Numerous sources report that Daisuke Matsuzaka (Dice-K) has been put on waivers by the Boston Red Sox. Dice-K offered a quality start on Monday and on Tuesday Boston waived him. This may sound unusual but for a team that is out of contention like the Red Sox, placing quality players like Matsuzaka who may have a lot to offer but have been on a rocky road makes sense. Boston can test the marketplace and still keep the righty. They can also let a team take him and his salary or engineer a trade. What teams might want him? Here are a few.
In the NL Central, the Pittsburgh Pirates can use some help on the mound. Despite the fact that they are in third in the AL Central, they are just two games out of the Wild Card. Number one starter Erik Bedard has had some bad games lately, often going less than 5 innings. In his last 10 games he’s 3-7. The end of the starting rotation is scary.
The Washington Nationals are said to be interested in Dice-K. Why? Well one reason is that although Stephen Strasburg has been great he just lost to the Miami Marlins 9-0, giving up 7 runs on 9 hits in 5 innings. He’s also had some other dicey starts. The NL East Nationals may need some extra help to make it into the postseason.
In the AL, the Baltimore Orioles have allowed a lot of runs and they may be in the neighborhood for some help to ensure a Wild Card spot. However would they pay the cash to do so? That’s always a question for these birds. By the way, the Orioles are less than four behind the New York Yankees for first in the AL East. A little extra quality pitching on the mound may be a big aid.
In the AL Central, the Detroit Tigers certainly need help. Once you get by the number one starter, Justin Verlander, and the number two, Max Scherzer, there’s not much dependability. Detroit is 1.5 games out of first and the Wild Card. Some quality mound work is needed as the season winds down.
Dice-K could be a bargain with just $2 million left in his contract for this year. He’s in his final year of a six-year, $52 million contract. Two or three extra wins for some of these teams could mean the difference between a postseason berth and playing golf. Daisuke Matsuzaka might just give them those wins. What the Red Sox may want for him, if anything, is anyone’s guess.
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