From Anthony McCarron (Daily News):
Despite his numbers, Matsui’s status with the Yankees is unclear. He is in the final season of a four-year, $52 million contract and the Yankees want to get younger and free up at-bats at designated hitter for Jorge Posada.
Matsui would not delve too deeply into his future Sunday.
“My honest answer is I don’t know,” Matsui said. “I don’t have an answer. As a player, you just try to do better than what you’ve done before. It’s not so much about how the organization or other clubs look at me. All I’m focused on is winning a championship.”
Would he prefer to stay in New York? “I try not to think about that,” he said. “I like New York, the Yankees, the Yankee fans. It’s definitely someplace I feel comfortable.”
If the Yankees lose Matsui in order to free up DH AB’s for Jorge Posada, then I suppose McCarron is assuming that Jose Molina—he’ll have to be resigned—or Francisco Cervelli will be given a substantial number of AB’s at catcher. Is that something the Yankees really want to commit to? Defensively, that’s a win-win, but offensively, I think it’s fair to question that notion. Matsui seems open to returning at a “bargain” rate and, if he’s willing to go year-to-year, then the Yankees should definitely bring him back. He’s a professional hitter that can be rotated in and out of the DH slot in order to give Posada ample rest as well as others. In this sense, Matsui’s knee problems actually help the Yankees in terms of DH flexibility (he can’t DH everyday).
I think the team knows just how important Matsui has been to the club in 2009 and, for that reason, I also think they’ll be very hesitant to simply let him walk after the season is over (a move which has been billed by many as a foregone conclusion). In fact, the only way I see that actually occurring is if Brian Cashman opts to bring Johnny Damon back as the team’s DH while adding Matt Holliday to man left. That way, they’re not losing Matsui’s offense, instead, they’re replacing it and simultaneously bettering their defensive game. That works, right?
What do you think about Matsui? Should the Yankees keep him around for 2010, or are you a fan of the rather ambiguous and inherently problematic rotating DH idea (no, I’m not biased at all)?
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Matsui can’t be re-signed because he can’t play the field ever. I’d re-sign Damon and make him the DH most of the time. Bring up A-Jack and try to acquire another decent outfielder.
Posada should continue to catch 110 games.
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The other Chris H Reply:
August 24th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I think Austin needs at least another half a year in Scranton to fully develop his bat to a level that will be major league acceptable and I have a really hard time getting myself to believe that Damon is now a 30 HR hitter every year and truthfully if he can’t deliver 30 HRs and can’t play the outfield what use is he at DH? I say let Matsui and Damon go because neither of there bats can be trusted and playing either one in the field is a potential nightmare, plus with Matsui’s knees he could have to go on the DL at anytime and I don’t want to take that risk.
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No to Holliday…kthxbye
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The other Chris H Reply:
August 24th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Well in our park I think he would put up numbers close to what he did in Colorado but I agree he isn’t my first choice, in fact my first choice is Chone Figgins for LF, followed by and Holliday if he would take a 4 year deal at this economic value and my third choice would be Jason Bay if he takes a 3 year deal with or without a team option for the 4th bringing back Johnny for the outfield would be the last resort if all other fail to materialize.
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Old Ranger Reply:
August 24th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Agree with your take on Holliday…NO!
He would want to have a long, big contract…ain’t going to fly.
No to both Johnny and Matsui.
The best way to have a dynasty is to replace players as they age with younger, faster, and more athletic good talent. There are many ways to win games other then HR’s. Defense, speed, base-running and timely hitting goes a long way to make up for HR’s.
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There is no way Molina comes back to the team Jorge will catch on a regular basis next year and Cervelli will take over Molina’s once a week catching role and his bat is at least that of Molina’s and his defense is more than enough to make Jose expendable.
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Old Ranger Reply:
August 24th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Actually, Cervelli has a better bat then Molina. The defense would jump up a peg or two with good BA but, less HRs
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The other Chris H Reply:
August 25th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Which is why I said AT LEAST THAT… after seasoning he will have a better bat than Molina.
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Does everyone fully expect Johnny Damon to hit 30 HRS next year? No one thinks that a guy who is old and only getting older will eventually have a drop off, especially when you are counting on him to repeat a year that he has never had in his entire career besides this one… Speaking of aging DHs with a career year, everyone does realize that the likely hood of Matsui having another year with the power he is having this year is next to impossible right?
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Look, people….
We all know that Johnny and Matsui must go. If the right guy at the right price is available…go for it!
In the meantime we have Hinske, Gardner, Swisher and Melky on the team as of now. We could get along for a year with these guys and maybe by June/July(?) A-Jax comes along.
Swisher-high OBP/Slug%.
Brett-clutch hitter, with speed and very good defense.
Melky-At best, an average OF’er and hitter.
Hinske-not much to go on with him.
Pena-Switch hitter, bench OF/IF.
We can get along just fine, without Johnny/Matsui
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It seems to boil down to keep Damon or Matsui and between the two Damon is the better player. He can play left, bats nicely in the two hole, and still has ok speed. Matsui has bad wheels, can’t play the field, and bats 6th in the lineup. Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy and think he’s great batting 6th, but to have a roster spot just for that seems like a luxury when guys like Posada and A-Rod will need to DH as well. I would let Matsui walk and bring back Damon for two more years. He is too productive of a hitter to let go assuming he is willing to dh plenty.
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The real question: how badly do the Yankees want Matt Holliday?
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Old Ranger Reply:
August 24th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I think they would like to have him but, he isn’t a MUST have!
