As the deadline (Dec. 14) approaches for the Boston Red Sox to sign posted Seibu Lions Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, let me clarify -- once and for all -- one key point seemingly misunderstood by many.
Should the Boston Red Sox fail to reach agreement on a contract with Matsuzaka, and he reverts to the Seibu Lions for 2007, he cannot file for free agency until after the 2008 season. He could, once again, be posted for major-league service following the 2007 campaign.
Various news reports published in Japan and North America have indicated this is Seibu's last chance to collect a huge posting fee (in this case more than $51 million), because Matsuzaka would become a free agent in November next year. Not true.