6/23: Penny might be hanging around after all.

Daisuke worth $103 million?

Bob Ryan wrote an article, and Rob Neyer blogged about it. And now I am blogging about it.

The article suggests that Daisuke Matsuzaka has not been worth the money. It is hard to argue with that early-drawn conclusion.
But a few things…
1) There are still three more seasons on the contract. And although it doesn’t look too good right now, it may get better. Things must play out before a definite conclusion can be drawn.
2) Matsuzaka has pitched fairly well thus far in his Major League Baseball career. Sure, there may be some luck involved there. But close to league-average in 2007, very good in 08,’ and then poor in only a few starts this season is well worth the base salary that Matsuzaka earns.

Pedroia lacking power.

Dustin Pedroia is a pesky little player, filled with talent. Not so obvious to scouts as he arose from what seemed like death, in terms of what those scouts thought of his baseball career. But now his “hand/eye coordination” is being noticed, as Keith Law stated recently in an E:60 interview in regards to Pedroia.

But Pedroia hasn’t hit for the same kind of power lately. His On Base Percentage is actually a percentage point higher than his Slugging.