Kazuo Matsui's 2003 MLB Prospects

mougalian · 12-19-2002, 05:29 AM

All the current talk of Japanese Players crossing the Pacific has centered on Hideki Matsui to the Yankees and Nori Nakamara to the Mets. I was wondering if anyone had heard if Kazuo Matsui had decided on what he might do for the upcoming 2003 season. (The discussions on http://japanesebaseball.com have been slow lately...)

LeGrandOrange · 12-19-2002, 06:18 AM

Welcome to the forum, moug...

Kazuo is the shortstop, right? I think I recall hearing an awful lot about him before...and I'm pretty sure I'm not thinking of Gojira here.
I haven't heard anything about him in awhile though.

Max Power · 12-19-2002, 06:49 AM

He's not eligible for free agency until after the 2003 season.

mougalian · 12-19-2002, 11:59 AM

Thank you for the kind welcome, LeGrandOrange. Yes, Kazuo Matzui is the SS for the Seibu Lions who became the first 30-30 player in NPB last season (I believe...)

I realize he's not eligible for free agency until 2003 but I was wondering if anyone had any information about the Seibu Lions posting him for the 2003 season. He achieved the 30-30-30 levels he wanted to, but after a disappointing finish to this past season in the NPB, I know he talked about returning to win the championship with Seibu this coming season. Does anyone know if there's a deadline for Japanese Players making the decision to come to MLB? I assume for the 2003 MLB season he'll need to decide sooner rather than later if he doesn't wait for FA.

WiredTiger · 12-19-2002, 01:11 PM

Welcome mougalian. Matsui should be a very good ball player in the US. It will be interesting to see if his skills translate as well as Ichrio. Yankee stadium would be a good fit for him because of the short right field porch but it would be a lot of pressure.

cubfan33 · 12-19-2002, 07:42 PM

To date, Little Matsui hasn't been posted and seems to be leaning to returning to Japan for another year, then coming as a free agent. Look at the difference in money between Ichiro and Godzilla, even with the depressed market Godzilla negotiated in and essentially with only one team. There is no deadline for posting and the last couple times it has happened, the bidding has started in late January.

Duque · 12-19-2002, 08:21 PM

I see Kaz Matsui being a good fit with the Dodgers - they'll have a hole at short, and could definitely use the offense. They might well have some extra cash to throw around come 2003 as well.

gyb13 · 12-20-2002, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Duque
They might well have some extra cash to throw around come 2003 as well.

yup, they freed it up in the hundley/hermanson for karros/grudzielanek deal

rk_michael · 12-20-2002, 12:38 PM

The Mariners were rumored to be very interested in Kaz Matsui. I'm sure the Dodgers would be as well, and it will be interesting to see how his arrival to the US turns out (as he undoubtedly has the skills to be a very good player in the US).

12-19-2002, 05:29 AM	#1
mougalian Having A NetShrine Cup Of Coffee Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Los Angeles via Boston Posts: 13	Kazuo Matsui's 2003 MLB Prospects All the current talk of Japanese Players crossing the Pacific has centered on Hideki Matsui to the Yankees and Nori Nakamara to the Mets. I was wondering if anyone had heard if Kazuo Matsui had decided on what he might do for the upcoming 2003 season. (The discussions on http://japanesebaseball.com have been slow lately...) __________________ Come out and see my Amazin' Mets. I been in the game a hundred years but I see new ways to lose I never knew existed before. -- Casey Stengel

12-19-2002, 06:49 AM	#3
Max Power NetShrine Creator & Curator Join Date: May 2002 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 5,548	He's not eligible for free agency until after the 2003 season. __________________ Steve, Forum Administrator "They come and they go, Hobbs. They come and they go." That's why there's NetShrine.com

12-19-2002, 11:59 AM	#4
mougalian Having A NetShrine Cup Of Coffee Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Los Angeles via Boston Posts: 13	Thank you for the kind welcome, LeGrandOrange. Yes, Kazuo Matzui is the SS for the Seibu Lions who became the first 30-30 player in NPB last season (I believe...) I realize he's not eligible for free agency until 2003 but I was wondering if anyone had any information about the Seibu Lions posting him for the 2003 season. He achieved the 30-30-30 levels he wanted to, but after a disappointing finish to this past season in the NPB, I know he talked about returning to win the championship with Seibu this coming season. Does anyone know if there's a deadline for Japanese Players making the decision to come to MLB? I assume for the 2003 MLB season he'll need to decide sooner rather than later if he doesn't wait for FA. __________________ Come out and see my Amazin' Mets. I been in the game a hundred years but I see new ways to lose I never knew existed before. -- Casey Stengel

12-19-2002, 07:42 PM	#6
cubfan33 NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,359	Posting To date, Little Matsui hasn't been posted and seems to be leaning to returning to Japan for another year, then coming as a free agent. Look at the difference in money between Ichiro and Godzilla, even with the depressed market Godzilla negotiated in and essentially with only one team. There is no deadline for posting and the last couple times it has happened, the bidding has started in late January. __________________ UTK available only at www.baseballprospectus.com "I was pulling for Pete and agreeing with (commissioner) Bud Selig that Pete should be eligible for the Hall of Fame," said Giles, now chairman of the Phillies. "Bud was close to making him eligible right after his meeting with Pete (November 2002). Right after that, Pete got into tax trouble (in California), and that delayed the process." - Phillies Chairman Bill Giles in the Dayton Daily News, January 25th, 2004.

12-19-2002, 08:21 PM	#7
Duque NetShrine's Desperado Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Southern CA Posts: 2,638	I see Kaz Matsui being a good fit with the Dodgers - they'll have a hole at short, and could definitely use the offense. They might well have some extra cash to throw around come 2003 as well. __________________ Bad Andy It's such a fine line between stupid and clever.

12-19-2002, 06:18 AM	#2
LeGrandOrange Membership Suspended 4/11/04 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 3,783	Welcome to the forum, moug... Kazuo is the shortstop, right? I think I recall hearing an awful lot about him before...and I'm pretty sure I'm not thinking of Gojira here. I haven't heard anything about him in awhile though.

12-19-2002, 01:11 PM	#5
WiredTiger Guest Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The city of Kaline, Cobb and Greenberg Posts: 3,395	Welcome mougalian. Matsui should be a very good ball player in the US. It will be interesting to see if his skills translate as well as Ichrio. Yankee stadium would be a good fit for him because of the short right field porch but it would be a lot of pressure.

12-20-2002, 12:38 PM	#9
rk_michael NetShrine Fan Favorite Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 86	The Mariners were rumored to be very interested in Kaz Matsui. I'm sure the Dodgers would be as well, and it will be interesting to see how his arrival to the US turns out (as he undoubtedly has the skills to be a very good player in the US).

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