Kazuo Matsui to the Astros (per ESPN 1000)

[E.J.]

Denver Post[/url]"]The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres have second baseman Kazuo Matsui on their radar, and the New York Mets have emerged as a legitimate suitor for catcher Yorvit Torrealba. Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd expects to renew talks with Matsui in a few days, while saying he's willing to give Torrealba a multiyear deal.

 

 

 

Hendry sure is obsessed with 2nd baseman, isn't he? [-X

Edited November 30, 2007 by E.J.

[seanimal]

uh, pass.

[Banedon]

Why?

[Have a seat, Neifi]

DeRosa and his 10 HRs was just too much power, I guess.

[JeffH]

Why?

 

I assume you're looking for an answer more sophisticated than "he's a bad baseball player".

[JeffH]

Maybe Hendry wants to add Kaz to help attract Kosuke and Hiroki.

 

That strategy worked so well in signing Furcal's bestest buddy Neifi, that he's going to try it again.

[Bruno7481]

Flashback about 4-5 years and this palce was bonkers for Matsui.

 

How the times have changed...

[inari]

Maybe Kaz can still play shortstop?

[Banedon]

Maybe Kaz can still play shortstop?

 

That would be a perfect Cubs match. We love to play guys in positions that they haven't played, or haven't played recently.

[Mephistopheles]

Maybe Hendry wants to add Kaz to help attract Kosuke and Hiroki.

 

That strategy worked so well in signing Furcal's bestest buddy Neifi, that he's going to try it again.

 

if we sign kosuke first, then fine. it'll help him transition.

[SAMMYWHO]

Flashback about 4-5 years and this palce was bonkers for Matsui.

 

How the times have changed...

 

Reminds me of the Luis Castillo thread a few weeks ago. 1-2 yrs ago Hendry would have been worshipped if he signed/traded for him.

[badnews]

Kaz Matsui has been pretty bad his entire career in the U.S., and this year he had worse splits than Jeromy Burnitz in 2004.

 

It's not even remotely worthwhile, even if we bring in the entire Japanese All-Star team.

[waffle]

He's just bad... yuck

[biittner77]

Flashback about 4-5 years and this palce was bonkers for Matsui.

 

How the times have changed...

 

Reminds me of the Luis Castillo thread a few weeks ago. 1-2 yrs ago Hendry would have been worshipped if he signed/traded for him.

 

Matsui was playing SS in Japan and 5 years ago the Cubs needed a SS. Funny how the Cubs weren't interested then because they didn't know if he'd be any good. Now that they know he's not very good they're interested.

 

If the Cubs had signed Castillo they wouldn't have been as tempted to trade for Pierre. That alone would have made the signing worthwhile.

[E.J.]

Denver Post[/url]"]

With the Chicago Cubs expressing serious interest in second baseman Kazuo Matsui, the likelihood he returns to Colorado will decrease dramatically if he chooses the biggest contract over personal comfort.

 

The Cubs are seeking to add speed to their lineup and have the resources to offer Matsui an attractive deal even with Mark DeRosa, a second baseman/super utilityman, making $4.75 million next season.

 

The Rockies' offer is two years in excess of $6 million, though O'Dowd wouldn't reveal specifics. Houston has also expressed interest in Matsui.

 

I don't understand.

[JeffH]

What don't you understand?

 

Jim Hendry is a very bad GM who is enamored with very bad baseball players.

 

Kaz Matsui is a very bad baseball player.

 

Jim Hendry is enamored with Kaz Matsui.

 

Simple.

[E.J.]

Rotoworld:

 

Sources told the Chicago Sun-Times that the Cubs will make "a serious run" at Kaz Matsui.

The Cubs are all over the Japanese players right now, with rumored interest in Kosuke Fukudome, Hiroki Kuroda and Hitoki Iwase as well. If the Cubs sign Matsui, it might be to turn Mark DeRosa back into a utility player. The other option would be to go with Matsui at short and make Ryan Theriot a reserve. However, if they want to replace Theriot, they can do better.

 

Looking more and more like we'll have Matsui in a Cubs uniform. I wonder if Hendry plans on replacing DeRosa or Theriot with Matsui. Either way, I don't like this idea.

[rocket]

Team speed....lol. Worked great in 2006, Hendry.

[BigbadB]

Rotoworld:

 

Sources told the Chicago Sun-Times that the Cubs will make "a serious run" at Kaz Matsui.

The Cubs are all over the Japanese players right now, with rumored interest in Kosuke Fukudome, Hiroki Kuroda and Hitoki Iwase as well. If the Cubs sign Matsui, it might be to turn Mark DeRosa back into a utility player. The other option would be to go with Matsui at short and make Ryan Theriot a reserve. However, if they want to replace Theriot, they can do better.

 

Looking more and more like we'll have Matsui in a Cubs uniform. I wonder if Hendry plans on replacing DeRosa or Theriot with Matsui. Either way, I don't like this idea.

 

Heh. Neither Theriot or Matsui should turn DeRosa into a utility player.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

A Matsui/Theriot platoon would be nice.

[craig]

Theriot was a .634-OPS vs RHP this year, Matsui is a career .728 vs RHP. Not sure what you'd lose defensively with Kaz or if you moved DeRosa over. But whatever Matsui can't do, I think it's fair to say that even he hits RHP significantly better than does Theriot. Theriot does very well vs LHP. I agree, a platoon could be better than what we've got now.

[Guest]

A Matsui/Theriot platoon would be nice.

 

If they sign him, that's what I hope (outside of hoping Ronny plays in the bigs like it's AAA).

[frostwyrm]

I'm sure it's the 32 stolen bases that have Hendry excited. Kaz might end up at leadoff with Soriano going to #2.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Theriot was a .634-OPS vs RHP this year, Matsui is a career .728 vs RHP. Not sure what you'd lose defensively with Kaz or if you moved DeRosa over. But whatever Matsui can't do, I think it's fair to say that even he hits RHP significantly better than does Theriot. Theriot does very well vs LHP. I agree, a platoon could be better than what we've got now.

 

Matsui's better against RHP than his career numbers indicate.

 

2004: .262/.319/.373/.692

2005: .246/.295/.362/.657

2006: .299/.329/.428/.757

2007: .291/.348/.409/.757

 

FWIW, he hit .265/.315/.354 away from Coors against RHP, but at the same time that includes a disproportionate amount of games in the pitcher's parks of the NL West(Petco, Dodger Stadium, Phone company of the week park).

[Post Count Padder]

Not a huge fan of this. He's a defensive upgrade for sure. But how is he any better offensively than Riot or DeRosa?