NewYork.Mets.com

NEW YORK -- Mets general manager Jim Duquette can head down to the Winter Meetings with one less problem to worry about after signing Kaz Matsui.

The Japanese star will step in at shortstop while Jose Reyes slides over to second base, filling one of the gaping holes in New York's lineup. By signing Matsui, Duquette achieved one of his primary offseason objectives -- adding to the club without losing any draft picks.

Duquette has said all along that he would shy away from most of the available free agents because he didn't want to surrender high draft picks as a result of the signings. The club has been burned in that area before, especially when some of those who signed didn't play up to expectations.