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I love ‘Zilla, but it’s so limiting to have a pure DH that can’t play a position. With Damon, Swisher, Gardner, Melky, and Hinske, you probably have enough. You’re also going to want to DH Posada every once in a while. Go after a guy who can play the field if you think you need another bat. In this economy, you may get Holliday for a discount. Some other OF free agents include Ankiel, Coco Crisp, Kearns, Nady, Vlad, and others. It’s a longshot, but Montero’s bat might make it impossible to keep him down, as well, if he improves his D and backstop skills. That would require Jorge to DH a lot more. I think my point is that it’s always good to have roster flexibility and Matsui limits that.
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“Francisco Cervelli will be given a substantial number of AB’s at catcher. Is that something the Yankees really want to commit to? Defensively, that’s a win-win, but offensively, I think it’s fair to question that notion.”
Run prevention counts just as much as runs scored. Most smart Baseball people have always considered Catcher to be a defense first position. The Yanks have always felt that if they can get average defense and elite hitting, they have an edge. But there’s just one problem with that. Posada’s not an average catcher anymore. Wild pitches and passed balls advance base runners every bit as much as failing to throw out attempted steals. Jorge does NONE of those well anymore. The Yanks are #2 in the AL in WP and Jorge is 41st among the 47 AL Catchers in Passed Balls. He needs to catch less.
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Chris H. Reply:
August 25th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Wild pitches are a part of A.J. Burnett’s calling card due to his ridiculous curveball. He has 11 last year and that’s with a guy who knew him. The staff and Jorge are going to have cross-ups, especially with Posada never catching them before. It’s not like he’s working with a group that he’s truly used to (CC, AJ, Joba, they’re all new). Also, Posada has 5 PB this season. In 2006-2007 he had a total of 26 passed balls. It’s nothing new to Jorge. Plus his CS% is 29%. That’s his career average. Jorge Posada is the same catcher he has always been behind the plate, instead, the problems are being amplified this year and his game-calling, specifically, is drawing criticism (and that’s hard to quantify). He has never been a great catcher—that’s an obvious comment. However, he’s doing what he always does behind the plate and his offense there makes it worth it. Plus, he has worked with Molina to better understand the pitchers (e.g., the Pettitte situation) and it has helped him.
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defense, defense, defense, damon and matsui have been great but we need players that aren’t just dh 1b types that play little defense, titles are won on pitching and defense, lets get a lf player (crawford) another utility type and more speed and make our pitching staff better, posada can dh some along with someone being given a day off, the key is pitching and making it as strong as possible, younger and versatile would be nice.
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PC has it right…defense is the name of the game.
Our number 3(1st base etc) thru 6 are good for 3 years right?
Put Cervelli in as full time catcher with Posada DH/catcher.
Brett Gardner in CF…there isn’t a better one to be had.
Melkey/Swisher in LF/RF unless we can pick-up a good hitting L/RF, like Crawford (three/four years only).
Other then Swisher, we have a damn good defensive team…better then with Johnny and Swisher in the OF.
If A-Jax shows enough improvement over this year by June/July(?) call him up for one of the corner spots. This team doesn’t need 7 or 8 HR hitters…remember our history (in defeat), it is easier for a good pitcher to shut dawn power then it is OBP/Avg hitters. We have tried it the Cliveland way…it didn’t work out so well did it?
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Chris H. Reply:
August 25th, 2009 at 8:20 am
We’ll lose an enormous amount of power if we put Melky in the corner and keep Gardner in CF. Also, this year, our team has been ridiculously good offensively and that’s because it’s powerful yet capable of moving runners. Should we totally abandon that philosophy next year? I don’t know if that’s a good idea. An OF of Melky, Gardner and Swisher makes me cringe because we’re never sure of what we have with Melky and Brett isn’t an established commodity yet.
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Old Ranger Reply:
August 25th, 2009 at 11:22 am
The reason I put Brett in as the everyday CF is; Nobody is better all-around in CF. He is one of the better clutch hitters on the team, is a tough out with runners in scoring position, speed to burn…all qualities the team needs. His history is of a guy that improves with playing time.
As for the two corner spots, we already have Melkey and Swisher with Hinske as a back-up. Is there someone out there you like (cheep) for one of the corners…other then Holliday and Camron?
With Posada DH more then he catches, Cervelli is the better bat between he and Molina. Defensively Cervelli is very close to Molina right now…I would like to have Both of them on the team, catchers do get hurt a lot.
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No to Holliday – I’d rather try trading one of our catching prospects for an OF prospect.
Definately no to Matsui. Like him, hope he leaves the Bronx with a shiny gift, and would like to see him land a job somewhere, but the DH slot is more valuable to the Yanks as an open rotation.
As I understand it, MLB teams can go no more than 20 consecutive games without an off day. Over such a stretch, you might want to rest ARod 3 days, Jeter 3 days, and maybe give Teix 1 day. That leaves 13 days open. If Jorge catches 4-5 times per week, we would need to DH him about 7 times (assuming he never got a full day off). The remaining 6 days can DH Damon or Swisher or random platoon bat (I assume Gardner and Cabrera, if with the team next season, won’t DH often, if ever).
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I LOVE Matsui (In a platonic baseball sort of way)…but, the fact that he can ONLY DH at this point in his career, does not give the Yankees roster flexibility that they desperately need. I would rather sign Damon for a one-two year deal loaded with incentives. Then sign Bay or Holliday to play left…This way Damon and Posada can share the DH spot, with A-Rod, Swisher, Tex, and Jeter.
Thanks for all the memories, Matsui-san.
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Chris H. Reply:
August 25th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I think they should sign Holliday (I don’t like Bay as much) and let Damon be the DH if they don’t want Matsui back. Damon is the more lineup flexible option in that he can play the OF whereas Matsui can’t, of course. The team likes that flexibility but it really will be sad when we no longer have Matsui around. The guy is a true professional.
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The other Chris H Reply:
August 25th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
So no one thinks Chone can make the jump back to the outfield?
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