KFDM COOP Posted November 30, 2007 Report Posted November 30, 2007 Astros set to sign 2B Kaz MatsuiComplete Astros coverage Barring some unforeseen developments, the Astros will beat out the Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies to sign free-agent second baseman Kazuo Matsui, a person with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed on Thursday night.Without addressing Matsui, Astros general manager Ed Wade stuck to his policy of not commenting on specific players until a contract is done."We don't have a deal done with anyone," said Wade, who declined to talk about specific players."As has been the case all offseason, when we get a deal done with someone, we'll announce it."Nonetheless, it has been no secret the Astros have coveted Matsui to the point that Wade flew to Los Angeles last week to meet with Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem.Tellem has not returned calls from the Chronicle in recent weeks.Matsui, 32, has a .272 career batting average over four seasons in the majors since leaving the Japanese League. He spent his first 2½ seasons with the New York Mets before being traded to the Rockies on June 9, 2006.Matsui, who helped the Rockies win the National League pennant and reach the World Series for the first time in franchise history, hit .288 with four home runs, six triples, 37 RBIs and 32 stolen bases last season.In Matsui, the Astros will get a veteran second baseman to replace franchise icon Craig Biggio, who retired this year after 20 seasons with the club.Chris Burke, who the Astros drafted as a shortstop in the first round in 2001 out of the University of Tennessee, had been considered the heir apparent to Biggio at second base for several years. Although Wade made it clear this month he would be comfortable with Burke starting at second, the club has been aggressive in the free-agent market.The Astros made a strong push for free agents Luis Castillo and Matsui. Castillo decided to re-sign with the Mets, but the Astros appear to have outbid the Cubs — who offered a three-year, $14 million deal — for Matsui.The Astros will have a prototypical No. 2 hitter in Matsui, while also having Burke available as a backup infielder/outfielder or as a prime trade piece to help acquire a starting pitcher or a quality reliever.If the season started today, manager Cecil Cooper's first two batters would be players Wade acquired this winter. Center fielder Michael Bourn, who landed in Houston in the Brad Lidge trade, would lead off, and Matsui would bat second. Hunter Pence, Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee will be the next three batters, although it remains to be seen if Pence will hit third or fifth.
RonBurgundy68 Posted November 30, 2007 Report Posted November 30, 2007 That is good news, but I say one thing and one thing only... PITCHING!
venom33 Posted November 30, 2007 Report Posted November 30, 2007 They have agreed to terms, so hes done... ;D
Ruckdad Posted November 30, 2007 Report Posted November 30, 2007 I don't like this deal. Matsui does add to the team speed and is likely an upgrade defensively at 2B, but I dont believe he will be a major contributor to this offense. He will likely bat second behind Bourne, and will have to be much better than his sub .250 road average.My biggest beef with this signing is that it takes one of our draft picks away, which I believe is this franchises most pressing need - farm system stockpiling. In this era of over paid and under performing free agents, the best way to build a team is through your own farm system. I would have been okay with Burke getting his shot at second for this year, even if we suffered through another losing season, knowing that we were stockpiling draft picks to bolster the farm system.Having said that, I hope that Kaz is phenomenal here and that he helps this team be competitive in the NL Central. MAybe Burke can be packaged as part of a deal with Luke Scott to get a 3rd or 4th starter, maybe even a mediocre 2nd starter.Good luck Ed Wade, you still have a lot of work to do to pick up the pieces that Timmy P. dropped.
KFDM COOP Posted November 30, 2007 Author Report Posted November 30, 2007 Astros close to deal with Kaz Matsui... Reported by multiple sources, including www.astros.com.3 yrs. around $15 million overallI am mixed on deal. Is he really much of an upgrade over Chris Burke? Maybe slightly, but if you look at his #s, last year he was Craig Biggio (2007 version that is) away from Coors Field. I have soured some on Burke, but not that high on Matsui either. Matsui does get on base, is very good defensively, & has good speed.I only like it IF they have a deal worked out for pitching (like say Chris Burke & Luke Scott for a starting pitcher). Ed Wade is doing some good things & upgrading the roster top to bottom. Bullpen is better & has acquired some speed (Bourn, etc.). Trying to reload the minor leagues too. But I sure hope he gets some starting pitching soon. Like a proven #2 starter behind Roy Oswalt. Then you can fill in the gaps from there (Backe, Patton, Albers, Nieve, Williams, Wandy, etc.).
bullets13 Posted December 1, 2007 Report Posted December 1, 2007 i'm ok with this move. matsui will do fairly well in this park, with it's short fences. since colorado started putting it's balls in humidifiers, the balls don't fly out their like they used to, so his numbers aren't really that skewed from playing there. his game is reasonably similar to biggio's... a little less pop, but a little better speed and defense. i think this is a fairly good move for the stros. now they just need some pitching.
STiger85 Posted December 3, 2007 Report Posted December 3, 2007 This is where I'm at on this....Ok so we have a veteran 2B, with speed and will bat second. So that's two speedsters in the top two spots. Then Berkman, Lee, and Pence. Not bad first five. Then what. Hey we drafted Burke for SS sometime in the near future. Why not now. He has speed and a gun for a arm really good defencive player, has a little better bat that Everett. So lets go Whiginton, Burke, Catcher (who ever that is), then pitcher. I like Pence no. 5 hitter. We all know about his bat and speed, he will be on base for Whiginton. JMO.
AJ25 Posted December 3, 2007 Report Posted December 3, 2007 great sign for the astros. not quite as good as biggio, but he'll be a lot better than burke!
Guest Orangeboy Posted December 3, 2007 Report Posted December 3, 2007 Maybe we can have a few guys with samari swords hanging out by the pump with El Cabayo's boys. ;D Hey will the Astros have some kind of Japanese food now, kinda like the Ichi-Rolls?
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