KAZUO MATSUI'S CHOICE


it's one mismanaged large-market NL franchise or another

In Friday's NY Post, Mark Hale speculates that SS Kazou Matsui "could be a Met within 24 hours".

Continuing what's been an aggressive pursuit of the Japanese shortstop, Met GM Jim Duquette confirmed that the club has made Matsui a multiyear offer and expects an answer from him "in the next 24-48 hours."

If Matsui accepts the offer - which is in the three-year, $23 million range - he will play short with Jose Reyes moving to second. The Mets have discussed the shift with Reyes and the 20-year-old prodigy is fully on board.

If Matsui doesn't grab the Mets' initial offer, though, that doesn't mean there's no shot he'll come here. The Mets could always renegotiate with Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem, as they bid to have the dazzling Matsui captivate the city.

While speculation has been that the Dodgers and Angels are the favorites to land Matsui, Duquette believes the Mets are well in the mix.

"I'm getting the sense that we're one of the teams that he's definitely interested in," said Duquette.

In today's Japanese newspapers, Matsui said he's narrowed his list to four teams, declining specifics. But it's believed that besides the Dodgers, Angels and Mets, the Yankees also have a very real shot.

"I don't think it will take long to reach a decision," Matsui told the Japanese press.

The Mets, meanwhile, are trying to strike quickly, realizing that they might be able to ink Matsui while their competitors figure out their priorities. With a pending ownership change, the Dodgers can't add payroll. The Angels covet Matsui but may be holding out to see if Boston lands Alex Rodriguez and then trades Nomar Garciaparra.

Meanwhile, Baseballguru.com cites a Sports Nippon report that the Dodgers already have Matsui wrapped up.

According to Sports Nippon, family members surrounding Kazuo Matsui are saying that the superstar infielder has pretty much decided to throw in his lot with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Moreover, a formal statement to that effect is expected to be made sometime next week.

The report cites the fact that Los Angeles is home to tens of thousands of Japanese and Japanese-Americans and that the ballclub also has a Japanese trainer on its staff. In addition, the shortstop job is open and, with Mike Kinkade signing with Hanshin, Matsui will be able to wear his customary number 7.

If nothing else, we can spend the weekend reflecting on the end of the Mike Kinkade era in North America.


(Mike's brother Ruben, all smiles after negotiating the deal with the Hanshin Tigers)

But back to the Post for a minute, check out the following quotes from Assistant GM / unsigned reliever John Franco and team VP / overpaid starter Tom Glavine :

While John Franco expressed skepticism about Reyes' move to second ("The only way you want to see him out of short is if A-Rod comes") and questioned how Reyes might handle it, Tom Glavine believes that Reyes' wondrous athleticism and attitude would allow for a successful transition.

Glavine also praised the Mets' pursuit of a Reyes-Luis Castillo tandem (in which Castillo would have played second) but admitted his excitement over a Matsui-Reyes DP duo.

"If you're talking about Matsui at short and Reyes at second," Glavine said in a telephone interview, "that certainly could be just as dynamic."

What is up with the Wilpons' advisory committee (Franco, Glavine, Leiter) and why should ownership value their opinions any more or less than those of Pete Flynn? Have Franco's contributions to the Mets been so great that he'll forever deserve a roster spot that a younger player could fill (at a fraction of the price?).

Posted: Fri - December 5, 2003 at 04:33 AM      

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