Yeah maybe... but lots of folks (including me until a few years ago) are fine with being fair weather commuters. I assumed he knows what kind of riding he'll be doing.

When I went foul weather commuter as well... I bought another bike!

Anyway - sitz - a SS/FG cyclocross bike like the Masi I posted is a good choice. If the similar one you find at your LBS has fender eyelets, all the better. A Surly cross check SS is one but will be about $200 more.