Kazuo Matsui to the Astros (per ESPN 1000)

[JeffH]

"The Matsui sweepstakes"

 

This is somewhat akin to a contest in which the "winner" gets kicked in the crotch by Adam Vinatieri.

[wekse]

"The Matsui sweepstakes"

 

This is somewhat akin to a contest in which the "winner" gets kicked in the crotch by Adam Vinatieri.

 

no worries....he'd probably just miss anyway.....OOOOH ZING!!!!

[Bruce Miles]

Cubs are still in the Matsui sweepstakes. I'd make it better than 50-50 that they get him. But that's as things stand now.

 

Is the report true Bruce that Hendry wants Matsui to be the full-time starter at second and move DeRosa to a utility player? Does he want either one of them to be the SS?

 

Neither one for SS. Probably split time at second between Matsui and DeRosa and have DeRosa fill in at third and right when needed.

[CuseCubFan69]

Cubs are still in the Matsui sweepstakes. I'd make it better than 50-50 that they get him. But that's as things stand now.

 

Is the report true Bruce that Hendry wants Matsui to be the full-time starter at second and move DeRosa to a utility player? Does he want either one of them to be the SS?

 

Neither one for SS. Probably split time at second between Matsui and DeRosa and have DeRosa fill in at third and right when needed.

 

So Hendry's strategy is to go without a SS....revolutionary!!

 

Bruce, is there any interest for a SS and are they looking at a CF or a RF?

[Mephistopheles]

Cubs are still in the Matsui sweepstakes. I'd make it better than 50-50 that they get him. But that's as things stand now.

 

Is the report true Bruce that Hendry wants Matsui to be the full-time starter at second and move DeRosa to a utility player? Does he want either one of them to be the SS?

 

Neither one for SS. Probably split time at second between Matsui and DeRosa and have DeRosa fill in at third and right when needed.

 

I'm ready for another fun filled season of bashing my head on the wall when Matsui steals abs from a clearly better player in DeRosa.

[CubinNY]

Bruce,

 

If you are still here, can you tell us the thought process Hendry is using to go after yet another mediocre to terrible middle infielder? I mean, has anyone connected with the Cubs provided a reason why they are targeting such a redundant player?

[UMFan83]

Cubs are still in the Matsui sweepstakes. I'd make it better than 50-50 that they get him. But that's as things stand now.

 

Is the report true Bruce that Hendry wants Matsui to be the full-time starter at second and move DeRosa to a utility player? Does he want either one of them to be the SS?

 

Neither one for SS. Probably split time at second between Matsui and DeRosa and have DeRosa fill in at third and right when needed.

 

I understand the strategy. I really do. Lou really liked the ability of DeRosa to play all over, and wasn't thrilled with having to put a Cedeno in at 2B and Derosa in there at 3B there everytime Ramirez needed a day off (like he always does and will next year) or Floyd was hurt.

 

But DeRosa seemed to be the model teammate last season, he had a good year statistically, and was pretty much promised to be the starting 2B when he signed here but made no complaints when he was moved around the field.

 

Plus Kaz Matsui? If you are going to get a backup/platoon 2B, NOT Kaz Matsui. Pathetic.

[Mephistopheles]

Bruce,

 

If you are still here, can you tell us the thought process Hendry is using to go after yet another mediocre to terrible middle infielder? I mean, has anyone connected with the Cubs provided a reason why they are targeting such a redundant player?

 

I am not Bruce, but trying to understand Hendry's thought process is beyond the realm of anyone's.

[craig]

I'm going to try to rationalize the Cubs thinking.

 

1. Hendry wants to give Lou what he wants. Lou has a good reputation, Lou had a good season, so to large degree I think Hendry wants to accede to Lou's preferences unless it's really expensive or he feels it really wrong. Lou has clearly stated that he wants more speed, more base-stealing, and more lefty bats. I'd think this should be put on Lou at least as much as on Hendry.

