Cubs fans, do you want Kaz Matsui?

I'm not a Cubs fan, but I'll tell Cubs fans what they should want!

Last year, Kazuo Matsui was the exact definition of an average major league hitter, with an EqA of .260. He was also an excellent defensive 2B at +14 FRAA, and has been above-average in the field every year of his career. Last year, Matsui was worth 4.7 wins (by WARP1) to the Rockies. If his presence squeezes Fontenot (2.5 WARP1 adjusted for full season) or Ryan Theriot (2.1 WARP1), then this is a pretty good move at the right price. It's essentially buys the Cubs a couple of extra wins.

Now back to what I was working on.....getting Jerry Owens deported from MLB.....

Gosh guys, let me put down my cell phone for a second. Look, last year I got DeRosa, a middling middle aged middle infiedler who can also play other positions. We also were suprised by the development of Theriot and Fontenot into similar players last season. But I was very concerned about depth at the all important utitly position. So I went out and traded Jacque Jones (and some cash - I never trade away players without including cash) for this Infante guy - who is like a poor mans Theriot. But because I am the hardest working man in baseball, I could not stop. Kaz Matsui is a big, big target for me to focus on right now. Issues like a RF or a starting pitcher for the front of the rotation, or a closer - those things can wait until later. Kaz is the guy we need to get. Even moreso when you take into account that we can no longer count on Ronny Cedeno to be a middle infielder since he will be backing up Pie in CF. Trust me people, in the 12 years that I have been with the Kubs, have I ever let you down?

I'm not particularly impressed by Matsui -- he's *very* average. I know they want some lefthanded sticks in the lineup, but the guy could only hit .288 in Colorado -- a place where armless guys have averages above the Mendoza line. His speedy, which would be a plus, but he's also 32, which is a ripe time for things like hamstring injuries.

Maybe if he leads to Fukudome, OK, but it seems like an expensive price to pay for a babysitter.

Alll.....Vely Crevah....Matsui rooors Fukudome to Chicago

I kinda like dem Cajun boys, uh-huh...woo-weee...

Hey, the more jacked up names....the better

Just stay away from Peterson's....

Why give a position player who is just average a multi year contract? There are free agents like Matsui available every year. The only time you give a free agent position player a multi year contract if you are convinced he is one of the best players at his position in the league

what a joke ,hendry is so cluless what is so hard about geting contact hitters around lee and ramerez we had enough of this crap we need on base people not guys who try to hit 500 ft homers every at bat even the pitchers are swinging for the fences enogh is enough make me the G M i will do it for free all these guys get paid so much money and they are a joke all chicago teams are stuck with potatoe heads from the owners to the GM'S and the managers i am so ashamed to be a chicago sports fan right now these teams cant beat high school teams what a joke

This is another stupid Hendry move. DeRosa was very good last year at 2B, so they don't need another 2B. They need an experienced CF because Pie looked overmatched last year. Pie is the Cubs version of Tyrus Thomas. An athletic guy who has very little baseball skills, just like Thomas has very little basketball skills. Like most teams, the Cubs could always use more pitching so pitching and CF should be there priorities.

We have more pressing needs than spending millions for a slight upgrade over Theriot. I don't understand this one at all.

hendry gets burned by every G M in base ball he trades maddax hall of famer for a inept izturits and to top it off he even pays part of mad dogs sallary and recently did that in the jones deal if the cubs would stop letting him do that they could save enough money to pay A-rod how do these guys get these jobs i dont get it he cant be this stupid and by the way great job signing marquis wow what a stud the fans need to get together pich in few thousand a piece and buy the cubs and be fan owned like the packers anyone interested email me at arepairquest at yahoo.com lets do it

The Cubs don't need another average infielder. The Cubs need another starter and a solid, reliable reliever. That, and a veteran centerfielder who can anchor the outfield, someone like Hunter or Rowand.

Not worth the airfare to Los Angeles.Get a left-handed center fielder who can hit.

I'd like to see Pie flourish, I really would. I think he has the talent, but it seems that the Cubs have a fundamental organizational problem: they cannot seem to develop talent in-house, or simply aren't interested in it. Who was the last Cubs prospect that turned into a legitimate every-day player? Mark Grace?

