Verducci's Latest

Tom Verducci of SI.com has a good piece out that touches on topics of interest early on this season:

• Verducci did some digging and found that both the Red Sox and Scott Boras were concerned with Matsuzaka's track record prior to joining the Red Sox. He did some nice analysis on four other Japanese pitchers who came over and were at first successful, but then fell of the map in their third or fourth year in the majors. Matsuzaka is currently on the DL with mild right shoulder strain.
• Verducci wonders if the Nationals jumped at the wrong player to make their franchise player. Ryan Zimmerman just received a five year deal worth 45 million dollars, but his numbers lineup with a guy making under 10 million dollars. Click here to see who that player is!

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.