Matsuzaka Signs
The past month has taught us a great deal about the differences between American and Japanese baseball, and perhaps more. Earlier this week, Daisuke Matsuzaka returned to Japan after signing a six-year $52 million contract. Add that on to the nearly equal amount that the Red Sox paid simply for the right to negotiate with the pitcher and we see that the Sox have invested well over $100 million for this player who has never played in the Major Leagues. Although Matsuzaka himself will not be among the highest paid players in the league, he is certainly one of the most expensive.
Matsuzaka was surprised at the whole process of having a professional agent conduct the negotiation procedures. Japanese players typically negotiate directly with the team owners. Even in European Football, teams pay one another for players rather than players dictating the terms through free agency and expensive agents. Perhaps it is just another example of individualism at work in America.
Also, I previously mentioned that Ichiro makes $6 million a year. Although that was his original contract, once he had proved himself beyond a doubt, his next (and current) contract was set to the tune of $12.5 million per year.
So which is better? A culture of competition driven by individual power and motivation of collective mentality? Contract disputes between players' unions and owners have resulted in the cancellation of at least three seasons of major professional sports in the past 15 years. Perhaps someone can fill me in on whether this sort of thing, lockouts and strikes take place in other countries.
One thing is for sure. Over the past decade or so, we have learned that we were improperly lead to believe that the Japanese Major League was something of the order of AAA baseball. Not only has it been shown that it is a far better league than previously thought to be, the players are also beginning to learn to demand more as a result. $103.5 million later, we look forward to see if that holds true under pressure - the highest form of pressure in America - financial.
Matsuzaka was surprised at the whole process of having a professional agent conduct the negotiation procedures. Japanese players typically negotiate directly with the team owners. Even in European Football, teams pay one another for players rather than players dictating the terms through free agency and expensive agents. Perhaps it is just another example of individualism at work in America.
Also, I previously mentioned that Ichiro makes $6 million a year. Although that was his original contract, once he had proved himself beyond a doubt, his next (and current) contract was set to the tune of $12.5 million per year.
So which is better? A culture of competition driven by individual power and motivation of collective mentality? Contract disputes between players' unions and owners have resulted in the cancellation of at least three seasons of major professional sports in the past 15 years. Perhaps someone can fill me in on whether this sort of thing, lockouts and strikes take place in other countries.
One thing is for sure. Over the past decade or so, we have learned that we were improperly lead to believe that the Japanese Major League was something of the order of AAA baseball. Not only has it been shown that it is a far better league than previously thought to be, the players are also beginning to learn to demand more as a result. $103.5 million later, we look forward to see if that holds true under pressure - the highest form of pressure in America - financial.
posted by mrcyriac at 10:45 PM
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