Mets Land K Mat

December 6, 200322 yr

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb...s_mlb&fext=.jsp

Report: Matsui, Mets have a deal

By Patrick Mulrenin / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- The Mets could be getting their own Matsui soon.

According to Saturday's The New York Times, Japanese shortstop Kazuo Matsui has negotiated with several Major League teams, and an official of one interested club said Friday night that Matsui had a deal with the Mets. Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem, could not be reached for comment, and the Mets' chief operating officer, Jeff Wilpon, declined to comment on Matsui.

And according to Saturday's New York Post, Matsui's options may be dwindling. The Dodgers were rumored to be Matsui's top choice, but GM Dan Evans confirmed to The Post on Friday that Matsui was not a top priority and that "there are other things we're exploring."

The Post reports that the Mets have extended an offer of roughly three years and $23 million to Matsui.

The Angels, Yankees, Mariners and Red Sox have also been rumored to be in the mix.

"I think the decision will be made sooner than I thought," Matsui told the Japanese media on Thursday.

Tellem, told The Times on Thursday that Matsui "was interested in the Mets and in becoming the second player named Matsui to play in New York."

Tellem represented outfielder Hideki Matsui (no relation) last season when he signed a three-year deal worth $21 million with the Yankees.

Duquette returned from the Dominican Republic on Friday after visiting with shortstop Jose Reyes. The 20-year-old phenom was reportedly asked to move to second base, should the team sign a shortstop.

"They had a very good meeting and they were happy with his reaction," Peter Greenberg, Reyes's agent, told The Times after speaking with Reyes and the Mets. "He took it as everybody thought he would. It wasn't his first choice and he's never played second base in his life, but if they felt it was the best thing for the team, he'd do it."

Reyes showed plenty of promise in his first season, hitting .307 with five homers, 32 RBIs, 47 runs scored and 13 stolen bases in 69 games with New York.

By comparison, the 28-year-old Matsui hit .305 with 33 homers and 13 stolen bases in a full season with the Seibu Lions. Like Reyes, he has a combination of speed and power, and will likely serve as a leadoff hitter in the Major Leagues.

Since losing out to Florida in signing free agent second baseman Luis Castillo, the Mets put much of their focus on Matsui. The Mets have used Bruce Wilpon, the son of principal owner Fred Wilpon and a Tokyo resident, to help persuade Matsui to sign with the Mets.

Pitchers Al Leiter and John Franco got a first-hand look at Reyes last season and were immediately impressed with his range and arm. Leiter said Wednesday that he played against Matsui in an All-Star Game in Japan in 1998 and compared him to Houston's Craig Biggio. He endorsed Reyes moving to second base, citing the the Yankees' Alfonso Soriano made a similar move with Derek Jeter at shortstop, if it meant acquiring Matsui.

"If we're bringing in a guy who's a 10-time All-Star in the equivalent of [the Japanese] major leagues over there, who is a superstar, I think Jose either can wait or make the adjustment easily."

Franco has not seen Matsui play, but he was bowled over by Reyes' ability, especially in the field.

"I'd hate to see them move him because I think he's a future Hall of Famer, maybe," Franco said. "[The organization] has built him up so much to be the shortstop of the future.

"I haven't seen Matsui play, but I hear he's pretty good. I got a glimpse of Reyes last year and he just puts a smile on your face. He does everything you need to do as a shortstop.

"I'm sure the baseball people will make the right decision, but as a pitcher, you'd hate to see him moving from short. Let's put it this way, the only way you want to see him out of short is if A-Rod [American League MVP Alex Rodriguez] comes."

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Kazuo does walk and strikes out a lot...it appears the Mets have reacquired Rey Sanchez...okay maybe not that, but if H Mat hit 50 homers and bat .330 in Japan, what is someone who hit .300 with 30 homers going to do in America? Matsui hit .287 with 16 homers in America. K Mat will probably do worse.

He will be no Oresetes Destrade