"Dice K" Is Somewhat "Dicey" To Say The Least

I 1st viewed Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Gyro Ball tossing phenom for the Boston Red Sox, in a Pre-Season Warmup, as Red Sox Nation invaded Citizens Bank Ballpark in South Philadelphia for a match with the Phillies.
He came as advertised in that Dice K was fooling batters with his assortment of pitches from fastball to curve to Gyro Ball.

Fast Forward to Fenway Park in 2009 & it becomes apparent that a game with "Dice K" is both a Slow Event, as well as a game of watching balls landing on Lansdowne Street or in the Green Monster Seats. Often reaching the not so magic 100 Pitch Mark by the 5th Inning, by nibbling the plate, it becomes an exercise in patience, or a need to imbibe with a few pints of an adult beverage, like a couple of Buds or something else more flavorful.

Perhaps, this was a sign of what one would call a "Bridge Year", came in the form of losing 2/3 Games to the Woefully Understaffed(& Ponzi Under-Financed)NY Mets, who one could say have an owner's son acting as a General Manager, though Mets Fans refer to him in unprintable terms(Jeffy Is a {bleep}). Daisuke Matsuzaka was clobbered in Game One, just barely making it to the 5th Inning & getting yanked out in that frame. Meanwhile, Mr Johan Santana(Now Recovering from Shoulder Surgery as I write this), made quick work of his opposition. By the Gem pitched by Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde Type, Josh Beckett, was wasted by the Now Frighteningly Inconsistent Jonathan Papelbon, giving up a two run blast into the Green Monster Seats to the Inconsequential 3rd String Catcher, Omir Santos, whose Whereabouts, I believe, may be at the Mets AAA International League Team in Buffalo, NY.

Yet, whenever Dice K is pitching in a National League Ballpark, he works faster & is looser. There is something different when he works in that atmosphere under NL Rules, as there is NO Designated Hitter. He has to bat, which makes him looser, instead of being on the bench for long periods of time, seated, while his team mates are having a long scoring run.

Guys like Matsuzaka, in AL Games, end up taxing the Bullpen into exhaustion, from not going deep into games. Getting to the Century Mark in pitches by the 5th Inning, does not bode for a good game.

He may be worth something to a contending NL Team. As it stands now, with a trip to the 30 Day DL, one wonders about him being an expensive "Flame Out", with shoulder problems. He tends to work quickly in NL Parks.

Question is "What Will He Bring If Traded?"

M