The Cardinals are interested in left-hander Yuki Matsui, per a report from Natsuki Une of Yahoo! Japan.
Matsui, 28 next week, is a left-handed reliever who has been pitching in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball for the past 10 years. He’s appeared in 501 games in that time, posting an earned run average of 2.40 while recording 236 saves. Here in 2023, he’s been even more impressive, with a 1.57 ERA in 59 appearances while recording 39 saves. He struck out 32.4% of batters faced this year while walking just 5.9%. In addition to his excellent results, Matsui is notable for his size, listed at just 5’8″ and 167 pounds.
Though his frame may be atypical, it’s hard to argue with the results. It was reported a couple of weeks back that Matsui would explore signing with major league clubs and it seems like he is already garnering interest. Due to debuting at a young age, he is going to be a full free agent this winter and any signing club wouldn’t be required to pay a posting fee to the Rakuten Golden Eagles, the club he has played with for his entire career thus far.
Matsui has been a mainstay of MLBTR’s NPB Players to Watch series this year, with Dai Takegami Podziewski highlighting Matsui’s four-pitch arsenal, featuring a fastball, splitter, slider and curveball. The lefty reportedly had some trouble adapting to the ball in the World Baseball Classic, which is closer to the ball used in MLB. There’s always some uncertainty with foreign players since they are unproven in North America. Matsui’s size and issues with the WBC ball perhaps add to that, but clubs are often intrigued by the possibility of unearthing a hidden gem.
It seems the Cardinals are one such club, based on this report. That isn’t terribly surprising, since pitching was a notable weak spot for the 2023 club. The bullpen as a whole posted an ERA of 4.47 on the year, putting them 23rd in the league. They also traded impending free agents Jordan Hicks and Chris Stratton at the deadline. In terms of left-handers specifically, they have JoJo Romero, John King and Andrew Suárez on the roster. Romero finished the season strong but still has just 67 career games at the major league level. King has posted good results by keeping the ball on the ground but doesn’t get many strikeouts. Suarez had an ERA of 7.16 in the majors this year.
The Cardinals have plenty of work to do this winter, looking to add three starters to their rotation, but adding another lefty to their bullpen would be a sensible upgrade as well. They will reportedly make Matsui a formal offer after the Japan Series, the NPB equivalent of the World Series, which is scheduled for October 28 to November 5. Like the World Series, it’s a best-of-seven, meaning it could end earlier if it doesn’t go the full seven. But given Matsui’s excellent season in Japan, the Cardinals surely won’t be the only club interested. The Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs and Padres have also been scouting him, per the report. Matsui also reportedly has a four-year offer to stay with the Golden Eagles.
That would be a good signing as long as it’s not an overpay.
And as long as he can hold the ball.
And breathe………
Every FA is an overpay, because 29 other teams said that was too much.
But not every FA is a bad value. Some are even considered steals, even though, as you say, they were overpriced.
It’s great that they’re exploring all options, but this one seems pretty high risk. That’s a lot of mileage on a small frame. No harm in kicking the tires though.
You’re right he’s a small dude with a lot of mileage. It would be asking a lot to get him going right away if the Cardinals do sign him. The one upside is that he’s 28 years old, so he still has youth to work with.
He’s a fine signing if it’s for a year and the price of Fujinami last season. Something that doesn’t really hurt that bad if you have to DFA.
700 innings in his career. In other words, he’s a minor leaguer that took a little longer to reach the bigs. No more or less.
Of course the Cardinals are interested in Matsui. After the performance of the team in 2023, the front office better look closely at every option that is available, and to then choose wisely.
I mean everyone doubted Stroman…
Along with 29 other teams.
28 because the Braves don’t sign Japanese players…… Not since Kenshin Kawakama
They don’t even throw out feelers on Japanese players.
Oh wow, the Cardinals are interested in Yuki Matsui, the legendary 5’8″ lefty from Japan. I mean, who wouldn’t want a guy who’s only been pitching professionally for a decade and has an incredible 1.57 ERA this year? Not to mention, he struggled with a different baseball in the World Baseball Classic, which is basically the same as saying, “He’s really good, but maybe not in the U.S.”
But hey, it’s not like the Cardinals need a whole lot of pitching help, right? Their bullpen had a stellar 4.47 ERA last year, ranking 23rd in the league. And sure, they traded away some free agents at the deadline, but who needs experienced arms in the pen? Not to mention their existing lefties, one of whom has a whopping 67 career MLB games under his belt.
So, yes, let’s make Matsui a formal offer after the Japan Series because we all know that adding an unproven, smaller-than-average pitcher is the missing piece in the Cardinals’ World Series puzzle. I’m sure the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, and Padres are just shaking in their boots at the prospect of facing Matsui. Four-year offer from the Golden Eagles? Nah, let’s roll the dice with Matsui, the potential hidden gem.
Why are you always a sarcastic arse? Sure, no one move fixes any team, but it is an area of need. I’m sure you’d complain if they didn’t check in on him, too.
So Old York, you don’t think the Mariners should go for him?
@Ignorant Son-of-a-b
If the M’s need a bullpen piece and the price is right, sure, but don’t think this guy is the next Mariano Rivera.
I am guessing most teams are interested in him. Not sure how a 5’8″ reliever that doesn’t throw 100 will do in the majors.
He should have the TJ surgery now and get it over with.
Elective TJS is one of the more absurd suggestions I’ve read in recent years.
He’s got 214 ks in 152 IP over the last three years, that plays everywhere. Would be a big improvement to St. Louis’s back end
They would have to closerrs Hensley is a better if he pitches every other Day
5’8” and 167 lbs is a concern for a reliever, but 5’10” and 176 for a starter isn’t? The latter is Yamamoto, expected to sign for $200MM+.
If you look at each of their stats, which you may wish to……Matsui has been pitching since he was 18 and is now 28….10 years on that arm….while Yamamoto has significantly less wear and tear and is 25…….both may be a concern, but certainly there is a difference……
The cardinals may be interested in Matsui, but Matsui isn’t interested in the cardinals. There isn’t a free agent that is.
This is incredibly insightful. Thank you for your expertise. Now, grow up and try to stop being a clown.
If the Padres release Matt Carpenter, he would be very interested in returning to St. Louis as a free agent and you know it. You KNOW it Slider.
It’s funny because it’s true.
The real worry is if he can get a good grip on a mlb ball. Ball used in Japan smaller. Unless he has puny hands should be able to adapt.
Sounds like a Cardinal kind of FA; moderate ceiling, cheaper cost and medium risk. In other words, underwhelming.