Mets to Trade Matsui

The deal is done, just waiting for the commish approval. I've read that he's going to the Rockies' AAA team.

Well, it's about time they traded him. Hopefully now he can relax and play like he used to play. As a Mets fan, he was killing us with his production, but I hope he does well in the future.

It's unfortunate that Matsui never got on track with Mets. He fell into the same trap that Irabu fell into it seems. There was too much hype, too much pressure in New York, and a good start quickly fell apart and shattered their confidence.

This season has been a really tough one for Japanese players in MLB. I don't ever recall a season like this.

Hideki Matsui, who never gets hurt, breaks his wrist.

The longtime MLB veteran Hideo Nomo never even gets called up to MLB and gets released.

Shinji Mori signs with the Devil Rays but gets hurt even before the season begins.

Kaz Tadano hasn't even been called up once this season.

And now this. I don't think it can get any worse for Japanese players.

The only silver lining has been Jojima's smooth transition to MLB, Ichiro's hitting, and Otsuka's success as a closer in Texas.

It's a done deal [MLB.com]. Sayonara Kaz and good luck.

If there is a place where Kaz can hit, it is at mile high Coors field. I think he is done.

Will he be a bench player when he gets called up with Barmes at short and caroll at second? It's good hear that he's getting a change of scenary, though. His numbers should improve being in Coors field.

Where will he play, shortstop or second base? That's the question.

His numbers will improve? If he bats 8th or 9th they should.

No pressure? The Rockies are not out of it. They still could win that division, or perhaps a wild card. We know they didn't trade for the future, because this will be Kaz's last MLB season. Any way, it's good bye to Kaz.

He made a ton of money, plus a lot of perks from the Mets. The amazing thing is that the Rockies' baseball front office scouting always liked Kaz as a player. This is surely in their mind a steal.

I guess it's a cheap gamble for the Rockies. Hopefully the change of scenery is what is needed for Matsui.

What about Takashi Saito Skinz? You forgot about him. Saito has been nothing but all-star Caliber for the Dodgers. Also, don't forget about Iguchi.

- What about Takashi Saito Skinz? You forgot about him. Saito has been nothing but all-star Caliber for the Dodgers. Also, don't forget about Iguchi.

I ment this to Kenny, sorry.

Barmes is coming back down to Earth, with a .212 average, and after watching Carroll for years in Washington/Montreal, I really don't believe he will keep up his .324 pace for long, even in Colorado. Carroll will fall down to the .270-.280 range, and doesn't offer much in power, speed, or anything much on offense either.

It's up to Kaz to develop in AAA right now. He's still only 30, and like Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said, it's tough for some to adjust to New York, and Kaz is one of them.

Colorado, I believe, is the right place for Kaz, as I've been saying that forever now here. The Rockies believe Matsui can be a top-of the order guy, and I still do, too. It's a low risk deal. For Eli Marrero, not a big loss. The ball right now is in Kaz's court. I still believe Kaz can persevere.

Whether Kaz just had trouble adapting to New York or with the MLB in general remains to be seen. But I wish him all the best. The humidor for Coors balls seems to have turned it into a neutral park from an extreme hitters' park. Weather's wraming though, so we'll see.

Kaz did a remarkable job persevering with the Mets. Even his team mates acknowledged his hard work.

However, that is not enough. He has to perform. He's in AAA to get his head straight. That thin Denver air will help him, but he has to help himself.