Selling KazMat back to Japan

Oh brother. Don't go there. Scroll through the threads on Kaz , particularly the Kaz on Vacation thread on page 2. Everyone stated their thoughts very "passionately" and you will find most of the answers you seek.

Not sure how he's viewed now in Japan. People I've talked to in person, not through this board, wave their hand and say no good. It's embarassing. Many feel he has been mistreated in NY by the press, fans, and management. He clearly feeds off the crowd adulations and the negativity. I suspect there is another reason for his performance, but who knows?

I think it's do or die time for him now. Can he rise to the occasion? I hope so, but hope only goes so far.

Don't you post on mets.com?

Nope, never posted on mets.com. I didn't even know they have a messageboard there.

However, I am the same guy who posted the "Kazuo Matsui = Bust" message here that created such a sensation last year.

And by the way, it is rude to refer to Kazuo Matsui as KazMat. Par for the Mets board, but not here.

I doubt at the moment he would be sold back to a team in the NPB.

Though it might be better for all people involved for Kaz to get a new start in another city. Let's see if Kaz can do something somewhere else first. I'm not convinced yet that he's a failure, he really hasn't played in a full year where he's been healthy.

It's been a sad situation for all parties involved, Kaz and the New York Mets. There been underpeforming and racist comments. Kaz can definetly hit on a major league level when healthy, his fielding needs work on.

Here's an e-mail I recieved from Robert Whiting about Kaz Matsui that is interesting about the situation. I like to thank Mr. Whiting for taking the time to respond to me and allowing me to use this e-mail:

All I know is that everyone else I knew who was qualified to make such a judgment two years ago predicted that Kaz Mastsui would be a big success. The only person I know who expressed reservations was Ihara, Matsui's former manager who complained that Kaz was letting injuries get the better of him and was losing his hunger (which I wrote about in MOI). I'm sure if Bobby Valentine had been managing the Mets he would have signed Kaz Matsui in an instant.

When I interviewed Kaz before he left for Mets camp in 2004, I asked him why he picked such a barn of a ballpark like Shea Stadium to play in. I said you'll never be able to hit many home runs there. He said that was ok. He wasn't home run hitter, anyway. And that he was going to bunt his way on base...use his speed. Steal bases. I said that wasn't exactly what everyone was expecting. He said he knew that and that the only thing he could do was his best.

The Kaz Matsui I saw in Japan was a terrific player. The Kaz Matsui I see in a Mets uniform looks like somebody else entirely. My guess on Kaz, and its only a guess, is that he just got psyched out. He wasn't used to the infield grass, the two-seam fastball, the NY crowds and the NY press, among other things.

Ichiro once said to me when I asked him about which Japanese ballplayers could make it in the states that the question was impossible to answer. A guy could have all the physical ability in the world and still not make it because of his mental makeup. Maybe that has been the problem with Kaz. It's certainly been the problem with a lot of big-name gaijin ballplayers in Japan. They have the ability; just get freaked out by the strangness of it all (think Dave Johnson, in his first season and a half with the Yomiuri Giants, for one. Clete Boyer said he thought Johnson was on Mars.)

Some of the NYTimes reporters I know keep telling me they think that Kaz is simply afraid--he's afraid of these big guys barreling down the pike to break up the double play; he's afraid of the inside high fastball. (Those are things he seldom saw in Japan.) But I'm sure that's not something you'll ever get his teammates to say publicly.

He's also had more than his share of phsyical problems--back, eyes, et. all What the mental connection there, if any, is unclear.

Or some players just perform better in one environment than another for whatever reasons (though the overall talent level is definitely higher in the majors, there have been established major leaguers who failed in Japan).

Have there been cases in the past where MLB-NPB players have switched countries mid-contract? How is this dealt in the MLB-NPB agreement? I reckon the Mets would have to buy out his contract for anything like that to happen.

- Have there been cases in the past where MLB-NPB players have switched countries mid-contract?

There has only been one incident where I can think of, Mariners pitcher Kaz Sasaki. He left the Mariners to return to the BayStars be closer to his family before the end of his contract in 2004. The Mariners decided to buyout his contract, then Sasaki had to pass major league waivers.

I hope Kazuo stays in America and plays for the Mariners so I can see him play, and I can tell he will break out in the next few games. Just watch. It's a working progress. Plus the dude has the best hair styles.

- I hope Kazuo stays in America and plays for the Mariners so I can see him play, and I can tell he will break out in the next few games.

I agree. During his short trip to Seattle, he had a decent fan showing (myself included) and he could concentrate on his game and let Ichiro be the target of fanaticism.

- There has only been one incident where I can think of, Mariners pitcher Kaz Sasaki. He left the Mariners to return to the BayStars be closer to his family before the end of his contract in 2004.

Gabe Kapler left NPB to join the Red sox earlier this year, as well.

- Gabe Kapler left NPB to join the Red sox earlier this year, as well.

Kapler left as a free agent though. Kaz Sasaki left as a player in the middle of his contract.

