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arm's tired - don't think the Japanese leagues play this many games do they?

Thank God Yanks did not land with this import. He might soon be the "Carl Pavano" of the Sox

They paid to much to get him to begin with. No pitcher is worth that kind of money.

The adjustment to the toughest brand of baseball in the world has been harder than Dice-K thought it was going to be.

He shows more good than bad and he will improve. You can teach everything but talent and it's clear he has plenty of that.

His arm may be a little tired, but he's used to throwing more pitches. That was what set him apart - he was used to throwing way more than the 100 (which I think is ridiculous b/c there are just as many pitching related injuries) that we allow here in the MLB. He claimed that throwing more was actually better for durability.

Maybe he doesn't like Boston. He doesn't have any facial hair. The rest of the team looks like a bunch of homeless men. Manny looks ridiculous. Thank God Pedro left b/c I couldn't stand those jerry curls - he looked like Rick James. Why is it that everyone on Boston has to grow something on their face? Its like a bunch of adolescent boys trying to one up each other.

Dice-K 2007 = Beckett 2006.
Anyone feel like reviewing Beckett's 2007 stats?

I don't think the majority of Asian pitchers can come over to the Majors and be overly dominant. Maybe good to very good but not doiminant. This may be MLB bias but Ithink the MLB is a dfifernt style of play than Asian ball. Their are close and maybe will be closer in the future but I just see the game in the Majors as being much more intense and much more grueling and grinding.
I think Matsuzaka will be exactly ahat he was projected to be in the Majors: A #3 or a #4 starter. He just isn't going to be that guy like Beckett or Santana.

Francona = Terrible Manager.

If all this guy gets is 1 ring with that lineup and that amount of cash spent, his legacy is that his managing to the 1 series ring was a fluke.

And he played a minimal role.

Not acceptable.

Very gauche.

I dont think characterizing this guy as the 'next Carl Pavano' is accurate at all.

Differences? People like Dice-K. Also, he actually pitched this year. Oh, and he's technically a rookie. They threw a rookie to the wolves this year and they shouldnt be shocked.

Can we keep in mind that the contract he got is a premium that is part of these Japan - U.S. transactions? Its almost not about the player anymore. Its a bigger deal than that. He is the best pitcher out of Japan since Nomo - and everyone thought he was the ish and he crapped the bed.

I don't think characterizing ANYBODY as the next Carl Pavano is rellay accurate or fair! Pavano was and is all about the quit in the player that no one should want to emulate.
Sorry for the harshness but Pavano really leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I just don't think he took his major league career very seriously.

is a rookie and his playing in boston bean town there is going to be alot of pressure on him, since they payed him so much money i think he will turn it around and if he gets another shot hell shows us why they signed him

The pressure got to him. He is a bust so far. He did not have a good regular season (his ERA was 4.40). If you are going to pay a guy that amount of money his ERA better be under 3.00 and he should be able to perform well in a big game. He does have the skills to turn it around - maybe next year?

Maybe Dice-K will follow in Beckett footstep .Beckett took one year to get use to pitching in Boston maybe Dice-k need the same thing .

He did pretty well the first half or so. There is no reason to believe that he can not figure out a way to extend that next season.
It does go to show though, that according to th media and some fans, you are only as good as your last start.
He seems to be a good solid pitcher who needs to adjust his routine for a longer season.

He'll be better next year. You can see the potential when he pitches but hes a rookie. Its going to take time to adjust to facing the best players in the world.

do people forget that regardless of years in Japan, the guy is still a rookie? his troubles this year have been the same as any rookie coming out of AAA: he tried to get away with things he could do in Japan but can't do here in the Majors. he will be fine next year after the adjustment this year. he defintely has the stuff to garner ace status but i don't know if he will, Josh Beckett aside.

the money is another issue altogether. yes, the Red Sox paid an incredible amount to get Dice-K but in reality, he is essentially an investment. the money he brings in from the Japanese market is definitely substantial. this was a great investment for the Red Sox, much like Hideki Matsui has been for the Yankees.