Astros Close To Kaz Matsui Deal?

UPDATE: Ken Rosenthal notes that the Astros are close to a deal with Geoff Blum, and believes the Astros are behind both the Rockies and Cubs for Matsui.

Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News is reporting that Kaz Matsui "appears headed to the Astros."  Maybe Ed Wade will save the Cubs from themselves.  The Cubs were reportedly going to offer Matsui a three-year pact.

Ringolsby adds an interesting twist: the Astros and Rockies could swap second basemen.  The Rockies like Chris Burke, and he will probably be deemed expendable if Matsui is signed.  Seems to me there’s a decent chance Burke matches Matsui in production next year at a much cheaper price.

Ringoslby also notes that Jason Kendall is "finalizing a deal with Milwaukee."  Tom Haudricourt confirms the deep stages of the talks.  To me this seems to be another case of change for the sake of change.  Maybe the Brewers weren’t pleased with Johnny Estrada, but Kendall has his own glaring deficiences as a starter.