It has gotten to the point where I just get up from the sofa to get something to eat or drink when Kaz Matsui comes up in a crucial situations. I figure there is no point waisting time watching what is inevitable. You know Matsui will either strike out or hit a meek ground ball to the right side to end any threat. I can't figure out what the scouts saw in this guy. I know he was the iron man of Japan but in New York he has been more like the tin foil man. He steps in the bucket flying out on every swing. He just can't seem to get into any hitting grove. Bobby Valentine raved about Kaz saying that he would be great in the Major Leagues. Maybe this was Bobby's way of screwing the Mets. "Gotcha". Now Matsui's fielding has improved, and don't forget, in Japan he was a short-stop. What do you think of the chances that the Matsui trade gets made if Minaya were GM then. How about no chance? The Matsui deal was ill-conceived to begin with. First off, why trade for a short stop when they knew Reyes was the short-stop of the future. They moved Jose over to second to accommodate Kaz, remember that? How did that work out? Then Matsui struggled mightily when he was moved to second base. And of course he has been injured a lot. Here's a guy who never got injured in Japan, but over here he has been so fragile.

Randolph benching him was a great move. Jose Valentin looks, for now, like he can handle the position. At the moment, Valentin is exuding confidence by hitting well and playing a very serviceable second base. It's only been two games at second but why not give him a shot. See what he can do on an everyday basis. He's got some pop in his bat too. He only hit two home runs last year with Los Angeles (Dodgers) but he hit 28 and 30 in the previous two years for the White Sox. He also hit 46 doubles and 5 triples over that same period. Last year he suffered an injury to his right knee that kept him out of action for most of the season. So maybe this will be one of those little deals that Omar made that turns into a huge bargain. If he can return to 2004 numbers, the Mets may just have themselves a productive every day 2nd baseman. I admit that I was calling for his release early on when it looked like he couldn't hit a beach ball. It's amazing how my opinion has changed since Valentin's turn around in Milwaukee just two weeks ago.

As for Matsui, any takers? Probably not. The Mets would have to eat a huge chunk of what's left on his contract. He still could be useful in a defensive role and as apinch hitter. However if he can't hit in the everyday lineup, how will he fair coming off the bench? For now, Valentin's the second baseman until he proves otherwise.

Notes: I have not seen the Mets wear their blue traditional caps on the road for a very long time. And they have only worn their pin strip home unis three times this year. That makes me sad.

This just in...Xavier Nady had emergency appendectomy surgery last evening. Lastings Milledge is coming up. Stay tuned...