Your points on doing better elsewhere and a buyout, as well as one of the points by John Brooks (though I wish you would put that racist bit to bed already!) on his health was covered in this New York Daily New article on Kaz. [Link]

Randolph isn't in any rush to play Kaz because Cairo is playing well and he thinks he's the best choice at the moment. Joe McEwing had some good insights in the article and he is a stand up guy. That Kaz never got started with due to injuries is a good point, as is the low level of patience in New York, which is true, especially for a highly paid athlete.

In the final analysis, the stats speak for themselves. If Kaz can't get an opportunity in New York, he would be better of elsewhere. The issue of doing well elsewhere and embarassing the Mets management is raised in the article. Some players need a change of scenery, but the Wilpons can't afford another embarassment - they've had too many. They won't get much for Kaz or will have to subsidize his salary and deal with the possibility that he will do much better elsewhere. It's a lose-lose proposition for them. It's probably best for Kaz to go back to NPB if that's the case. Perhaps he can sign a one year deal with the option of returning to another MLB team if he has the opportunity. If he regains his form, the money and interest will be there. Now, he is a question mark.

He's just not in the Mets future plans, with Anderson Hernandez as a possible call-up and Cairo doing well. There needs to be an elegant, face saving parting for all concerned.

The Mariners have a plethora of talented shortstops and second basemen in their minor league system, and some of those prospects are playing with the parent ball club now or will be starting for them in 2006. Unless Jose Lopez's progression turns into an absolute downward spiral and the M's can acquire Matsui for cheap. Do not believe any rumors that list Matsui joining the Seattle Mariners.

I don't think Kaz is going anywhere except back to Japan, which is being reported in a couple of New York papers, based on another article in a Japanese paper. The Japanese paper rumored that he would play for the Yomiuri Giants next year.

He started at second today and has struck out 3 times in 4 at bats, leaving 4 runners stranded. The most recent at bat was with a 1-1 tie, runners at first and second. The last strike had him swinging at a ball near his shoelaces. Wakarimasen.

Has anyone who continues to make excuses for Matsui actually seen him play? The man has no idea where the strike zone is, he doesn't know when to, or when not to, dive for a ball, and has been an absolute bust. Stop blaming the fans, the media, management, and everything else under the sun. Kaz is to blame! Why should he be exempt from critisism? I couldn't care less about his reputation in Japan if it has no bearing on how he'll perform in the majors. My only hope is that he actually plays well enough the final weeks of the season so that the Mets can send him packing somewhere else. Good riddance.

While I will say that it's possible that Kaz is simply a player who isn't capable of making the transition to MLB (though Orlando, NY seriously overstates that possibility in the previous comment), I am inclined to agree that the New York pressure has largely been the determining factor. Especially with Godzilla being so successful right across town.

Though his overly large contract might make such a move impossible, I would like to see Kaz get a fresh start next year somewhere in the midwest. The Cardinals or Royals would be good choices. Both cities have a reputation of embracing their players and not being fair-weather-fans. Even the Rockies could be an interesting choice, with the probable number inflation that Coors Field would give. Though Colorado doesn't have the fan reputation of Kansas City or St. Louis.

Unfortunately, I also feel that his contract is going to wind up being the deciding issue. He has a big-market contract. He is prohibitively expensive for anyone other than the Yankees or Red Sox, neither of whom are likely to take him.

So, unless the Mets feel like eating a large part of Kaz's remaining contract in order to get rid of him, I think he'll probably stay there. Which is unfortunate, because he'll probably ride the bench a lot of the time.

As a final remark to orlando, NY, I too hope he plays well enough that the Mets can move him. I'd love to see him join my Cardinals for next season. I think he's got the skills if he can find them.

Kaz has looked positively awful since coming back from the minors. People are really down on him. To conclude "he can't cut it" is wrong though. Last year, Kaz did pretty well for himself and had his best month, July, after seeing teams the second time around.

People forget just how mental a game baseball is. Kaz's head ain't into it and a change of scenery would do him well.

The NY papers are being tabloidish/childish with their rumors about Kaz going back to Japan. I know a couple of sportswriters and I can assure you of two things: they write to get people's attention and they certainly have no idea how to speak Japanese and thus know nothing about Japanese GM's or who to contact.

It's very unlikely Matsui will play with the Giants, as Nioka is doing a good job at shortstop. He's is a great player at shortstop and the Giants have Nishi at second leaving no room for Kaz with the Giants.

It's very unlikely, in my opinion, that Kazuo will be back in the NPB next year.

Nishi is batting .289 with 9 HRs and 29 RBI this year. Nioka is batting .279 with 13 HR's and 41 RBI this year. [Giants 2005 Stats - Borisov's Pro Yakyu]

Kaz has played rarely since coming off the DL. This isn't helping him at all. If he isn't going to play he needs to be traded (which would make it a win-win situation for all parties involved). The Mets have Anderson Hernandez waiting in AAA, so Kazuo will probably have even less chances come September. Kaz isn't being helped by being benched, his trade value isn't going to turn around by being benched. He's 1 for 6 since coming off the DL (August 9th). [Game Log - MLB.com]

A trade is in everyone's best interest here, Kaz needs a new start in a new city. This situation has been an unforunate one for both sides (Kaz and the New York Mets). A trade to a team like the Royals, SF Giants, LA Angels, or the Rockies would be great for Kaz. Seattle would be another great destination for Kaz, but the Mariners are loaded with a ton of minor league prospects at second base and shortstop.

