$51.1 Million for Matsuzaka

Well, one pitcher won't really make that big of difference. The Red Sox still have holes to fill at SS, RF, and speed guy who can steal base because Coco Crisp is about the only guy on the team who can run.

The Red Sox simply overpaid in the process, just to block him away from the Yankees. I'm not sure if they announce who bids the second most, but I'm sure the Red Sox outbid them by as least $15 million.

Apparently here's what other teams bid:

"The Mets finished second with a bid between $39 million and $40 million, according to a baseball official who spoke on condition of anonymity because none of the losing bids were revealed. The Yankees bid between $32 million and $33 million, another baseball official said." [ESPN Article]

Over the course of a season, starting pitchers do contribute as much as a position player, generally speaking. That's because starting pitchers largely decide the outcome of the game (at least good ones give the teams a chance to win every five days, and that's significant).

- Well, one pitcher won't really make that big of difference. The Red Sox still have holes to fill at SS, RF, and speed guy who can steal base because Coco Crisp is about the only guy on the team who can run.

Except it is the right start. There is Schilling, Beckett should rebound, Wakefield will be back, and Papelbon will be in the rotation. Overall, that's a pretty good rotation.

Second, Boston is nowhere near done spending money on the holes they have. They have already begun talking about Julio Lugo and J.D. Drew to fill those holes mentioned above.

Third, since when has Boston ever stolen bases? They stole a grand total of 51 bases this year. [2006 Boston Red Sox Player Statistics - Baseball-Reference] Can't you tell something is up when Chone Figgins, Jose Reyes, Juan Pierre, and Carl Crawford have more steals than the entire Red Sox team? Boston doesn't run, that's not how their offense is built. They haven't stole 100 bases or more since 1974. It just isn't what they are built around.

- The Red Sox simply overpaid in the process, just to block him away from the Yankees.

The question is, would your response be the same if the Yankees did it? Plus, Boston didn't do anything illegal, it doesn't say you can't bid $51.1 million for a player. To turn around and say otherwise is cynical and a double standard.

It's funny how the BoSox went all Price is Right on the posting process with the $51,111,111.11 bid. What made them worried about another team bidding $51.10M?