Kaz Matsui to be released?

[Exit 117]

Kaz Matsui - Second Baseman
The New York Post is reporting that Kaz Matsui could be released by the Mets when Xavier Nady returns from the disabled list on Tuesday.
Matsui is hitting just .200 with seven RBIs in 130 at-bats this season. The Mets will likely attempt to trade the 30-year-old infielder, but it is unlikely they will find any suitors.
Jun. 9 - 11:33 am et
Source: New York Post

MATSUI A LOST KAZ?
By MARK HALE
June 9, 2006 -- PHOENIX - In the near future, Kazuo Matsui's days as a Met could be over.

When Xavier Nady comes back from the disabled list - which could be as early as Tuesday - Matsui is a candidate to be released by the Mets, according to a person with knowledge of the club's thinking.

Matsui also be traded; one major league team official said yesterday there was buzz that the Mets were going to "move him soon."

If Lastings Milledge, called up when Nady went on the DL with an appendectomy, continues his strong start, the 21-year-old phenom could stay with the team when fellow outfielder Nady returns.

Matsui has been close to a total bust in his two-plus seasons with the Mets, and this year so far has been his worst.

The 30-year-old Japanese second baseman sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during spring training and wasn't activated until April 18. He is no longer playing every day (with one start since May 27), is batting .200 with seven RBIs in 130 at-bats this season, and is mired in a 4-for-47 slump since May 16. Matsui has fielded well, making only one error.

Matsui said yesterday he was not frustrated about not playing much lately, taking a Mets-first stance. He also said he was not worried about possibly being released.

"No, that doesn't concern me because I'm focusing right now on just to get better on the productive end," said Matsui, making $8 million this year in the final season of his contract.

Jose Valentin has done well offensively since essentially becoming the team's starting second baseman. After going 2-for-4 in the Mets' 7-1 win over the Diamondbacks last night, he is batting .290 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 97 at-bats. Chris Woodward, who also has played second, is hitting .291.

Trading Matsui - who inked a three-year deal for $20.1 million with the Mets before the 2004 season - could be difficult. He only can be dealt to the Yankees, Angels or Dodgers (though he could waive that right). The Mets likely would have to pay a good deal of his salary as well.
We still have to pay him, right? He should still have options, unless that rule doesn't apply to Japanese players, meaning they could just option him to AAA if we are going to keep paying him. Although, we have to bench Hernandez or Keppinger there, so I see that point, too.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

i don't believe for a second that any team would trade for kaz

[Cakes]

i don't believe for a second that any team would trade for kaz

Unless they want to dump the next Jason Grimsley on the Mets.

[statjeff22]

It's pretty clear that Kaz brings nothing to the table that you can't get from other people, so getting rid of him or not is really only about the money anyway. As 3rd notes, I can't believe anyone would take him to pay him, so if the Mets can still pay his salary but get a warm body, so much the better. In a way, I feel bad - he's never complained or been a bad teammate in any way, so it's too bad that he couldn't cut it.

The more interesting point to me is that it appears that they've already decided to keep Milledge up. Since I would hope that they wouldn't do that if he wasn't going to play, it seems to me that either Floyd is hurt more than reported, or they're entertaining the possibility of trying to move either Floyd or Nady in a trade.

[Rextasy]

At least he can't hurt the Mets sitting on his couch watching.. Just release him and end this failure now..

[ACertainShade]

Trade Cliff. Problem solved.

[baamf]

Time to turn the page on that mistake. I believe this is the last year of the contract so the Mets would owe him that cash and thats it. See ya....

[MSUJet85]

01:20 PM - Buzz: Kaz On The Way Out?

...posted by D.J. Short...
In Ken Rosenthal's latest column at FoxSports.com, he writes that in a proposed deal, 2B Kaz Matsui could be on his way to the Colorado Rockies. Utility player Eli Marrero would come to the Mets. The major obstacle, Rosenthal writes, is the remaining salary for Matsui, of which the Mets would have to pay a significant portion...

...only two players on the rockies make over two million (jason jennings and todd helton), so it will be hard to match up salaries...marrero makes $750 k, but personally, i think he has very little value to the mets...the mets already have a log-jam in that outfield and with woodward, franco, valentin and a. hernandez, i don't really see where marerro could fit in on this team...i just don't see it...

...as for matsui, it doesn't take a genius to see that this guy is just lost...i feel like he is the kind of player who could find his ability elsewhere...i think he could thrive in a city like colorado or seattle, and i think he is the kind of guy who would be easy to root for, which makes his demise in new york so unfortunate...it's so easy to see his talent, but he's just never realized it, for whatever reason...personally, i see no difference if the mets just give him his release and pay out the remainder of his contract, but i guess the mets would rather get something than nothing...for that i can't blame them...

