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by Tony Catinella
Exchange Staff

    The Red Sox got an early Christmas present Wednesday, signing Japanese superstar pitcher, Daisuke Matsuzaka to a six year, $52 million contract.

     The signing has been more popular to Boston fans than the active play of the Patriots, Celtics , and Bruins combined. Fans and media tracked down Matsuzaka's plane on Wednesday as it flew halfway across the world from Japan to America.  Thousands of fans fled to Mass General Hospital in Boston Thursday, just because Matsuzaka was receiving a physical.  In one week Matsuzaka is getting Bobby Orr and Larry Bird treatment, and this guy has never even played a single major league game.

     This is the most publicized and popular acquisition since Curt Schilling signed with the Sox before the 2004 season.  Schilling was the added puzzle piece to the Sox clubhouse who led that historic team to their first World Series in 86 years.  Can Matsuzaka do the same as Schilling and lead this team back to the World Series?

     Anything but a World Series for the Sox this season is a disappointment.  The team has spent $216.35 million this off season after finishing third in the AL East behind the Yankees and Blue Jays.  The Red Sox pitching staff was awful last season after suffering injuries and health problems from starters Tim Wakefield, Matt Clement, and Jon Lester.  Their team E.R.A in 2006 was even worse than the Devil Rays and Orioles.

     Now the Sox pitching staff is the best  Red Sox fans have ever seen it.  With the acquisition of D-Mats, the return of Wakefield, and the transformation of Papelbon to starter, there is very little weakness.  On paper the Sox starting rotation is: Schilling, Matsuzaka, Beckett, Papelbon, and Wakefield.  The staff is so deep that Jon Lester and Matt Clement may see time in the bullpen.

     This off season the Red Sox front office have bid $51.1 million to Japan for the rights to Matsuzaka, and have signed him for $52million.  They have also signed outfielder J.D Drew for $70million over five years, shortstop Julio Lugo for $36 million over four years, Alex Cora for $4 million over two years, relief pitcher Hideki Okajima for $2.5million over two years, and Catcher Doug Mirabelli for $750,000 for one season.

     No wonder Red Sox tickets cost more than any other team.

     The lineup is also evenly balanced.  It is mixed with power and speed and could easily match up with the Yankees lineup.

Potential 2007 lineup

SS- Lugo
1B- Youkallis
DH- Ortiz
LF- Ramirez
RF- Drew
3B- Lowell
C- Varitek
2B- Cora/Pedroia
CF- Crisp

     With all the money the Red Sox have spent this off season,  they have no excuses to not getting back to the fall classic.