The Switch may be switched back.
When the Mets signed Kaz Matsui before this season, they moved their incumbent shortstop, Jose Reyes, to second base. But a source confirmed the Mets have had preliminary discussions about switching the duo the other way for the 2005 season.
It obviously is very early, but if such a move came to fruition after this year, Reyes would be shifted back to his natural position, shortstop. Matsui would slide to second base, where he played his only game nine years ago.
Matsui’s game at second came during his rookie year in Japan (1995). Asked how he did, Matsui said, “First inning, two errors.”
Matsui was asked how he would feel if the Mets asked him to play second base next year if they had someone else they wanted to play at shortstop. As Reyes did last offseason, Matsui essentially said he’d be fine with it as long as it helps the team.
“It’s what the front office thinks. If they think it’s the best for the team and it’s going to make us better, I think I’d see how it would go from there,” he said. “But I’ll just continue doing my best to keep my shortstop position throughout the year. If that acquisition’s going to obviously help the team get more wins, then, yeah, as long as it’s that straight.”
What if Reyes is the player who moves back to short and pushes Matsui to second base?
“Yeah, same answer as before,” Matsui said. “If it’s the benefit for the team.”
GM Jim Duquette declined to comment on the switch scenario.
Matsui came to the Mets with a reputation as a superb defensive player, having earned four Gold Gloves in Japan. While he is still adjusting in his first year here and has at times shown exceptional range and a flair for the dramatic, his defense has been largely disappointing.
In his 46 games, Matsui has committed 10 errors, tying him with the White Sox’s Jose Valentin for most among MLB shortstops heading into last night.
Matsui also ranked last among MLB shortstops who qualify in fielding percentage (.954) and second-to-last in zone rating (.788), which is the percentage of balls fielded by a player in his particular defensive zone. On a better note, he’s 10th in range factor (4.67), which measures putouts and assists divided by innings.
Reyes, meanwhile, played 69 games at short last season and statistically was better defensively in 2003 than Matsui has been in 2004. Reyes committed nine errors and owned a better fielding percentage (.973), zone rating (.819) and range factor (4.84).
Even more than the numbers, though, Reyes simply appeared to be an elite defensive shortstop. He finished 2003 on a 35-game errorless streak and dazzled with his cannon arm. Matsui has a strong arm, but Reyes certainly looks to hold a significant advantage there.
There is nothing in Matsui’s contract that mandates he play shortstop, so the Mets would not be bound to keep him on the left side of the infield.
Many shortstops have been converted to second basemen. For a local example, Alfonso Soriano was converted from a shortstop to a second baseman right before his rookie year with the Yankees.
Second to some
The Mets reportedly are considering shifting shortstop Kaz Matsui to second base and reinstating Jose Reyes at shortstop.
Since 2000, the Mets have started 23 different players at second base, most of any infield position. Here’s a look at those players:
Staters By Position (since 2000)
1B: 22
2B: 23
SS: 20
3B: 20
Games started at 2B
2000: Alfonzo (145), Abbott (8), McEwing (6), Harris (2), Mora (1)
2001: Alfonzo (119), Relaford (42), McEwing (1)
2002: Alomar (146), Wigginton (9), Scutaro (1), Valentin (1)
2003: Alomar (69), McEwing (42), Scutaro (18), Garcia (16), Bell (10), Sanchez (6)
2004: Garcia (23), Guiterrez (14), McEwing (8), Wigginton (1)