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December 14, 2006

Red Sox: Matsuzaka signing a done deal

BOSTON -- Daisuke Matsuzaka’s $52-million, six-year contract was announced this afternoon by the Boston Red Sox, who hope he will follow Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez as an ace on the Fenway Park mound.

Add the team’s winning $51.11 million bid for negotiating rights to the Japanese ace, which must be paid to the Seibu Lions by Dec. 21, and Boston’s investment comes to $103.11 million. That doesn’t include $8 million in escalators based on Matsuzaka winning awards.

And there’s still at least four months to go before he throws his first pitch in the regular season.

“Today what we’re really doing is announcing the signing of a national treasure,” general manager Theo Epstein said. “We understand his importance in Japan. We know what he represents.

“To the fans in Japan, we pledge to do everything we can to support Daisuke ... and to ensure that he’ll be a success. Not that he needs much help,” Epstein said.

Daisuke was then handed a jersey with the No. 18 — the one last worn by Johnny Damon.

“I’m very happy and excited to be a member of the Boston Red Sox,” he said through a translator.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 5:36 PM | Permalink

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mike h | December 14, 2006 6:28 PM link

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