Accepting that Kaz Matsui was a failed and costly experiment, the Mets paid the final price yesterday, eating approximately $4.6 million to deal the Japanese second baseman to the Rockies for utilityman Eli Marrero.
The final impediment to the deal was the Rockies getting approval from Matsui to remove elaborate clauses in his contract that, among other things, called for him to receive eight round-trip business class plane tickets from Tokyo to New York and a $25,000 housing allowance.
Matsui had a no-trade clause to any teams except the Yankees, Angels and Dodgers, but waived it, saying he wanted “not just a new start but a fresh start.” He also waived his contractual right not to be sent to the minors except for an injury rehab. The Rockies optioned Matsui to Triple-A Colorado Springs, with an eye on getting the infielder mentally straightened out over the next few weeks.
As part of the trade, the Mets agreed to pay the difference between what remains of Matsui’s 2006 contract (he’s making $8 million) and Marrero’s ($750,000).
Marrero, a 32-year-old from Cuba, is hitting only .217 with four homers and 10 RBIs. He is a versatile player who has started at catcher, first base, left field and right field this season. Most important to the Mets, he is not Matsui, whose career in New York ended as an expensive, boo-filled and emotionally draining disappointment.
“We’re looking at it as a chance to get a guy who adds flexibility for us,” Mets assistant GM John Ricco said. “By the same token, it gives Kaz a chance for a change of scenery, maybe turn things around.”
Matsui recently lost his second base job, and his average stood at .200 with one homer and seven RBIs at the time of the deal.
“I can’t really say what exactly was the reason why I couldn’t succeed in New York,” Matsui said. “I just want to say to Willie [Randolph], my teammates, the fans and to the organization that I personally am disappointed as well that I couldn’t produce and that I couldn’t live up to the quote-unquote expectations that were put on me.”
The Rockies are willing to take this risk because their scouts had loved Matsui in Japan, valuing him at about the same level as Hideki Matsui.