BOSTON -- After paying $51.1 million for the right to merely negotiate a contract with Japanese star pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Red Sox are only halfway home.

In the next four weeks, the Sox still must reach agreement with Scott Boras, Matsuzaka's representative, or their pre-emptive strike, in which they outbid their closest competitors by more than $10 million, will have produced nothing but dashed expectations and red faces.

Here are 10 questions that still must be answered:

1. What happens if the two sides cannot reach agreement within the 30-day window?

Matsuzaka would return to the Seibu Lions and the $51.1 million would be returned to the Red Sox. Matsuzaka then could be posted again after the 2007 season, at which time the entire process would be repeated. Contrary to some reports, Matsuzaka will not be eligible for total free agency -- and open to all bidders -- until after the 2008 season.

2. Does the bid count toward baseball's competitive luxury tax?

No. While the average annual value of Matsuzaka's actual salary will count toward the tax, the posting bid itself does not.

3. Speaking of which: how much more will this cost the Red Sox?

From the very beginning, Boras has been saying that he expects Matsuzaka to be paid commensurate with top-of-the-rotation talent. At minimum, that would seem to suggest $10 million annually as a starting point. But the Red Sox may counter by reminding Boras that they've already committed more than $50 million to attain his client and that that money should be counted toward the final sum.

4. Now that the Red Sox have been identified as the top bidders, which side has the upper hand in negotiations?

That's difficult to say. The Red Sox can remind Boras that they have exclusivity and other teams can't negotiate against them. Boras can counter by saying that Matsuzaka has the option of returning to Japan. In the end, because Matsuzaka doesn't want to pitch for $3.5 million (his scheduled salary from Seibu next year instead of an eight-figure U.S. deal, plus untold endorsements) that gives the Sox the edge.

5. Is there a chance the Red Sox overbid merely to keep him away from the Yankees, and knowing the bid is fully refundable, don't intend to extend themselves in negotiations?

No. The Red Sox have been attempting to make inroads in the Far East, and such a strategy would doom them there. Never again would the Sox be taken seriously by players in Asia. Also, because the Sox already have begun exploring marketing possibilities in Japan, we can assume that their intentions are to sign Matsuzaka.

6. Can the Sox recoup their bid through advertising and marketing possibilities?

Not entirely. If the Sox strike an arrangement that sends NESN telecasts to Japan, for instance, they would have to share that income with the other 29 teams. The same goes for merchandise such as caps and T-shirts. But there are other advertising opportunities the Sox can capitalize on to help mitigate the cost.

7. Why will Boras seek a short-term deal and the Red Sox want something more long-term?

Some Japanese players -- Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki, most notably -- have negotiated into their contracts the right to be eligible for free agency before the customary six-year period. Rest assured, after the expense of landing Matsuzaka, the Red Sox won't grant him such contractual clause. It's in the Red Sox' best interest to lock Matsuzaka up for the long term, while Boras will want a shorter deal, if for no other reason than to have salary arbitration -- granted after three years of service time -- as leverage.

8. How does this affect the Red Sox' offseason strategy, particularly in the next month?

Since these negotiations are likely to be time-consuming, the Red Sox' baseball operations staff had better learn to multi-task. The prospect of landing Matsuzaka effectively takes the Sox out of the running for the likes of Barry Zito, Jason Schmidt and other free-agent starters. But while the Sox are trying to get Matsuzaka's deal done, they still have to fill holes at shortstop, right field and the bullpen, either through trade or free agency. If the Sox wait until completing the Matsuzaka deal to address other needs, they'll have far fewer options from which to choose.

9. What has been the success rate of Japanese pitchers in Major League Baseball?

Mixed. Hideo Nomo won 123 games over 11 seasons and tossed two no-hitters, including one with the Red Sox. Kazuhiro Sasaki saved 129 games over four years with Seattle before succumbing to homesickness. Hideki Irabu, meanwhile, was something of a bust, going 34-35 in four seasons. He was notoriously labeled as a "fat toad" by Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. Kaz Ishii was a mediocre 39-34 over four years before returning to Japan.

10. Given that spotty history, what makes Matsuzaka so special?

Like Pedro Martinez, Matsuzaka has command of at least four above-average pitches and can throw them at any time for strikes.

smcadam@projo.com / (401) 277-7340