No sooner had Kazuo Matsui reached contract terms with the Colorado Rockies than the New York Mets re-signed his replacement, Jose Valentin. 

Matsui, 31, agreed Monday to a one-year, $1.5-million US contract with Colorado, who acquired him from New York on June 9 for Eli Marrero.

Kazuo Matsui split last season between the Mets and Rockies.
(Gregory Bull/Associated Press)

The deal also includes $950,000 US in performance incentives.

"That was one of our priorities this off-season, to hold on to Kaz," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said. "He fit in well for us."

Matsui sparkled upon arriving in Denver, averaging .345 in 32 games with two home runs, 19 runs batted in, 22 runs scored and eight stolen bases.

Hampered by injuries, he hit only .200 with one HR, seven RBIs and 10 runs in 38 games for the Mets.

"He stayed healthy for that last month, and was able to play day games after night games," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "He produced well offensively and we'd like to extend that over six months."

Matsui is a .266 hitter with 13 HRs, 94 RBIs, 128 runs and 30 steals in 271 games over three MLB seasons since New York pried him away from the Seibu Lions of the Japanese Pacific League on Dec. 10, 2003.

Valentin, 37, reportedly will earn $3.8 million US in 2007 after posting impressive offensive numbers last season: a .271 average, 18 HRs, 62 RBIs and 56 runs in 137 games.

"He did a great job for us last year, obviously," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "He stepped up and was, at times, probably our MVP."

"The way that Jose went out and picked us up at second base was tremendous and it's great that we're bringing him back," Mets third baseman David Wright said. "He was a sparkplug for this offence and played tremendous defence."

Valentin is a lifetime .243 hitter with 246 HRs, 798 RBIs and 854 runs in 1,627 MLB games for the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Mets.

With files from the Associated Press