Seibu Lions receive Matsuzaka bid money from Red Sox

TOKOROZAWA, Japan -- The Seibu Lions on Wednesday received the $51.1 million the Boston Red Sox bid for the right to negotiate with star pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka.

The Pacific League Lions received the money in a bank transfer from the Red Sox, according to team officials.

Team president Hidekazu Ota said the money will be put to good use.

"It will be used for a variety of purposes," said Ota. "Strengthening our current team, promoting the development of youth baseball and providing improved services to our fans."

Last week, Matsuzaka agreed with the Red Sox on a six-year, $52 million contract, ending a month of negotiations.

Ota said the money will not be used to address the team's financial problems.

Last year, a Japanese court convicted team owner Yoshiaki Tsutsumi of insider trading and falsifying company records.

Seibu's parent company, Seibu Railways, was given a $1.73 million fine, while Tsutsumi's privately owned company Kokudo Corp., was fined $1.3 million.