Kazuo Matsui to the Astros (per ESPN 1000)

[abuck1220]

yeah, i'm doubtful hendry would give an expensive, fairly long-term contract to a crappy player too.

[Soul]

i heard the first part of that interview, but turned it off when i could tell they were about to have a lengthy (and pointless) conversation about instant replay. sounds like hendry voted against it, as he claimed he was more old school (shocking, i know).

 

Yeah, he was one of 5 GMs to vote against it.

 

LOL. Probably the same 5 GM's who have yet to embrace OBP, also.

 

OBP is almost old school now.

 

What does that make Hendry then?

[inari]

Given that this has surfaced absolutely no where other than Dave Kaplan, I'm optimistic that it's not going to happen.

[Post Count Padder]

Given that this has surfaced absolutely no where other than Dave Kaplan, I'm optimistic that it's not going to happen.

I wish I was as optimistic as you. This is the epitome of a Jim Hendry move.

[CUBZ99]

yeah, i'm doubtful hendry would give an expensive, fairly long-term contract to a crappy player too.

 

3/14MM would be a new low even for Jim Hendry.

[E.J.]

Given that this has surfaced absolutely no where other than Dave Kaplan, I'm optimistic that it's not going to happen.

 

It's not just from Kaplan.

 

Denver Post

 

The Chicago Cubs are pressing hard to sign the free-agent second baseman. One source close to the negotiations said he wouldn't be surprised if Matsui is offered a contract similar to the three-year, $14.4 million deal the Mets gave Torrealba.

[Mizzou]

I missed what Kaplan said; can someone fill me in?

 

Regardless of what he said, I would be surprised if Hendry signed this guy. He makes some stupid moves, but I don't see a way for even HIM to justify this one.

[CubColtPacer]

I missed what Kaplan said; can someone fill me in?

 

Regardless of what he said, I would be surprised if Hendry signed this guy. He makes some stupid moves, but I don't see a way for even HIM to justify this one.

 

He said the Cubs were approaching a deal with Matsui, although he didn't know the length or the dollar amount. Of course, he reported this last night, and there's nothing yet.

[hawkeyecub]

I just heard an update on The Score where Offman said that the Cubs "aren't on the verge of signing Matsui but are moving closer" whatever that means. He's probably just going off of the Denver Post article.

 

I really don't get it in any sense. He better have some blockbuster deal lined up with some of these middle infielders and get Fukudome signed at a reasonable price for any of this to work.

[SouthSideRyan]

Does any team out there have a need for 5 shortstops?

[Guest]

If this is the cost of signing Fukudome, Kosuke is just not worth it.

 

Go sign Jose Guillen instead and he'd already have some buddies who speak his first language on the team.

[jersey cubs fan]

If this is the cost of signing Fukudome, Kosuke is just not worth it.

 

Go sign Jose Guillen instead and he'd already have some buddies who speak his first language on the team.

 

There's no reason to bother with a guy like that, just stick with Murton in that case.

[Rob]

Does any team out there have a need for 5 shortstops?

 

We don't even have five shortstops. The only one who can really play there right now is Cedeno... Matsui would need to be healthy to play there.

[bhogg]

Mr Hendry, .let me introduce you to my friend, Mark Derosa.

 

FRIGGIN IDIOT

[A New Era]

Kaz would be ok if it INDEED meant we are getting Fukudome. Derosa can be the supersub. We did not get the SB I wanted after Sori got injured. Kaz adds some more speed and SB when he plays.

 

I would not mind at all a Kaz, Dero, and Theriot MI as long as it meant a Soriano, Pie, Fukudome OF.

[Mizzou]

I don't know the validity of it, but I just read on BCB that Matsui and Fukudome went to the same high school together.

 

If that's true, I think it's obvious why Hendry is looking at him.

[A New Era]

Ah, good bit of info. That's probably it. Thanks Miz.

[BigbadB]

I don't know the validity of it, but I just read on BCB that Matsui and Fukudome went to the same high school together.

 

If that's true, I think it's obvious why Hendry is looking at him.

 

I figured it must have been something along those lines.

[Rob]

I don't know the validity of it, but I just read on BCB that Matsui and Fukudome went to the same high school together.

 

If that's true, I think it's obvious why Hendry is looking at him.

 

 

According to an old article on Baseball Prospectus, that's the case.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Well what if they hated each other in high school? Ever think of that Jimbo?

[Rob]

Well what if they hated each other in high school? Ever think of that Jimbo?

 

That had occured to me. Fukudome will be 30 this season, IIRC... while Matsui will be 32. A 2 year age gap in high school can lead to some degree of hazing... especially if the older kid is a star athlete.

[BigbadB]

Well what if they hated each other in high school? Ever think of that Jimbo?

 

That's all well and good, but something tells me Hendry didn't just out of the blue make the decision that high school chums should be reunited. I have a feeling that it might have been a contractual requirement in order to get Fukudome here.

 

I'm not sure how good Fukudome's english is these days. You'd have to assume he's been brushing up on it the last few years at the very least. Matsui has been here in the states for 5 years now and could be of much assistance in helping Fukudome adjust.

 

It's really the only explanation for why Hendry is looking at giving Matsui a 3 year deal. The team he just had the most success with won't even give him that.

[Abe Frohman]

It can't hurt that Soriano can speak a little Japanese.

[BigbadB]

It can't hurt that Soriano can speak a little Japanese.

 

And they went to different high schools together. Perfect. No need for Kazuo.

[JeffH]

On Sports Central tonight, Kaplan reiterated that the Cubs are speaking with Matsui's people, but that they are not close to finalizing a deal.