[EmpireWF]

The Seibu Lions (Matsuzaka's Japanese team) officially posted the young starter as he will be coming to the Majors next year. That means each major league team can offer bids for the right to negotiate with him. The bids are due Wednesday. The Lions wouldn't know which MLB team offered the most money but will have the right to accept or decline the offer.

According to theBoston.Com Sports Story, we should find out which team is negotiating with Matsuzaka by mid-November.

The Mariners officially took themselves out of the sweepstakes. Teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, and various west-coast squads are likely to be involved.

[EmpireWF]

From various sources, it appears 7 teams have placed bids on the rights to negotiate with Matsuzaka.

The Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Cubs, Rangers, Indians and Diamondbacks. Now nobody knows who won the bidding but you'll hear rumors from every which way.

[MVB]

Well, if it comes down to money ( over contract length and location), then the Yankees probably won.

[firefrozen]

I am pretty sure that this is just a bid to be payed to the lions to determine who will be given the first oppurtunity to negotiate with him.
As far as i know no one has been publicly discussing possible contracts.

[EmpireWF]

The bidding is done to determine who will be granted the right to negotiate directly with Matsuzaka. Only one team will be able to and I think they have 30 days to do it in.

[EmpireWF]

The Seibu Lions were informed of the top bid yesterday and are expected to let it be known who offered it today. They could wait but I've read where they will likely send out that info today.

It could be Texas, the Yankees or anybody at this point.

[MJHMarc]

I think that the Yankees will go after him the most during the off-season, even though they might look into bringing Roger Clemens and Andy Pettite back to New York. Note:The Yankees are restructuring Mike Mussina's contract.

[EmpireWF]

Well the rumors say Boston posted the high bid between $35-$45 Million. This hasn't been confirmed by the Seibu Lions yet so make of it what you will.

[EmpireWF]

Check out the thread in the Boston Red Sox forum...it's confirmed they bid the highest.

[MJHMarc]

My Prediction:

This will add to the tension between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.