Gerald Green for closer?

With the signings of J.D. Drew and Julio Lugo, the Sox need only sign Dice-K, find a closer and a back-up catcher. We'll get to all of those in posts today, and as I've made my choice for closer (hint - he leads the NBA in 3-point shooting) we'll take Daisuke Matsuzaka first.

The Sox have a week until their signing window closes, and I think it's only a matter of time.

On the conspiracy theory front: Scott Boras recalled Major League Baseball’s recent reminder that side deals between ballclubs like the Red Sox and Seibu is not a good thing and that “the integrity of the posting would be flawed” if it were allowed.

Although Boston is not allowed to work out a side deal with the Seibu Lions, Boras told Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, "no rules exist that would prohibit Seibu from paying money to Matsuzaka to help him come to a decision where he would sign with the Red Sox and the Lions collect their $51.1 million." If that is the case, then this deal should get finalized rather easily.

Here is how it gets done:
Boston puts up $10 million per year for five years.
Seibu kicks back $3M per year to Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka earns $13M per year from 2007-2011.
The total outlay for the Red Sox ends up being just over $100M or approximately $20M per season.
Seibu nets $36M.
Oh, and Boras earns a tidy $4M commission.
Everybody walks away happy.