That last strikeout yesterday didn't help him with the people of the Dodgers. I'm becoming upset at him because he's letting simple things get to him. Looking at his numbers in Japan and seeing his numbers in the majors is an embarrasment. I'm a Mets fan and gave him some time to adjust, but he's doing the same mistakes over and over again, and that's where all the hate comes from.

He continues to wait on the ball instead of driving towards the ball when he's fielding, and swings at breaking balls low and in. Yesterday he didn't swing at a low and in pitch but stood helplessly on a fat 1-1 fastball down the middle which he should've swung at.

His head is clearly not in the game and it's hurting his career and the team. He needs to be traded and play in the minors for some time. I know he was a all star in Japan, but he desperately need to gain some confidence in the minors before getting a shot in the majors again.

Riding the bench isn't helping his trade value, but the Mets have to put the best players on the field, and Kaz isn't one of them. He looks even worse at the plate than he did before the injury. He looks awful. Please consider for the moment the possibility that he is awful, rather than bringing up the same kind of posts deflecting responsibility.

... in the rocking chair with Q in the Continuum, where everything to be said has been said already.

I understand the Mets' situation and problem and respect it. Though Kaz will not be helped in this situation, Kaz will not turn around riding the bench. That's why I suggest the Mets trade him (so all sides can win). Kaz's playing time will decrease even more in September with Anderson Hernandez, so decreased playing time will do nothing but further the problem.

I saw Kazuo play for Seibu, and he was just amazing to watch. And now that he's in New York he's not even the same player he was with seibu. I think it has to do with all the constant booing and whining from the Met fans, and that can really take a lot out of a player. Maybe I'm wrong.

Anyways, I feel sorry for Kazuo, and he is still one of my favorites. I hope he goes back to Japan or a smaller MLB franchise (Kansas City, Colorado, Seattle).

I finally got to see Kaz play in person when the Mets played out in Oakland back in June. It was the only game of that series the Mets won. Kaz was playing second base and got a rally started with a double and made two great defensive plays at second base. On the last play of the game, though, he stood tough at second and got taken out hard by the baserunner to turn a double play.

I know that this hasn't been the norm with Matsui's time in New York, but Kaz really does have a lot of heart and talent. Why he hasn't been able to show that regularly as a Met is beyond me. Wrong place wrong time, I guess.

I'm sure he'll play more consistently with another team. As a lifelong Mets fan, I've seen it happen plenty of times.

The Giants haven't been known for making trades or FA signings to fill weak positions. In fact, positions don't seem to matter to them at all. And if they expect Kaz to have 300-30-30 Seibu level performance, they will probably sacrifice their own home-grown talent. (That doesn't mean he'll get back to his peak performance though, and he's turning 30 this year.)

There is an unsubstantiated report by Pete Gammons on ESPN that the Mets put Kaz on waivers, was claimed, and they pulled him back. Typically, this means they are testing the market for him.

Kazuo isn't going to get playing time. He pinch hit tonight and sacrificed the guy to third with a fly ball to center. He was booed heavily.

It's time to end this misery. Without any more debate, please, on the causes, it is painfully obvious this isn't working for all concerned. He needs to be moved, hopefully in a way that creates some dignity for both parties.

Here's an interesting story in the New York Post on Beltran. I post it for 2 reasons. Beltran has performed below expectations. The fans had started to boo him regularly. Then the accident with Cameron. When he came back last night, he got a standing ovation. He was relaxed and played some great small ball. The change in fan attitude was not due to the small ball. He didn't hit any homers. The fans appreciated his sacrifice - team before self. He made a big statement with deeds, and in doing so, has likely redeemed himself with Met fans and won them over.

Outsiders coming in, even Piazza, were scrutinized and booed for months until he caught fire and won the fans over. Now he is a legend.

The take-away is two fold. Thankfully, for all the miserable selfish MLB players like Sheffield, there are guys like Beltran who play the game the way it is supposed to be played, not just on the field, but in their personal actions. Team before self - appreciated in North American as it is in Japan. That goes a long way in defining "baseball purity."

Second, on Kaz, he unfortunately, for many reasons, didn't get the opportunity to demonstrate what heart he has. He had no positive defining moment, like this, with the Mets. All people remember is a guy mysteriously injured frequently and spending a lot of time in Florida. Sure, people didn't like his play, but he did not have the chance to show a heart of a lion. To distill it down, that's what New Yorkers want to see. Maybe like gambatte, but with a positive end result.

Enduring fan boos is not the test. Just getting through it victimizes the player and makes things worse. You have to emerge from the crucible redefined by a significant event. It is not enough to endure and suffer the arrows. Kaz never got the chance for a positive defining moment.