Eli Marrero – MLB Trade Rumors https://www.mlbtraderumors.com Fri, 09 Jun 2006 17:15:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 Kaz Matsui Sent To Rockies https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2006/06/kaz-matsui-sent.html https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2006/06/kaz-matsui-sent.html#respond Fri, 09 Jun 2006 17:15:01 +0000 http://localhost/mlbtraderumors/2006/06/kaz-matsui-sent.html The Mets finally decided to bite the bullet and eat Kaz Matsui’s awful contract, sending him to the Rockies.  The best they could do for him was Eli Marrero, a 32 year-old journeyman who plays catcher, first base, and outfield.

In searching for positives about bringing in Marrero, I must note his solid .467 slugging percentage in 60 at-bats this year.  Marrero once hit 18 HR in less than 400 at-bats (2002 Cardinals) so he does provide a little right-handed pop off the bench.

Matsui has agreed to the deal and will report to Triple A for a little while.  The Rockies probably want him to prepare as a shortstop, a position he hasn’t played since 2004.  Matsui posted a woeful .504 OPS in 130 at-bats this year, which is actually worse than Clint Barmes’s .558 mark.  There’s at least some hope that the 27 year-old Barmes can snap out of it and at least hit like a league average shortstop.  Still, this isn’t a gamble for Colorado since the Mets are paying Matsui’s $8MM salary. 

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