Matsui is probably the best defensive 2B of the bunch, and he can move to SS on a pinch. He may not have the bat, but he is versatile.
agreed, but given everett is already sitting there with the defense in place of the bat at a more important position, i'd sacrifice some defense to upgrade to iguchi's bat at least (esp. given that burke could produce similarly to matsui)
How is it obvious? I haven't seen much of the information flying around, and I've missed on this completely.
From everything I've heard, they preferred Castillo & Iguchi from the get-go. Castillo's out, Iguchi may want to go back to the ChiSox...so now Matsui's in the picture. Fits with Wade's offseason strategy of "multiple players at multiple positions".
The best thing about this would be 1. Bourne 18 stolen bases, caught stealing ONCE! 2. Matsui 32 stolen bases, caught stealing FOUR times, career 62 and 9!!! Pence, Berkman and Lee could see a lot of "runners on 2nd and 3rd" situations
Stolen bases have relatively little value in today's game. Those SB totals (even at that high success rate) are dwarfed by both players inability to get on base. With Bourn, there obviously is some upside, but Matsui is only going to get worse.
Stolen bases will always have value in the game of baseball. And I don't know where you got your crystal ball, but Kaz is gonna put a hex on you for saying that.
I think Matsui would be the fall back if we can't land Iguchi. I have my fingers crossed we get Iguchi and don't have to settle for Matsui and/or Burke...
Ed Wade is on the ticket and judging from his interview, I definitely don't think Matsui is on the way. He said as of now Burke is our second baseman and although he hasn't mentioned Matsui specifically, he seems more interested in adding a SP. He said they have "offers out there for guys" to add to the rotation.
At this point I'd be happy with Iguchi or Matsui. I've got my mind set on a Japanese secondbaseman and hope they trade Burke and Scott. One question, though. Now that Anderson and Bruntlett are gone, who would be our 4th outfielder? Palmeiro, Blum, Backe ? Maybe we need to keep Scott after all.
It might be the guy we just picked up: Yordany Ramirez. we signed him to a major league contract, so they must have faith he'll be ready to play in the bigs.
