Matsui to Start?

[love_that_reefer]

According to the Denver Post, progress was made over the holidays on a multiyear deal for infielder Jamey Carroll. Carroll is still two years away from free agency, but the Rockies have it in their heads that they need to lock him up after his career year. They should take a lesson from what happened with the Brewers and Brady Clark a season ago. Carroll is expected to lead a Colorado bench that will also include Jeff Baker, Clint Barmes, the backup catcher and probably Cory Sullivan. The team is about to add another left-handed hitter, possibly Darin Erstad or John Mabry, which would seem to increase the chances of Barmes getting dealt. There's already no room for Luis Gonzalez.

Why would he be on the bench? He had a great year last year and Matsui flat out sucks ass. The guy hit .300 last year with a .377 OBP and plays better defense. Matsui did well in limited play but you can only expect a .260 average from this guy.

[love_that_reefer]

Rockies agreed to terms with infielder Jamey Carroll on a two-year, $4 million contract with a club option for 2009. Carroll, who turns 33 next month, gets $1.7 million this year, $2.15 million in 2008 and either $2.5 million or a $150,000 buyout in 2009. Carroll was a career .269/.344/.338 hitter before batting .300/.377/.404 last season in his first year with the Rockies. He's a very good defender at second and he can handle short on occasion, but it won't be long before he resumes hitting like the 25th man that he is. If the Rockies don't regret this deal by the end of the year, we'd be quite surprised.

Carroll is getting paid more than Matsui which makes me think he will start at second as he should.