The failure of the Kaz Matsui signing has probably left most Mets fans with a negative impression about signing players from Japan.  Yet, Omar Minaya should look towards Japan this off season for a few pitching options to at least consider.

Junichi Tawaza is a 22 year old Japanese amateur that has already attracted attention from many MLB organizations.  Tawaza skipped Japanese draft in order to sign with a MLB team this off season, and the Mets should certainly be one of the teams thinking about him.  Tawaza is just like any other international free agent, and does not require a posting fee like many other Japanese players because he is not connected with any Japanese professional team.  Out of all the Japanese options, Tawaza brings the most upside and youth to the table.

Koji Uehara provides the flexibility of being both a starter and a reliever.  He was one of the top starters in Japan until 2007, when he was moved to the closer role.  As a closer he was phenomenal, and could definitely provide late inning relief to MLB clubs.

Kenshin Kawakami is probably the least appealing option among this trio.  Most people profile him as a 5th starter in the states, but unlike most other people with ’5th starter stuff’ he will at least have the advantage of other teams being unfamiliar with him.

The are many advantages to signing Japanese players.  First of all, there are the marketing incentives that many other teams have capitalized on in order to rake in some extra dough.  Second of all, especially for Uehara and Tawaza, free agents of similar talent this off season will likely cost the Mets a draft pick.  Minaya’s tendency to disregard the future ramifications of signing so many type A free agents is one of the primary factors causing the Mets’ farm system to be so depleted (the other main reason being Johan Santana).

I am not a scout, and cannot say for sure whether or not these players are really good enough to succeed in MLB. I merely implore the Mets brain-trust to do their due diligence in judging and considering the Japanese players.

According to the AP, former Mets 2B Kaz Matsui will undergo surgery for an anal fissure.  The expected recovery time is two weeks.

Jeez, what a funny sounding injury. 

The Houston Chronicle reports that Kaz Matsui, who was out due to a mystery ailment that was definately not hemorroids has been flown back to Houston. To treat his hemorroids.

He is expected to be able to play through it, though no word on how it will affect him once he’s benched for a better hitting second basemen.

In unrelated injury news, El Duque was injured in a freak Zombie attack before sunrise this morning. He is currently reporting no ill effects.

Astros.com reports that Kaz Matsui was benched for what definitely was not hemorrhoids, even if previous reports say otherwise. This injury was definitely not caused by the prolonged time he sat on the bench for not living up to expectations in New York, or the time he spent sitting in the stands at Shea because he was hurt.

This goes up there with Vince Coleman getting trapped by a tarp.

Former Met second basemen Kaz Matsui has finalized a deal with the Astros. The AP reports that Kaz will receive a 3 year deal for $16.5 million, and has a limited no trade clause.

A MVP in Japan, Kaz spent four seasons with the Mets where he hit a homerun in his first plate appearance in three consecutive seasons. Never quite living up the the expectations of the fans and management, Matsui struggled with injury off and on, going from everyday player to a platoon and eventually was replaced with Jose Valentin before being traded to Colorado for minor league catcher Eli Marrero.

Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald reports that the Houston Astros have come to terms with free agent 2B Kaz Matsui on a three-year, $15 million contract.

Matsui, 32, played for the National League-champion Colorado Rockies this year, batting .288 with 4 home runs, 37 RBIs, 84 Runs and swiped 32 bases.

In 213 at-bats outside of Coors Field, Matsui hit .249 with 0 home runs and 12 RBIs.

Good luck with all that.

Ken Rosenthal on Fox Sports reports that the Cubs are considering Luis Castillo along with Kaz Matsui to fill second base. The Mets and Astros are talking to Castillo as well.

Marty Noble, on MLB.com, writes that David Eckstein — not Luis Castillo — appears to be the Mets’ primary target for second base. However, as Hot Foot relayed from Adam Rubin on the New York Daily News this morning, Eckstein may want more than what the Mets are willing to offer.

Rubin writes that Eckstein is seeking a four-years, $36 million deal, similar to what Julio Lugo received last year from the Boston Red Sox.

MLB Trade Rumors relays a story from WGN Radio’s Dave Kaplan, who reported that the Cubs could complete a contract with second baseman Kaz Matsui this week.

Monday is the final day the Colorado Rockies have exclusive negotiating rights with three of their biggest free agents, second baseman Kaz Matsui, catcher Yorvit Torrealba, and reliever Matt Herges.

The Denver Post believes Matsui and Torrealba will likely test the free agency market with the Cubs expected to offer Kaz a three year deal and the Mets and Marlins prepared to offer Torrealba $4 million a year.

Herges limited opposing hitters to a .198 batting average, with a 2.96 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP.

The Denver Post reports that the Colorado Rockies are making a big push to re-sign Kaz Matsui and their catcher Yorvit Torrealba. Rockies General Manager Dan Mc Dowd said he’s prepared to make a multi-year offer to Torrealba.

The Mets have had interest in Torrealba, but have also kept Jorge Posada and Paul Lo Duca in their radar screen.

With last nights win, the Boston Red Sox have pretty much locked up the championship. So, if like me, you really didn’t want to see Kaz Matsui win a World Series before Wright and Reyes, you’re in luck.

If you’re a Rockies fan, well, sorry.

The Sox have combined for 25 runs while limiting Colorado to seven, five of which came in last nights loss.

As rain continues to fall in the Northeast, more look at ex-Mets as the Rockies placed Kaz Matsui on the 15 day DL with back spasms. 

Matsui was traded last season to the Rockies for Eli Marrero.  Kaz is currently batting .361 with 5 stolen bases.

I'm not going to lie: I was not a Kaz Matsui fan. I don't think there were many. Maybe it was NYC. Maybe it was the fans. Maybe it was just they way he was used. But for whatever reason, Kaz just never clicked in NY. But his best year with us (2004) wouldn't match up to the type of season he seems to be off to. He did lead the team in hits, doubles and triples that year, playing his natural position at short stop. But it all comes down to one thing: Kaz or Jose? Both perform their best as short stops. There's probably not a fan reading this that would take Kaz at his peak over Reyes at his.  All in all, it seems that the trade last year worked for everyone involved. Kaz seems to be performing better in Colorado. Valentin got to move up to the everday second baseman.  The Mets unloaded one of the last of Duquette's failed experiments.  And Eli…well ok, I guess Eli Marrero didn't really win in all this. He's currently on the Cards AAA team, the Redbirds.

Willie said today that Kaz will start the season on the DL, but they are hoping to have him back by their first weekend series.  Does anyone out there know where he lives, and we can crack his knees.  Bring in KEP