Question on Kazuo Matsui?

[wannabthechamp]

Will he be in yahoo drafts next year? Because when I was drafting in fantasy hockey this year, there was a player that hadn't played in a game in the NHL yet, and he wasn't available for drafting. Will Matsui be available?

[trevisc]

Big Matsui was available last year when we drafted..I don't see a reason why little Matsui won't be...

[DK]

Matsui should be there, I see no reason why not...

[mikcou]

Matsui will be there just as Matsui was there last year

[wannabthechamp]

Alright good, thanks.

I think he could be decent in the late rounds.

[swarmee]

Will he be in yahoo drafts next year? Because when I was drafting in fantasy hockey this year, there was a player that hadn't played in a game in the NHL yet, and he wasn't available for drafting. Will Matsui be available?

Well, although Hideki was there last year, Teixeira was not, so Kazuo is not a lock to be included, IMO. And Teixeira already had a major league contract, so I don't think it was an MLBPA name issue like we'd possibly see with Bonds next year.

[trevisc]

I think Matsui, Sr was there because of all the hype. Teixeira didn't have a position until camp broke did he? If i'm not mistaking it was a close race between him and Blaylock..


Matsui is already slotted to start at SS

[jonnyblack]

I think tex being excluded was an oversight by the novice baseball people at yahoo. One note on Kaz. In Art Howe's last two years at oakland, they were last in stolen base attempts. Last year, Art improved as the mets were 23rd in Stolen base attempts. They barely beat Juan Pierre, stealing a wopping 73 bases. Art Howe is not a small ball coach, so I think Kaz's speed and SB potential is highly suspect (see Roger Cedeno et all).

[Madison]

Will he be in yahoo drafts next year? Because when I was drafting in fantasy hockey this year, there was a player that hadn't played in a game in the NHL yet, and he wasn't available for drafting. Will Matsui be available?

Well, although Hideki was there last year, Teixeira was not, so Kazuo is not a lock to be included, IMO. And Teixeira already had a major league contract, so I don't think it was an MLBPA name issue like we'd possibly see with Bonds next year.

I agree.

I remember checking every day to see if Tex was added.

[Gang Green]

I think Kaz Matsui will put up good fantasy numbers. He was brought here to produce runs at the top of the lineup with Reyes. Think Pierre/Castillo. Art Howe's Oakland team didn't run because they were not constructed to run. They were an AL team with the DH and had Giambi, Chavez and Tejada knocking in all those runs with their mighty lumber. The Mets will have guys at the corner positions in Wiggington and Phillips who aren't power hitters. Rightfield is for now a complete enigma. If your 1st, 3rd and rightfielder aren't power hitters, you better be able to play small ball to create runs. Also, Kaz batted 3rd in his lineup in Japan and was expected to drive in runs. He can be alot more selective with what he swings at being at the top of the order. Being a savvy veteran, he can be a role model to Reyes on how to approach each at bat. On a different note, Cedeno's lack of stolen bases had to do with him being woefully out of shape and a sharp reduction in his skill. In essence, Cedeno didn't run because Cedeno stinks.