The Diceman Cometh

. . . epstein admitted it wasn't one of his better free-agent signings.

The frustration was evident, in their words and facial expressions and use of the word “disappointment.’’ Both Red Sox manager Terry Francona and pitching coach John Farrell were sharp in their words toward Daisuke Matsuzaka, the pitcher now rehabbing in Fort Myers, Fla., who expressed his criticisms of the Sox training regimen.

That did not sit well.

“Disappointed, yeah, because there’s been a lot of conversation, a lot of back and forth, a lot of trying to understand his perspective,’’ Farrell said. “Again, it has to be noted that we have the utmost respect for what he’s accomplished in the past, what he’s accomplished in two years here, and how he likes to train and, as these situations have arose, there’s been many sit-down meetings [where] thoughts have been exchanged back and forth.

“So the disappointment comes from [him] basically airing his dirty laundry.’’

Matsuzaka spoke to a Japanese website, divulging frustration in methods he believes have stymied him and his ability to be an effective major league pitcher. But Farrell even took issue with just how good Matsuzaka has been over his Sox career, with high pitch counts and low numbers of innings, and throwing too many pitches to get too few outs. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2009/07/29/sharp_replies_issued/

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