Anybody remotely aware of Philadelphia politics knows that the John Street administration and friends have been hammered by the feds investigating their pay-to- play style of doing business with city officials: “you line my pockets and I’ll make sure you get the contract to do work.” It’s not a new phenomena in politics. Just ask the former mayor of Providence (who I believe has done jail time for similar antics.
Well, the Red Sox just won the right to talk to a Japanese baseball team about purchasing one of their great pitchers. How did they win the right? They will pay over 51 MILLION dollars just to negotiate a deal (some suggest it will be another 12 mill per year to actually pay him to be on the team). Now if that isn’t the biggest pay-to-play crime, I don’t know what is.
What happens if this player turns out to be a bust? Blows his arm out next year?
Disgusting. But, I’m sure you’ll find me “forgetting” this come next October when they are in the postseason…
Musings on Faith and Psychology 
Obviously they overpaid. But… in this instance that is the legal process worked out between the leagues. Not quite the legal process in Philly, or Providence.