Matsuzaka Mania Mounts

He'd better be good. The Boston Red Sox laid out another $51 million for Japanese pitching sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka Wednesday night, signing him to a long-term contract to pitch at Fenway Park.

Agent Scott Boras told ESPN.com the contract includes a "litany of personal comforts." Matsuzaka will get a massage therapist, physical therapist, interpreter and personal assistant, and the Red Sox agreed to provide the pitcher with 80-90 flights over the course of the deal, along with special housing and transportation arrangements and accomodations for his wife.

Collectors don't have quite as much at stake in the whole deal, but there is some speculating going on. Matsuzaka cards have been hot for a few weeks now as speculation mounted on when and where the flame-throwing starter would land.

As of Wednesday night, over 900 Matsuzaka items were on eBay, highlighted by over 330 cards. The most popular seemed to be the 2006 Upper Deck World Baseball Classic game-used jersey cards which have been moving for $150-300. 2006 Fleer Showcase is out there too with a 1/1 Printing Plate card not reaching the reserve dspite a $305 bid recently. He also has some Japanese cards including the 2000 Upper Deck Japan Ovation.