Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal

« Chafee meets Whitehouse today to pass torch | Today | Common Cause endowment fund honors West »

December 13, 2006

Japanese pitcher 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 Steve Peoples at 12:55 PM | Permalink

December 13, 2006

Japanese pitcher on plane to Boston

Comments

Post a comment