New details have emerged about the Matsuzaka negotiations, which culminated yesterday with a media throng from two nations (numbering around 300) and one notable spectator (Mayor Thomas M. Menino) witnessing the announcement that Matsuzaka had signed with the Sox. Matsuzaka, who received the final results of his physical late in the morning, put his signature on a six-year, $52 million contract yesterday afternoon that included additional benefits that addressed his concerns about him and his family making as smooth a transition as possible into a new culture.
"There were certainly a lot of ups and downs as far as the negotiations," Epstein said at the press conference, during which Matsuzaka, whose visage was already up on the Fenway Park video scoreboard yesterday, held up a Red Sox jersey bearing his No. 18, a number often given to an ace pitcher in Japan, but in Boston had previously been worn by fan favorite Johnny Damon. "But I think all the parties had a common goal -- just for Daisuke to join the Red Sox and start his major league career."
That common purpose was not so apparent early Wednesday morning, when Epstein and Lucchino had headed to John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, Calif., joined by chairman Tom Werner, believing they were returning to Boston without Matsuzaka on board Henry's plane, according to a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations.
Epstein had gone back and forth with agent Scott Boras until just before dawn Wednesday without reaching an agreement. Epstein, whose opening offer to Boras had been for six years and $36 million, had been sent with Lucchino to southern California to present an improved offer of $48 million for six years, which had been summarily rejected by Boras, who had talked in terms of a six-year deal in the $90 million range. That was Monday night.
On Tuesday, Epstein and Lucchino made their final offer of $52 million for six years. Boras countered with an offer of around $66 million for six years, or a four-year deal.
The Sox held firm and told Boras if Matsuzaka was not on the plane by 9, there would be no deal. At 7:30 a.m., having already checked out of their hotel, Epstein called Boras and repeated his terms; Boras said no.
