Stros (have almost) signed Matsui

by bigfatdrunk on Nov 19, 2007 10:33 PM CST

Ringolsby reporting:

"Second baseman Kazuo Matsui, meanwhile, appears headed to the Houston Astros. That could create an interesting possibility for the Rockies, who a year ago asked for Chris Burke in the Jason Jennings trade, but settled for Willy Taveras. If Matsui signs Houston would seem likely to move Burke, who could fit into the Rockies second base battle, although the feeling right now is Jayson Nix will get the first shot. Nix was MVP of the World Cup, which Team USA won on Sunday by beating Cuba."

Link: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/nov/19/rockies-far-signing-torrealba/

Here's a quick breakdown of Matsui's numbers:

Matsui career OPS: 712 (325+387)
Matsui career OPS at Coors: 889 (403!+486!)
Matsui at everywhere but Coors: 670 (305+365)

To put that in perspective:
Burke career OPS: 697
Neifi Perez career OPS: 672

Well, I guess the good news is that at least Matsui is injury prone.

I hope all this is incorrect, but it's starting to look like the Ed Wade error (sic) is in full swing.

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that would suck

if they get Kaz and trade Burke I need a lawyer. I have to sue Colorado for perpetual mental rape.

Make the world a better place. Punch Tim Purpura in the face.

by Shamus on Nov 19, 2007 11:08 PM CST reply actions

i don't like it

i don't like it one bit.

i really don't think Matsui is at all an upgrade over Burke, except when it comes to contract size.

hopefully this Ringolsby clown is misinformed.

by littlevisigoth on Nov 20, 2007 7:46 AM CST reply actions

I'm willing to forget his Mets' stats....

I think Matsui was put in a bad situation in New York. And Matsui's stats for 07 look pretty good:
.288,.342,.405,.746 OPS. But there is room for skepticism as to whether this is an artifact of Coors: home OPS .864; road OPS .638. (Maybe the Astros are trying to maintain Biggio's recent tradition of H/R splits...OK, not funny.) Since Matsui isn't a power hitter, the pure Coors effect shouldn't be that large. If you want a silver lining to a Matsui signing...he is an excellent defensive 2d baseman, probably the best available fielder at the position.

From the perspective of Wade's mantra of "speed and defense," I guess this signing fits the "plan." But I am skeptical, though I'm not ready to call it a terrible signing (depending on the money). Here's what bothers me: the only reason for finding a replacement for Burke, IMO, is to replace a "question mark" with a known quantity. And at least Castillo and Iguchi are predictable, consistent hitters. But this amounts to replacing one question mark with another (since we don't know what kind of numbers Matsui will produce outside of Colorado).

by clack on Nov 20, 2007 8:01 AM CST reply actions

also...

And don't forget we are singing a 32 yo guy with hammy problems (aka, speed) to a two or three year deal.

I mean, it is the same concern with a Castillo. There's a reason speed players with leg problems don't age well, so why? Iguchi doesn't rely as much on speed, but he didn't exactly mash at big-time hitter's parks. But, to me, he would be the best of the bunch if you are dead set on replacing Burke.

I dunno. The Anderson/Villareal trade was a steal but the Bourn deal and this one have me more than a little worried about the long-term (or how about June?) view.

by bigfatdrunk on Nov 20, 2007 8:38 AM CST up reply actions

I agree with you mostly.

We haven't seen the dollars or years yet on Matsui, so we can hope he is cheaper than Castillo with maybe a 2 year duration. If the Astros keep Burke, too, then a Matsui/Burke platoon might make some sense. Matsui hits RHP better, and Burke has been platooned against lefties much of his career. In any event, both guys are sufficient uncertainties that I wouldn't mind keeping both, hoping one works out. That is assuming Matsui isn't paid too much. The way that Wade seems to prefer Castillo and Matsui to Burke and Iguchi makes me think that he puts too much value on batting average and speed. If both Bourn and Matsui put up a .695-.705 OPS at the top of the order...the Astros' offense is in trouble.

by clack on Nov 20, 2007 10:55 AM CST up reply actions

i agree with your latter point

about replacing a question mark with a question mark. i DO think that even contact hitters get a huge boost getting half their AB's at Coors field, though, so i'm keeping Matsui's home and road splits as a giant red flag for me.

maybe i'm forgetting how Burke's last name turned into a verb this past season, but i'm inclined to think that Burke is only slightly more risk than Matsui, but probably with equally more reward, maybe a lot more.

i'm of the opinion that if we can't get Iguchi (or MAYBE Loretta), we should just stick with Burke. i know a chubby first baseman that would be happy with that decision.

by littlevisigoth on Nov 20, 2007 10:53 AM CST up reply actions

Agree that Burke...

has more upside than Matsui. That is what makes it so puzzling. Trying to be optimistic, I don't think it is out of the question that MMP can provide some of the same advantages to a hitter like Matsui as Coors does. When Matsui came to the U.S., he was projected to show some power here, but it didn't materialize. However, he does have more gap power than a pure slap hitter like Castillo. I admit that is just trying to be as optimistic as I can.

by clack on Nov 20, 2007 11:03 AM CST up reply actions

OH CRAP!!

We already have a slick fielding middle infielder who can't hit or get on base. Why in hell would we get another? This is a BAD move by Wade.

It's the next generation of Astros. Let's see if they can play like the men they are replacing.

by TBurford on Nov 20, 2007 8:18 AM CST reply actions

On the upside...

We'd have by far the best fielding middle-of-the-field in baseball. Bourn, Everett, Matsui. Damn. Unfortunately, without much pitching, that would do us just about nothin. Bummer. I'm an Iguchi fan personally...

Remember, we didn't lose 90 games this year, so there's still hope.

by astromaniac on Nov 22, 2007 10:58 AM CST reply actions

Matsui Deal Not Done Yet...

Chicago papers report that Hendry is "hot on the trail of Matsui." Apparently, after Wade visited Matsui and his agent in LA, Hendry high tailed it to LA for a lunch with Matsui. I have no idea why Hendry is so hot for Matsui, considering the Cubs' glut of infielders, but my gut tells me that the we might be better off if Hendry wins this competition. Plus, it will be fun to hear Cubs' fans yell and scream about it.

by clack on Nov 22, 2007 11:12 AM CST reply actions

good news!

I would so love for all this to be like one of those bad sitcom nightmares that we wake up from and wonder how we could've ever thought Erkel had super-human powers.

by bigfatdrunk on Nov 22, 2007 6:17 PM CST up reply actions

Or That Gilligan Was A Secret Agent

for those like me who don't get the Erkel reference.

Cortisone shots: Not just for overpaid athletes anymore.

by rastronomicals on Nov 23, 2007 10:53 PM CST up reply actions

I thought the Erkel reference

was to Steve Urkel of Family Matters

Keeping Warm During Hot Stove Season

by Joe in Birmingham on Nov 25, 2007 8:53 PM CST up reply actions

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