http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=darvish

Interesting article about the state of baseball in Japan as top players bolt for the US, as well as middle of the road players, for bigger paychecks. Obviously the focus is on the next big import, Yu Darvish, an ace pitcher for the Nippon Ham Fighters, who (BIG SHOCK COMING) prefers Boston and NY.

Also, interesting to note that when they talk about youngsters that one of the kids says that he dreams of pitching for the Red Sox someday. It is crazy to think that so many kids now will want to become Red Sox because of Dice-K in the similar fashion that many young Dominican players have taken to the Sox because of Pedro, and now Manny and Papi.

As an investment for the future, is it good for the Sox to spend the money on these big name imports because it could increase their leverage in the International free agent pool?