The much anticipated deal between the Boston Red Sox and Japanese baseball star Daisuke Matsuzaka was finally agreed with less than 24 hours to spare.
According to a report on MLB.com, the Red Sox and Matsuzaka have agreed on a six-year, $52 million contract with incentives that could raise the deal to as high as $60 million.
Boston had faced a midnight deadline on Thursday to negotiate a deal with Matsuzaka and Boras.
If no deal had been reached, the 26 year old right hander would return to Japan and the Red Sox will get their posting fee returned.
On November 15, the Red Sox's posting fee for Matsuzaka was accepted by the Seibu Lions, giving them 30 days to negotiate exclusively with the World Baseball Classic MVP.
On November 15, the Red Sox's posting fee for Matsuzaka was accepted by the Seibu Lions, giving them 30 days to negotiate exclusively with the World Baseball Classic MVP.
The previous largest bid was the $13.1 million the Seattle Mariners paid the Orix BlueWave six years ago for the right to sign Ichiro Suzuki.
Matsuzaka will join Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Jonathan Papelbon and Tim Wakefield in an imposing starting rotation.
The pitcher led Japan's Pacific League in wins three times, ERA twice and strikeouts four times in an eight-year career.
Last season, he went 17-5 with a 2.13 ERA and struck out 200 in 186 1/3 innings.