Meanwhile, the Post is reporting that the Mets could release Matsui if they can't find a taker before OF Xavier Nady returns from the disabled list...

...stay tuned...

From Metsblog, it would be nice to get something for him

[3rdAnd15Draw]

it's easy to see his talent? has he ever watched kaz swing a bat?

[jdjets]

miledge is staying up? where did you here that?

[GreenGiant 32]

miledge is staying up? where did you here that?

Have you seen the kid play? Easiest decision of the year for Willie. He's already supplanted Floyd as far as I'm concerned.

[jdjets]

Have you seen the kid play? Easiest decision of the year for Willie. He's already supplanted Floyd as far as I'm concerned.
i think he should stay but who the hell am i ?
i thought he was going down when floyd came back. or nady for that matter.

[statjeff22]

i think he should stay but who the hell am i ?
i thought he was going down when floyd came back. or nady for that matter.

By releasing Matsui, the roster spot for Milledge stays open when Nady comes back.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

i'd like to see more patience from milledge at the plate. has a pitcher even run a 3 ball count to him yet?

[17a_tailgater]

Let floyd rest.

[PinPointPenning10]

i'd like to see more patience from milledge at the plate. has a pitcher even run a 3 ball count to him yet?

He's a young kid who wants to come up here and impress, he'll learn patience as he settles down and is given the job.

[jdjets]

Let floyd rest.
so floyd will not be traded?

[JETSFAN5180]

Kaz was the Mets answer for Hidecki LOL LOL the Mets will always be second rate as long as the YANKEES are in town.

[MSUJet85]

Kaz was the Mets answer for Hidecki LOL LOL the Mets will always be second rate as long as the YANKEES are in town.
The Yankees wanted him as much as the Mets did, and please coming from a team that had the Irabu failure

[Irv]

Does it hurt to lollerskate in here like a doofus and post misinformed idiocy?

[Exit 117]

Kaz was the Mets answer for Hidecki LOL LOL the Mets will always be second rate as long as the YANKEES are in town.
You're right. We should just stop watching baseball because HideKi was better than Kaz.

[JETSFAN5180]

Who is "WE" this kills me a post is made and right away the "WE" nonsense starts.

P.S Im glad you agree with me.

[JETSFAN5180]

Does it hurt to lollerskate in here like a doofus and post misinformed idiocy?

I dont know you tell me.

[JETSFAN5180]

Kaz who? Remember the Kazoo on the Filntstones? LOL

[nyscene911]

Kaz was the Mets answer for Hidecki LOL LOL the Mets will always be second rate as long as the YANKEES are in town.
Maybe the Mets will trade Matsui to the PIRATES. That should make you happy.

[JETSFAN5180]

Maybe the Mets will trade Matsui to the PIRATES. That should make you happy.

Wow dude that was so funny i forgot to laugh.Did you think of that all by yourself?

Maybe the ISLANDERS should sign KAZ.

[GreenGiant 32]

Kaz who? Remember the Kazoo on the Filntstones? LOL

Nothing sadder than someone laughing at their own joke.

[GreenMachine]

And thread hijacking begins....

[JETSFAN5180]

Nothing sadder than someone laughing at their own joke.


Sort of like you looking in the mirror.Who said i was laughing and it wasnt a joke.

[BadgerOnLSD]

Sort of like you looking in the mirror.Who said i was laughing and it wasnt a joke.
You did. . .
Kaz who? Remember the Kazoo on the Filntstones? LOL

[Learn To Swim]

Sort of like you looking in the mirror.Who said i was laughing and it wasnt a joke.Babbling idiot.

Anyway, going back to actual baseball news, The Post (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.) says Kaz to Colorado is pretty much a done deal, with the exception of some kinks in Matsui's contract that the Rockies want to work out.

[Jonathan_Vilma]

What a disgrace to Yankee fans. He combined four different thoughts into one sentence.

[Exit 117]

And Mr. Bullshit got banned for trolling.

[nyscene911]

You did. . .

To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.

[statjeff22]

i'd like to see more patience from milledge at the plate. has a pitcher even run a 3 ball count to him yet?

He has one walk so far, so apparently at least once. Still, an AVE of .300 and an OBP of .313 pretty much makes the point.

[Boss Revis]

I have no problems with Marrero. Hes a solid guy off the bench, do the deal.

[Boss Revis]

Deal is offically done...

[silent scream]

Kaz was the Mets answer for Hidecki LOL LOL the Mets will always be second rate as long as the YANKEES are in town.

Man, I'm so glad you're a Yankee fan.

[EcKo151]

Kaz was the Mets answer for Hidecki LOL LOL the Mets will always be second rate as long as the YANKEES are in town.
Bro...

What you need is a week off from the board, at least from posting...Just read for a little bit, because the stuff you say, is illiterate and stupid...