The Houston Astros, in need of help at second base, have reportedly signed Kazuo Matsui to a three-year deal worth $15-16M. The 32-year old switch-hitter will take over the job from the retiring Craig Biggio.
This is a really bad signing, I think. While Matsui did make some noise for the Colorado Rockies last season, that was primarily at Invesco Field. His 2007 home/road splits tell the whole story:
Home: .330/.381/.482/.864
Road: .249/.304/.333/.638
Matsui did not suddenly become a good hitter; he learned how to exploit Mile High Stadium. That being said, he’s a pretty good defensive second baseman and can run decently well. But $5M a season? Yikes. They already had a younger, cheaper in-house option in Chris Burke (career .249/.319/.377/.696). Just when I was ready to give Ed Wade some credit after the Lidge deal.
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December 1, 2007 at 1:15 am
walt
Burke is damaged goods. His shoulder is f-ed up. If you have some spare time, check out Burke’s gamlog after he injured his shoulder (Aug. 06′). It is really, really scary.
December 1, 2007 at 5:55 pm
redsoxtalk
Hey, thanks for the heads up, Walt. You’re absolutely right, Burke hasn’t had one hot streak since August 2006. Not one. You gotta wonder why the Stros still let him play if he’s that hurt?
I still gotta think there are cheaper alternatives out there to KazMat who could be decent. How about the all-but-forgotten Clint Barmes? He’s got a pretty good stick, and deserves a chance to play.
December 5, 2007 at 11:58 pm
redsoxtalk
Interesting that Burke is still generating some buzz in the trade market. He must be able to rehab whatever injury he has, or else that wouldn’t make sense.