(or is "pretty good" the best that can be expected of ANY pitcher after so many innings?)

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2692964

These next few days will be very interesting.

It's all a game. The Sox can't afford NOT to sign DM, Boras can NOT afford (I don't mean financially) to lose this deal, and the loss of face would be brutal for all involved, especially DM.

This is the 'how close to the middle do we go' dance. Boras will settle for 4/50, the Sox are shooting for 4/42 or 5/50. I say it comes in around 4/45 or 5/52.

Even at 4/42, that would be 93m for 4 years, or 23m/yr. At 5/50, that would be 101m for 5 years, or 20m/yr. Too much, in my opinion, any way it goes.

I would love for the Sox to blow this, but I can't believe anyone, especially Bud/MLB will let this fall through.

"Attempts to reach Matsuzaka's agent, Scott Boras, were unsuccessful. The source blamed Boras for a lack of interest in the negotiations."

Only the Sox would make such a claim and only if they wanted to force Boras' hand or create a media image that Boras is the stalling part of this.

http://tinyurl.com/yb9aoy

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The Yankees' trade of Gary Sheffield to the Tigers actually influenced what the Red Sox were asking teams in return for Manny Ramirez. Boston officials were impressed with the Yankee haul of a top starting prospect (Humberto Sanchez) and two strong relief prospects (Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett).

Boston told clubs interested in its righty slugger that Ramirez was younger and more productive than Sheffield, and no more disruptive than Sheffield. Hence the Red Sox expected more than the Yanks received for Sheffield, paying particular attention to young closer types such as Los Angeles' Jonathan Broxton and Seattle's J.J. Putz.
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