Pie won't succeed unless Lou can live with some growing pains and stick with him. He needs a full season, not 50 or 100 at-bats after a call-up, especially if management keeps singing his praises as the CF of the future.

That said, how many more middle infielder/utility players can a team get? I didn't really understand getting Infante, who hit what, .260 or something? We need somebody in RF and I'd like another starting pitcher. Or at least a starting pitcher not named Ryan Dempster.

we could have Mad Max's Fukudome out in right field....kinda like Andre's Army....(I used to call em hawks homos)

MattSuey should be #26

bring back andy frain....I think I'm ready for em this time

You've got to be kidding....how many middle infielders does 1 team need????Stay with Fontenot and Theriot....and get some outfielders who can hit!!!

Only if it gets us Fukudome. Sorry but I'm going to change the subject. I just read that not only did the White Sox lose Tori Hunter to the Angels but they were about to waste almost $20 million on S. Linebrink. Kenny, Kenny, Kenny. Linebrink got lit up in the NL Central last year. He was 2-3 with a 3.55 in the Central. he gave up 27 hits in 25 innings. Bad. He sucked in 2006 too. If he stunk in our division, can you imagine what the AL hitters are going to do to him. No Tori Hunter and Linebrink added to an already dismal bullpen. Reason to give thanks on this Thanksgiving.

Matsui average hitter at best ,if he produces like he did with Rockies certainly would be a plus. He really was awful with Mets & have a feeling knowing cubs luck for acquiring deadbeats ( Hundley,Iztuiris etc. etc.) he'll go back to being same with Cubs.

Great point Scott!

Let's stick with Fontenot and Theriot (two guys who can't hit), and get some outfielders who can hit!!! (because Alfonso Soriano and Cliff Floyd sure can't!)

Why doesn't he bring back Neifi? Or I bet Lennie Harris could use some at bats. Maybe the cubs could set their sights a little bit higher and get someone that can drive in some runs or play a position besides second base. But hey what do I know, I'm just a fan, from a family of fans, that has been watching and waiting for 4 generations for the cubs to win something. Go ahead and pick up a couple of role players, put up a couple more signs, raise the ticket prices and hope attendance doesn't tank before the team buyers get done looking at the book. What else is new? Teams on the coast sign anybody good lateley???

Sure...........................................
but as long as there are fans who think that Theriot and Fontenot
are the keys to the Cubs success, nothing really matters. At least we are not the WhiteSox. That's what keeps me positive.

Can they get some pitching? How about just one pitcher.

I guess that's on Jim's honeydo list but I would sort that out before all the moneys gone on average dudes with cool names.

Get him because the Cub "fans" will love having another so-so player that they can give a cutesy pie nick name to. Obviously winning is not at the top of the list for either the Cubs ownership or their fans so what difference does it make?

College Football Blog?

I can't think of a local angle on it myself though so maybe not.

Big weekend never the less for the fanatic.

My upset: ND over Stanford. I am basing this on sheer hope Ha-ha

I'd call Mizzou but their win won't be an upset.

I totally agree with Joe H. The Cubs need a lefthanded slugger for RF and somebody in centerfield who can hit, has an eagle eye at the plate and can steal bases. Theriot and Fontenot are a great combination, as proved during a Cub streak last year. I hope Hendry doesn't screw that up. He should go after Fuku...., a very good left handed hitter. Lee's OK, and Ramirez is superman.

And keeping Soriano in the lead-off spot is just plain stupid. He's being paid millions and also dictating where he bats in the lineup. He should bat third because of his speed and power.

The catching problem is solved big-time, with Soto's rifle-arm and slugging potential.

Does anyone think Kerry Wood will be back as a middleman?
He should be the closer if his arm can hold up. Pitching frequently is maybe what he needs to strengthen his arm.
He looked awesome in '07.

Matsui, no. Fuku..., yes.

Joe

I should have bet the farm.

This guy hendry puzzles me.He makes some good moves then makes absolutly stupid ones.Matsui? Fukodome who?Try getting an established outfeilder or an established starting picher!!God what dose it take? You or i could do a better job.Go get Arrond Rowand or Cabrerra or a good starting pitcher.Hello? Jim Hendry?Anybody in there?