The Rakuten Eagles are apparently interested in fielding a complete team of failed Japanese MLB veterans.
They already signed Akinori Iwamura and have discussed Kenshin Kawakami with the Braves, and now, according to a Japanese media report passed along by Jason Coskrey, the Eagles have interest in Kaz Matsui.
Matsui arrived with much fanfare when he signed a three-year, $20.1 million contract with the Mets in December of 2003, but never matched expectations stateside, putting together a modest .267/.321/.380 batting line over seven seasons. Now 35 years old, Matsui was released by the Astros in May after batting just .141 over 71 at-bats. He finished the season with Triple-A Colorado Springs in the Rockies’ organization, batting .262/.331/.349 over 301 at-bats.
I honestly forgot how impressive his numbers were with the Seibu Lions prior coming over to the United States. Perhaps he’s a cautionary tale for those expecting big things from Tsuyoshi Nishioka?