 

2. Using win shares stuff (http://www.hardballtimes.com/thtstats/main/index.php?view=winshares&linesToDisplay=50&season_filter[0]=2007&league_filter[0]=NL&pos_filter[0]=2B&Submit=Submit&orderBy=wsp&direction=DESC&page=1), Matsui had a higher winshares score than DeRosa last year, defense included (relative to playing time.) I don't know all the calculations, but I think the James stuff is normally pretty thorough, and would include park factors and the like. Maybe Hendry or Lou are looking at those and believe that matsui last year was comparable to DeRosa?

 

3. Matsui's career OPS vs RHP is almost identical to DeRosa's career OPS vs RHP. Until 2007, DeRosa has had large LHP/RHP splits. If DeRosa settles back to his previous level, Lou may feel that Matsui is as good a hitter vs RHP, but superior defensively and as a baserunner.

 

4. Matsui's SB/CS record is very good. He rarely gets caught. His SB/CS-adjusted career OPS is comparable to DeRosa's career OPS.

 

5. DeRosa, Theriot, Cedeno, and Infante are all RH. Matsui is not. Lou values lefty-righty stuff very highly.

 

6. Lou may think that Matsui might be a preferable fit batting 2nd vs RHP than either DeRosa or Theriot.

 

7. Lou and Hendry like DeRosa's flexibility. DeRosa needs to get used at 3b or wherever sometimes. Lou probably sees matsui as preferable at 2B than Cedeno or Infante when DeRosa plays elsewhere.

 

8. It's possible that while they aren't counting on it, Lou is still hoping that either Matsui or DeRosa might prove to be acceptable defensively at SS, relative to Theriot. If Theriot is lousy versus RHP again, and if either Matsui or DeRosa can be used at least some at SS, Lou might like that option relative to Infante.

Edited November 21, 2007 by NCCubFan
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[bhogg]

Maybe I'm dumb. . . .

 

How about giving Derosa the 2b job. Get a decent / good SS and RF'er.

 

If an OF'er / 3b type gets injured, you put Derosa as the super sub and get a crapstain like Kaz Matsui via trade or free agent scrup pick up.

 

This is not scientific rockets, is it?

[JeffH]

A new article from Bruce:

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=81558

 

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry was on the road Tuesday, perhaps courting free-agent second baseman Kaz Matsui, who played for the National League champion Colorado Rockies.

 

Hendry wouldn't give his location, but the Cubs are hot after Matsui. Despite reports that the Houston Astros are close to signing Matsui, the Cubs appear to be very much in the running.

 

Hendry also likes Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, who has declared free agency but has yet to say if he'll change teams in Japan or come to North America. Fukudome, a left-handed hitter, is an on-base machine. He may not make his decision before the year ends.

 

Outfielders Carl Crawford (Tampa Bay) and Ryan Church (Washington) also are on Hendry's radar, but neither of their teams is easy to deal with in trade talks.

 

Whither Woody? The Cubs don't appear close to re-signing reliever Kerry Wood, a member of the organization since 1995. Wood is a free agent who may get offers from other clubs of two years and perhaps $10 million total.

 

The Cubs look to be interested in an incentive-laden one-year deal with a club option based on health incentives for Wood, who came back from non-surgical rehab of his right shoulder this year.

Edited November 21, 2007 by NCCubFan
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[JeffH]

Kaz Matsui-2B-Rockies Nov. 20 - 8:47 pm et

 

Astros GM Ed Wade is in Los Angeles talking to free agents Kaz Matsui and Randy Wolf.

 

It seems that the Astros and Matsui aren't quite as close to a deal as Tracy Ringolsby and Richard Justice indicated last night, so maybe the Cubs could still steal him away. Wolf indicated last year that he preferred the West Coast, and given similar offers, he could choose to stay in California.

[CubColtPacer]

I like the news about Wood as I feel that's a fair offer to alleviate the concerns.

 

The news about Matsui is of course concerning.

 

The worst note I saw in that was the sentence that Fukudome may not decide before the end of the year. If the Cubs have to wait that long for him and then he decides to stay in Japan, I'd be worried about what management would do next to try to fill the hole in January with limited options.

[CubinNY]

I like the news about Wood as I feel that's a fair offer to alleviate the concerns.

 

The news about Matsui is of course concerning.

 

The worst note I saw in that was the sentence that Fukudome may not decide before the end of the year. If the Cubs have to wait that long for him and then he decides to stay in Japan, I'd be worried about what management would do next to try to fill the hole in January with limited options.

