I don't think he's actually been signed yet. The $42 million was just for what club would get to talk to him about signing.

Yeah. Still, roll on laughing floor with yankee dollar.

Yeah it is a pretty ridiculous amount of money to just talk.

Certainly can bankroll the Sangamuchi-san Tigers for a bit (or whatever the hell they 're called).

If Theo backs out will it be considered negotiating in bad faith and we'll get a big shame scandal?

Cause god knows we don't want to piss off the Japanese baseball terrorists.

Well if they don't agree to a contract, they don't have to pay the $42M. So it's not paying to talk with him. Moreover, this closes the window for Matsuzaka's negotiating with any MLB team for the '07 season. If they don't agree to a contract, the Sox don't have to pay the bid and any competing teams will have to wait another season until DM's available again.

The winter meetings rumor mill was that the Sox really weren't that interested in actually signing Matsuzaka. That the enormously high bid was intended to just block the yankees from signing him. Pretty smart, but lame. Of course, that may also just be BS to strengthen their negotiating position.

Seibu Lions are gonna use the cash on blow and Jessica Simpson dolls.

The AP is now reporting Seibu has accepted Boston's bid offer.

For 51.1 million frickin' dollars.

Beckett, Matsuzaka, and Papelbon. That's a brokerage firm isn't it?

redacted: this is Japan, after all... they like 'em young....

this better not be the guy that went pee pee in the coke

See "Park, Chan Ho."

Korean.

But, yes, FT, they all do look alike.

Next we sign Kahn Souphanousinphone.

Just referring to the practice of overpaying Asian pitchers. No specific nationality implied.