Would you pay $51.1 million for the opportunity to talk with a star pitcher?

It's a tough question, obviously no other team was willing to spend as much.

What's really striking is that it exceeds the value placed on the rest of the rotation. Schilling is due somewhere around $13 million, Beckett somewhere around $6 million, Papelbon is a cheap $335,000 and Wakefield is around $4 million. Grand total: $23.335 million and some change.

Add a deal probably worth $12 million-a-year to Matsuzaka and that $51.1 million becomes over $87 million.

Let's just say Matsuzaka signs a three-year deal. That's in essence $30 million a year, making Roger Clemens and his seven Cy Youngs and one MVP look like a bargain.

For $60 million, the Sox could have offered deals to Jason Schmidt, Barry Zito, Carlos Lee, J.D. Drew and Julio Lugo putting them in wonderful position for the future and most certainly for 2007. Heck, they could come close to that on $30 million.

Matsuzaka is only 26, though he has pitched many old-school innings. It has been rumored that he throws 200 pitches a day before his start to build up strength - old school indeed. (In fact, it will be interesting to see how Matsuzaka adjusts to a different mindset and schedule.)

The Sox will undoubtedly change his habits, in order to add longevity to their investment.

Matsuzaka tosses some pretty good heat. He is the premiere free agent on the market - better than any other pitcher (no offense to Jason Schmidt and Barry Zito) He has great command; throws a splitter, changeup and slider. He has a WBC MVP Award undr his belt with a championship to boot that he earned beating Cuba in the finals. Impressively I may add. And I'll remind you that he is only 26.

Some believe Matsuzaka may end up on the trading block. Don't hold your breath.

Matsuzaka is a national hero in Japan. With that kind of clout and an open international market, the Sox may have ended up getting out of it fairly cheaply.

Think of all the Red Sox jerseys, Boston could sell in Japan with Matsuzaka's name sewn on the back. Think about how many "B"'s will be seen on the streets of Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama. Think about future stars yearning for the chance to "be like Matsuzaka." Who could put a monetary value on that?

The Sox are looking at a much bigger picture than whether or not the team wins. They are trying to make money.

The Red Sox are already one of the biggest movers in merchandise in the game. It's not called Red Sox Nation for nothing. Now they have expanded that national concept to a more global one.

They'll be more signings from that region of the world, much like there were from Dominican Republic before. And, I'm sure they are seriously watching the Cuban situation, should any opportunities arise.

Considering that today's children are less likely to play baseball (at least in the U.S) it is only natural that teams like the Sox have to look elsewhere in order to be successful.

Major League Baseball as a whole is looking to add a whole new chapter to its history. The World Baseball Classic - nah, its the World Baseball Market.

As a person who understands a little about business marketing this is an ingenious move by the Red Sox organization.

But as a Red Sox fan who can't afford to take his family to Fenway, it's tough to swallow.

The Sox would be wise not to forget their local, loyal fan base as they think and act globally.

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