From Heyman's article on SI.com:

"According to a source in Japan, Seattle was the team Matsuzaka least wanted to go to. That source said he believed Matsuzaka didn't want to play in Ichiro's shadow and would like to have his own spotlight. An executive with a team that may bid agreed that that's the impression he has, as well."

This may be BS, but it's also possible Bavasi and Lincoln didn't want to spend a ton on a guy who didn't want to be here. Although, it may have been prudent to win the posting anyway and offer Matsuzaka a lousy contract so he goes back to Japan and no one else gets him. Wouldn't have cost us a dime.