 

I think they will try DeRosa in RF. God forbid Murton should play.

[JeffH]

It seems like Hendry's interest in Ryan Church would fit well with having to wait for Kosuke.

 

He'd be a decent fallback option in RF, but, if you did manage to land Kosuke, he'd also be an option in CF or even off the bench.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

It seems like Hendry's interest in Ryan Church would fit well with having to wait for Kosuke.

 

He'd be a decent fallback option in RF, but, if you did manage to land Kosuke, he'd also be an option in CF or even off the bench.

I've always been a big Church fan, but working out a fair trade with Bowden is about as likely as me winning the lottery tomorrow. That guy would ask for Pie, Gallagher and Colvin if we inquired about their team equipment manager.

[JeffH]

It seems like Hendry's interest in Ryan Church would fit well with having to wait for Kosuke.

 

He'd be a decent fallback option in RF, but, if you did manage to land Kosuke, he'd also be an option in CF or even off the bench.

I've always been a big Church fan, but working out a fair trade with Bowden is about as likely as me winning the lottery tomorrow. That guy would ask for Pie, Gallagher and Colvin if we inquired about their team equipment manager.

 

A rhubarb pie, a Gallagher DVD, and a Shawn Colvin CD.

 

Done!

[frostwyrm]

One good thing that could come out of this is it might mean Soriano will move down in the order. Only logical explanation for going so hard after Matsui is that Hendry is envisioning Matsui at leadoff(32 SB last year) and keeping Theriot at SS and the 2 hole, where he will be bunting Matsui over quite often. But then we'd be locked into a small ball mentality, which I hate. Matsui isn't much of an OBP guy either.

[badnews]

I'm going to try to rationalize the Cubs thinking.

 

1. Hendry wants to give Lou what he wants. Lou has a good reputation, Lou had a good season, so to large degree I think Hendry wants to accede to Lou's preferences unless it's really expensive or he feels it really wrong. Lou has clearly stated that he wants more speed, more base-stealing, and more lefty bats. I'd think this should be put on Lou at least as much as on Hendry.

 

2. Using win shares stuff (http://www.hardballtimes.com/thtstats/main/index.php?view=winshares&linesToDisplay=50&season_filter[0]=2007&league_filter[0]=NL&pos_filter[0]=2B&Submit=Submit&orderBy=wsp&direction=DESC&page=1), Matsui had a higher winshares score than DeRosa last year, defense included (relative to playing time.) I don't know all the calculations, but I think the James stuff is normally pretty thorough, and would include park factors and the like. Maybe Hendry or Lou are looking at those and believe that matsui last year was comparable to DeRosa?

 

3. Matsui's career OPS vs RHP is almost identical to DeRosa's career OPS vs RHP. Until 2007, DeRosa has had large LHP/RHP splits. If DeRosa settles back to his previous level, Lou may feel that Matsui is as good a hitter vs RHP, but superior defensively and as a baserunner.

 

4. Matsui's SB/CS record is very good. He rarely gets caught. His SB/CS-adjusted career OPS is comparable to DeRosa's career OPS.

 

5. DeRosa, Theriot, Cedeno, and Infante are all RH. Matsui is not. Lou values lefty-righty stuff very highly.

 

6. Lou may think that Matsui might be a preferable fit batting 2nd vs RHP than either DeRosa or Theriot.

 

7. Lou and Hendry like DeRosa's flexibility. DeRosa needs to get used at 3b or wherever sometimes. Lou probably sees matsui as preferable at 2B than Cedeno or Infante when DeRosa plays elsewhere.

 

8. It's possible that while they aren't counting on it, Lou is still hoping that either Matsui or DeRosa might prove to be acceptable defensively at SS, relative to Theriot. If Theriot is lousy versus RHP again, and if either Matsui or DeRosa can be used at least some at SS, Lou might like that option relative to Infante.

 

2. As far as I've known, win shares aren't park adjusted. I don't think even park-adjusting accounts for the home team's offensive advantage in Coors Field. The problem is, you're still dealing with Coors inflated numbers. Try looking at Jeromy Burnitz's win shares in 2004.

