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Matsui must produce or sit; by David Lennon, Newsday
Topic Started: Feb 20 2006, 04:17 AM (49 Views)
Gategem
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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - A mountain of luggage arrived Friday at the Tradition Field clubhouse for Kaz Matsui, with numerous duffel bags and cardboard boxes spilling over the edges of a wheeled cart. But with the second base job very much up for grabs in the next six weeks, Matsui had better not take too long settling in.

The Japanese infielder already has been evicted from his end locker of a year ago, replaced by veteran Bret Boone, and manager Willie Randolph made it clear Friday that he's not playing any favorites - even if the incumbent is making $8 million this year.

  "I view it as a real competition," Randolph said. "We're in a business where, you know what, there's no babies here. You go out, win the job and take it. I've been told by management, for the most part, that we're going to play the best people. Obviously, you've got to consider stuff like contracts - that's a reality of the game. But still, when it gets down to it, we're going to try and pick the guy that deserves to win the job."

Matsui could take the heat off the front office by dazzling Randolph during spring training, but this time of the year has not been kind to him. In 2004, when he was still a shortstop, Matsui sliced open a finger while fielding a ground ball, and the injury hurt his early adjustment to the majors. A year ago, Matsui was hindered by back problems, and that opened the door for veteran Miguel Cairo. Perhaps the biggest challenge for Matsui is simply staying on the field.

"It's a huge spring training for him," Randolph said. "The competition's going to be there. We have the young kid [Anderson] Hernandez, and [Jeff] Keppinger. That's going to be an interesting spot for us, but I feel real good about Kaz. I've said all winter long that he's going to have a good year for us, so we'll see."


Numbers game?

The Mets traded two creditable starters in Kris Benson and Jae Seo during the offseason, so it's not surprising that Randolph refused to guarantee a spot to the unreliable Victor Zambrano while discussing the rotation. When asked if Zambrano is a lock at No. 4, the manager shook his head.

"No, not necessarily," Randolph said. "You might look at our rotation and say he's pretty much in there, but I'm never going to say that because you don't know. We have three or four guys in the back of the depth chart that might step up and knock my socks off. He has to compete."

At first, Randolph mentioned only Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine as the names set in stone, then was reminded of Steve Trachsel. But with a long list of backup candidates in camp and an older rotation, the Mets are bound to need plenty of insurance. Glavine, for instance, turns 40 next month.

"It's just a number," Glavine said. "In many respects, I feel as good as I have in a long time. I had as good a winter workout-wise and throwing-wise as I've had in a long time, so I'm excited about it."
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MSUMet85
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When It Comes to Second, Mets Think Defense First

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By BEN SHPIGEL
Published: February 24, 2006

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla., Feb. 23 — One by one, the players whose jobs were in absolutely no danger jogged to their infield positions on Field No. 4 Thursday morning.
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Then followed the first two contestants in the opening stages of a reality show fit for the Mets' new TV network: "Who wants to play second base?" Bret Boone and Kazuo Matsui fielded ground balls with the starters on the first day of full-squad workouts.

The prospects Jeff Keppinger and Anderson Hernandez loosened up on a back field. Boone and Matsui were afforded the opportunity to work out with the regulars because of their status as veteran second basemen, Manager Willie Randolph said. But, in a way, the groupings offered an early insight into the Mets' assessment of the only wide-open race in camp.

"I can say to you: 'The job is his.' But what does that mean?" Randolph said of Matsui. "If someone comes in and plays much better, then I'm going to pick the best guy."

Unlike in right field, where Xavier Nady holds an advantage over Victor Diaz because the Mets traded Mike Cameron to acquire him, there is no clear-cut favorite at second base. And there is also the possibility that General Manager Omar Minaya could dump Matsui, picking up most of his $8 million contract, or revisit trade talks for the Devil Rays' Julio Lugo, whom he has long coveted.

For the moment, the race comes down to Matsui, an often-injured converted shortstop; Boone, a three-time All-Star who lost his passion for the game last season; Keppinger, a talented hitter with gap power who, after a severe knee injury last season, wants to prove that he can still play; and Hernandez, a 23-year-old who is probably still a year away.

It is not an ideal scenario, but the early feeling is that Boone will win the job if he can prove that he can still play. Boone was one of the American League's more feared hitters when he played for Seattle from 2001 to 2004 and has captured four Gold Glove awards, but he was released by Seattle and Minnesota last summer because of ineffectiveness.

Boone said that he had not lost any range and that regaining his swing was proving the biggest challenge. Even if Boone does not rediscover his previous form as a hitter, his defense may be enough to boost him into the lead.

Barring a trade, the second baseman figures to bat eighth in the lineup, placing a priority on defense. And with Carlos Delgado, a mediocre defensive player, at first base, the Mets are in position to sacrifice offense for defense at second base.

"I think baseball people know about my defense," Boone said. "If that's what's going to help my chances get back into the major leagues, then that's fine with me."

Boone's presence may wind up motivating Matsui, who has frustrated Mets officials with his penchant for sustaining injuries. Matsui arrived in camp in excellent shape and repentant for his two disappointing seasons with the Mets. He hired a private coach to help him improve his agility and strength during the off-season, and then revealed the results during live batting practice Thursday, slamming a homer to center field off Billy Wagner, the Mets' new closer.

"He probably just got lucky and walked in on it," Randolph said.

It was tough to tell whether he was kidding.

Keppinger, who was leading the International League in hitting before fracturing his knee in a contentious spiking incident last June, performed adequately during a late-season call-up in 2004, but he still ranks below Hernandez on the organization's depth chart.

Hernandez, an outstanding defensive player, is the heir apparent to the job, but there is no reason to rush him. After batting 1 for 18 with the Mets in a brief stint last September, Hernandez flourished in the Dominican winter league, earning rookie of the year honors and batting .455 in leading Licey to the league championship.

"I played against major leaguers all winter," Hernandez said. "I know I can play against them now."

The ultimate arbiter, of course, is Randolph, a man who expertly played second base for 18 seasons. He will also decide who gets to play alongside Delgado, José Reyes and David Wright on Field No. 4 and at Shea Stadium.


Story

Looks like if Boone can show anything he could win the 2B spot.
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timotime
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It's not a matter of producing or sitting, it's a matter of producing or being waived.

Matsui would be an utterly worthless bench player. When would he come into the game, if he isn't producing? He wouldn't be a viable pinch-hitter, and he definitely wouldn't be a good defensive replacement.
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