Kaz Matsui Rumors

Ed Wade On Biggio, Bagwell, Matsui, 'Pen

Astros GM Ed Wade told Houston Chronicle readers that he doesn't expect Craig Biggio or Jeff Bagwell to become the team's next manager. Here are the details from Wade's online chat with fans: The Astros are looking for an experienced manager who relates well with players. Wade expects Kaz Matsui to be the team's everyday second baseman next year. Expect the Astros to be younger next year. Wade says he'd "love" to have LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde back next year, but doesn't say whether he thinks the club has a realistic shot at re-signing either free agent-to-be. The Astros...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Indians, Delgado, Harper, Matsui

Here's some links to kick off your Saturday... Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Indians have requested that MLB run DNA tests on a few international players the team is negotiating with to confirm their identities. The Tribe got burned when 17-year-old shortstop Jose Ozoria turned out to be 20-year-old Wally Branyan last year. Michael Baron of MetsBlog.com says that Carlos Delgado hasn't really talked to the Mets' front office about returning next year, but he'd love to come back. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo breaks down the challenges facing Bryce Harper heading into the 2010 Draft. The...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Rangers, Brewers, O'Dowd

A few links for Saturday morning... Nolan Ryan could buy into the Texas Rangers according to this MLB.com article by T.R. Sullivan. ESPN.com's Buster Olney points out that the Rangers have the resources to "out-bid others for the likes of Erik Bedard" if they decide to trade for pitching help. Brewers GM Doug Melvin said once again that he's not looking outside the organization for second base help, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Melvin said he's happy with Craig Counsell at second in the absence of Rickie Weeks. Now that the Phillies hope to acquire an impact pitcher, Matt Cerrone...   Continue Reading

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Dodgers Scrambling for Infield Help

With veteran infielders Nomar Garciaparra and Jeff Kent both likely to miss opening day, the Dodgers are scrambling to find themselves some backups. Ken Rosenthal says that since the Astros are unlikely to trade Mark Loretta while Kaz Matsui is out, L.A. is considering Ron Belliard of the Nationals and Esteban German of the Royals. Another possibility, Morgan Ensberg, seems unlikely, as the Yankees added him to their 40-man roster yesterday. Joe Crede of the White Sox and Brandon Inge of the Tigers are both probably too expensive. This could impact roster decisions Los Angeles will make on Monday, when...   Continue Reading

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Astros Rumors: Patterson, Loretta

If 30-year old righty John Patterson clears waivers today, Ed Wade will give him a call. Patterson hails from Orange, Texas and was released by the Nationals on Thursday. You can read about Patterson's injury-packed history here. In other Astros news, Wade is not likely to deal infielder Mark Loretta, despite alleged interest from the Dodgers. The Dodgers want Loretta to sub for perennially injured 3B Nomar Garciaparra, who will not be ready to go by opening day. However, there may be wishful thinking going on in Los Angeles, as the Astros are also coping with an unpleasant injury to...   Continue Reading

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Rockies Rumblings: Barmes, Sullivan, Podsednik

While talking to reporters Saturday, Rockies General manager Dan O'Dowd tried to make it clear he has no plans to trade infielder Clint Barmes. His name recently surfaced in rumors with the Angels and Orioles. However, according to the Denver Post, O'Dowd's reaction was decidedly less definitive regarding the possibility of dealing reserve outfielder Cory Sullivan. Why? It's likely due to the torrid spring of Scott Podsednik, who on Saturday made a "full tilt, horizontal to the ground, fully extended" diving catch (this according to manager Clint Hurdle) to rob Rangers' DH Jason Botts of an hit. This spring Podsednik...   Continue Reading

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Rockies Rumors: Iguchi, Grudzielanek, Rusch, Fukumori

UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 12:20am: Troy Renck says that if the Rox do acquire a second baseman, Dan O'Dowd is ready to trade both Clint Barmes and Jamey Carroll. The Cardinals, Marlins, and Indians would be suitors for those two. FROM 12-5-07 at 10:09pm: MLB.com's Thomas Harding checks in with a slew of new Rockies rumors. The Rockies have their eye on Tadahito Iguchi and could offer him a two-year deal. However, Iguchi is craving a contract similar to Kaz Matsui's three-year, $16.5MM pact. Should one bad contract beget another one? Mark Grudzielanek can be had, but the Rox aren't interested...   Continue Reading

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Astros Sign Kaz Matsui

UPDATE, 12-2-07 at 4:30pm: The Matsui signing is official at three years, $16.5MM - even more than we thought. How is a signing like this even possible? Was there actually a group of executives who all agreed that this move was smart? The speed obsession is perplexing. FROM 11-29-07 at 11pm: Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 reports had it first: the Astros have signed second baseman Kaz Matsui to a three year deal worth $15-16MM. Ed Wade saved Jim Hendry from himself. Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald and Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle confirm the signing...   Continue Reading

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MLB Trade Rumors: Astros Sign Kaz Matsui

Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 reports had it first: the Astros have signed second baseman Kaz Matsui to a three year deal worth $15-16MM. Ed Wade saved Jim Hendry from himself. Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald and Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle confirm the signing. Richard Justice speculates that the 'Stros could shop Chris Burke now, and maybe even package him with Luke Scott. Matsui is the early favorite for worst free agent signing of the winter. He is probably not worth half the money, and a three-year commitment for him is insane. Since he joined..   Continue Reading

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Unfounded Rumor: Kaz Matsui

UPDATE, 11-28-07 at 10:45am: Buster Olney says talks for Matsui are indeed picking up, and the Cubs are in the thick of things. He notes that if a team is dead set on acquiring a left-handed hitting middle infielder, its options are limited. It's possible the Astros are still talking to Matsui. FROM 11-28-07 at 8:30am: Since last night, about a dozen people have emailed me about a supposed Denver radio station report. This report purportedly claimed Kaz Matsui had signed with the Cubs for three years and $14MM. However, none of the emailers had actually heard the report with..   Continue Reading

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