Anyone up for a game of dice?
Per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is expected to sign with the Mets. Matsuzaka, who was released by the Cleveland Indians earlier this week, is expected to join the Mets' rotation right away according to Heyman.
ESPN New York's Adam Rubin hypothesized via Twitter that Matsuzaka may fill Jenrry Mejia's spot on the club's 40-man roster.
Dice-K produced a 5-8 record in 19 starts with a 3.92 ERA, 95 strikeouts and 39 walks across 103 innings pitched for Cleveland's Triple A affiliate in Columbus this year. Cleveland granted his request to be released earlier this week in order to give the former Red Sox starter a chance to catch on with another club.
Now, that other club appears to be the Mets. The news should come as no surprise, as the Amazin's were linked to trade rumors involving Dice-K this past offseason. The Mets also submitted a bid for Dice-K's rights after the 2006 season, but their offer allegedly came in $20 million less than what Boston paid for the right to talk to him -- let alone the $52 million it took to sign him.
The only questions that remain: How much is he being paid? And will he bring the gyroball with him?