Kazuo Matsui homeward-bound
Japanese fans will see more of Kazuo Matsui next season. The free agent infielder announced on Monday that he is returning to Japan next season.
Matsui, nicknamed Kaz, confirmed the news after revealing that he did not receive any offers from Major League clubs.
"I don't want to let this drag on," the 35-year-old told Kyodo News.
"It's nice that teams appreciate me," added Matsui, who has been linked to several Nippon Professional Baseball teams including the Orix Buffaloes.
The Osaka native, who played shortstop and second base in the majors, vowed that he will give his best for his new team in his return to the Japanese league.
"I like to think that it's a strength of mine, being able to play both positions. I want to be ready to meet the needs of whoever I play for," he said.
Matsui last played in the NPB in 2003 when he suited up for the Seibu Lions. He joined the New York Mets as a free agent the following year and played there until 2006.
Matsui was then traded to the Colorado Rockies, which reached the 2007 World Series. He became a free agent after the 2007 season and joined the Houston Astros the following year on a three-year deal.
But his stint with the Astros was forgettable. He played in only 27 games this past season, hitting a lowly .141. The switch-hitting Matsui was waived by the Astros in May and finished the season as a member of the Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate club.
Matsui batted .267 in his seven-year stint in the majors. The 1998 Pacific League Most Valuable Player also made 605 hits, 210 RBIs and 101 stolen bases.
In his stint with the Lions from 1995 to 2003, he batted .309 with 1433 hits, 569 RBIs and 306 stolen bases.
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