Dice-K The Next Carl Pavano?
by Scooter on 03/30/2010 in MLB News, Red Sox Blogs
Daisuke Matsuzaka aka Dice-K could be a bust for the Red Sox just like Carl Pavano was for the Yankees. Dice-K was an 18 game winner in 2008, but he had a horrible 2009 campaign due to injury. If he can’t get back to form in 2010 that would be two consecutive years he could not perform.
So far this spring, he has been delayed by back and neck problems. These are the type of nagging injuries that could haunt him all year.
Dice-K throws way too many pitches. Even when he was good, it seamed like every batter worked the count full. He also has a problem holding runners. He did nothing last year and this year it appears to be “Ground-Hog Day” all over again.
Last year, Red Sox manager Terry Francona stated that Matsuzaka was placed on the DL due to “weakness” in his throwing arm possibly caused by the extensive pitching he did in the World Baseball Classic. This year there’s no excuse and if his arm strength is not back by the end of April, it could be another year back on the DL.
On November 14, the Boston Red Sox won the bidding rights to Matsuzaka with a bid of $51 million, outbidding the Texas Rangers, New York Mets, and New York Yankees. The Red Sox also paid $53 million over 6 years on top of the $51 million.
That is a lot of money for a guy who so far pitched one year and is entering his third year with back and neck problems.
Peter
Mar 30th, 2010
I think he’ll be back & get at least 10 wins in 2010, but that’s NOT what they’ve paid him to get!
With that being said, how much do you value the Japanese revenue flow that having him on the team has produced which was non-existent before he signed? That might have nullified the $51M.
Does anyone have those numbers? Where can we find that out?
Commish
Mar 30th, 2010
Peter,
This time 10 is not enough. Thanks for the comment!
Tech Tips
Apr 2nd, 2010
One of the more interesting facets of the Dice K saga is when Red Sox fans talk disparagingly about how much money the Yankees spend. They all seem to have a case on amnesia about the $100M + that was spent on Dice K.
As much as I dislike the Red Sox I can feel a small amount of sympathy about Dice K after what the Yanks went through with Pavano. What a train wreck…
.-= Tech Tips´s last blog ..Changing Yahoo Search Settings =-.
Commish
Apr 2nd, 2010
Mike,
You are so right. They have short term memory I guess.