 

3. So what does that mean? We're going to be spending $8 million a year on kind of a mediocre middle infield platoon to get Matsui... I'm not even sure... better defense against righthanded pitching? I'm not understanding. Also, does it mean for the next 20 years we should hold up DeRosa as reason to sign any middle infielder, like people did with Glendon Rusch's one good year before falling apart again? DeRosa at least showed he could hit away from Arlington when he was with the Rangers. I just don't understand. You didn't say Matsui hits better against righties than DeRosa. You said, including his Coors-inflated numbers, he hits as well as. So for all intents and purposes, he hits worse.

 

4. Podsednik just got DFAed for that matter too. I don't see how it matters.

 

5. I don't think I ever recall Lou valuing lefty-righty so much he'd clog up the roster to make this ludicrous platoon of mediocrity we're talking about, much less commit 3 years to a guy to do it.

 

6. Has he suffered a head injury recently? If the Cubs had an unlimited payroll and a 50 man active roster maybe these kinds of dubious, even-if-they-work-out nickel-and-dime "improvements" would make sense. But they don't otherwise.

 

7. This is a reason to use up another roster spot and devote more money to mediocre or bad players? Is there any reason for Infante at all under these scenarios?

[JohnF]

Here some news from the Sun-Times

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/660402,CST-SPT-cub21.article

 

General manager Jim Hendry has gone west -- as in a trip to Los Angeles -- for a lunch date Tuesday with Colorado Rockies free agent Kazuo Matsui, one of several players in whom the Cubs have serious interest.

 

Hendry wouldn't discuss details of his talks with Matsui, but a deal does not appear imminent. Sources on both sides confirmed the meeting, which took place over lunch at Riviera Country Club.

 

Better suited to play second than shortstop, Matsui was the Mets' regular shortstop his first season in New York and is considered capable of spot-starting there. He would give the Cubs much-needed speed, a left-handed presence and would fit in the No. 2 spot in the order -- although his .298 average and .380 on-base percentage in 124 leadoff at-bats in 2007 could launch another round of debates about moving Alfonso Soriano down in the order.

 

What about the debate of why we're going after Kaz Matsui to begin with? ](*,)

[CubinNY]

Here some news from the Sun-Times

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/660402,CST-SPT-cub21.article

 

General manager Jim Hendry has gone west -- as in a trip to Los Angeles -- for a lunch date Tuesday with Colorado Rockies free agent Kazuo Matsui, one of several players in whom the Cubs have serious interest.

 

Hendry wouldn't discuss details of his talks with Matsui, but a deal does not appear imminent. Sources on both sides confirmed the meeting, which took place over lunch at Riviera Country Club.

 

Better suited to play second than shortstop, Matsui was the Mets' regular shortstop his first season in New York and is considered capable of spot-starting there. He would give the Cubs much-needed speed, a left-handed presence and would fit in the No. 2 spot in the order -- although his .298 average and .380 on-base percentage in 124 leadoff at-bats in 2007 could launch another round of debates about moving Alfonso Soriano down in the order.

 

What about the debate of why we're going after Kaz Matsui to begin with? ](*,)

It is almost as if DeRosa doesn't exist at all on the Cubs roster. I really cannot see any other reason to go after The Great Kazou except to lure Fukudome. If the former happens and not the latter that is real bad. If both happens it is just plain bad. If the latter happens and not the former, that is great.

[Larry Horse]

Get ready for Hendry to outbid everyone to land the great Kaz.

[PrimeTime]

So we get Infante,Now HOT pursuit for Matsui,Then it'll be signing Podsednik to seal off a very productive and awsome offseason...I would love to run into you at a bar one day hendry... ](*,)

[jersey cubs fan]

So we get Infante,Now HOT pursuit for Matsui,Then it'll be signing Podsednik to seal off a very productive and awsome offseason...I would love to run into you at a bar one day hendry... ](*,)

 

Just look for the guy paying $7.50 for Budweisers and tipping the bartender $2.50 for each one because he's using the corporate card.

[rocket]

WHY DOESN'T JIM REMEMBER THE DISASTROUS 2006 SEASON WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT IMPROVING TEAM SPEED