My Thoughts on a Man Called Dice-K

Despite my love of the Yankees, there is one positive thing about all the attention given to Boston’s 100 million dollar, Daisuke Matsuzaka. That’s because even though I am a Yankee fan first, I am a baseball fan second. Being a baseball fan, I’m like most (except fans out west and others) because I am sick of hearing about Barry Bonds and the steroid issue. During the preseason, I want to hear about pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training. However, the words I usually hear are ones like Bonds, steroids, and what Bud Selig did and didn’t do, not to mention the home run record.

However, this year has been a little different. Bonds has been mentioned, as well as where Hank Aaron won’t be when Barry breaks the prestigious record. But some of the attention has been shifted to the outbursts of some managers, and most of all to Matsuzaka Mania. It’s about time baseball talk should be positive not negative. “Dice-K” is a mystery with several pitches, namely the Gyro ball. From what I have read, the pitch is like a four seam grip, but thrown like a screwball causing movement like a slider.

Figuring this is a fantasy baseball column; I have to stay true to its name and talk about the fantasy side. As a Matsuzaka owner, you must love the hype surrounding him, or should I say Matsuzaka Mania. Because of this hype and potential, his value is a bit inflated. The fact that no one knows how good he is going to be in America, makes him fantasy gold because people are willing to take a risk and trade for him because of a possibility for a big reward. Translation: He is a great sell high candidate. Some advice I learned from the Fantasy Man is to know your league mates. How cool would it be for a Boston fan to have Dice-K on his fantasy team if he has a great year? But after Sheffield started off slow and Kendrick missed months, you were glad to get Bobby Abreu and B.J. Upton in the trade. You think you’ll get much from the team named Bronx Bombers? The fan from Boston is going to get him at almost any cost and will overpay.

Last year, I made a great move. Only a few scoreless ninths and some strikeout potential made this closer convince me. He impressed me enough that by the 2nd week I had to have the guy… Jonathon Papelbon that is. After awhile, the Boston fan in my league realized him. He wanted Papelbon and begged for him and I used his liking of Boston as leverage. I’m not saying to trade Matsuzaka because that could make me look bad, but see what kind of offers you get. Like I said, the Boston fan will probably overpay, which could help fill a hole from an injury. It looks like Dice-K’s next five starts will be against the Yanks, Mariners, Blue Jays, Tigers, and Braves. (All can score and hit home runs) And if runners are on base, Matsuzaka’s era is 8.71; proof that he has trouble from the stretch. His next start is in New York, where hitters can draw several walks and cause a shaky start. Now may be the time to get full value.