Kaz Matsui Joins Astros for $16.5 Million

Kaz Matsui joined the Houston Astros just over a month after helping the Rockies to the World Series for that team's first appearance in the Fall Classic.

Japanese ball players are durable, hardworking, dependable…all the good things you like about the character a ball player should have.

It seems that the Rising Sun's ball players have also learned something from US ball players – how to get money out of teams = fans in the United States.

"Kaz is an ideal fit for our club," says the Astro's GM. "Kaz runs extremely well. He steals bases, moves runners and takes the extra base. He plays the game the right way."

Matsui came from the Seibu Lions where he hit .309 with 150 homers, 569 RBIS and 306 stolen bases in nine season.

In three seasons here he has hit just .272. with 17 home runs, 131 RBIs and 62 stolen bases in four seasons.

And those stats are worth $16.5 million for three years?

The only problem with asking for that much is that somebody is willing to pay that much.

What do you think of the salaries for people to PLAY? 

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