Dice-K expressed his desire to return to a starting rotation at the end of the season. He reportedly may get that chance back in his homeland.
Daisuke Matsuzaka stated at the end of this season that his priority for next year was a return to a starting rotation. The wealth of starting pitching at the major league level and in the high minors that the Mets possess made it seem very unlikely that this chance would come in New York.
His chance to return to a starting rotation, and his native Japan, has arrived now that the Pacific League champion Fukuoka Softbank Hawks have reportedly offered Matsuzaka a four-year deal at $3.58 million ($400 million yen) per year, according to Sports Hochi.
The 34-year old Matsuzaka went 3-3 with a 3.89 ERA and one save in 34 appearance for the Mets. He actually performed slightly better in a relief role, pitching to a 3.44 ERA in 36.2 innings, compared to a 4.24 ERA in nine starts spanning 46.2 innings. The Mets originally acquired Matsuzaka late in the 2013 season and brought him back for the 2014 season.