a gamble on Mark Mulder or Ben Sheets. Even though John Smoltz and Brad Penny didn’t work out, it doesn’t mean the next batch won’t.
While Matsuzaka’s departure might have been a foregone conclusion at one point, he now seems to be back in good graces. This offseason, it’s up to him to make sure that continues.
Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com. 
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
