Trade Matsui?

[AndThenThereWasTino]

I've been hearing a lot of people saying that we should trade Matsui for pitching and just keep Melky in left and have Kevin Thompson as the backup outfielder. While I don't agree with that because I think it would be a panic move to injuries so early in the season, what does everybody else think? Who do you think we could get in return? It's no secret that we don't have the best rotation in the world even with all our rotation healthy. Out of Wang-Pettitte-Moose-Pavano-Igawa who would you take out of the rotation if we did aquire a pitcher?

[Jerkface]

Trade Melky.

Oh wait he has no value because he is sucking.

Matsui has gotten progressively better at hitting each season, has power potential in every at bat, and is a solid contributor .290/20hr/100 rbi guy.

If we are going to trade anyone in our outfield I'd rather trade Damon, sign Ichiro, and play Matsui 80 games at DH.

[Centerhero]

Have some respect, Matsui has played well for us. Oh wait, I just thought I saw him bobble a fly ball in the outfield, wow, saved by Damon.

[bucky]

Trade Melky.

Oh wait he has no value because he is sucking.

Matsui has gotten progressively better at hitting each season, has power potential in every at bat, and is a solid contributor .290/20hr/100 rbi guy.

If we are going to trade anyone in our outfield I'd rather trade Damon, sign Ichiro, and play Matsui 80 games at DH.

Doesn't make sense. Melky is NOT ready. Last year was a breakout year and so far he hasn't been that great. I am disappointed so far. His bat is off (pressing too much and not showing patience), his glove needs improvement, and he is not a power hitter.

Jerkface is correct about Matsui.

Want to make a move to improve our team? Fire Marty Miller ASAP. He's our new trainer and he is putting all our players on DL. Matsui has a hamy (stretching).

Get Clemens and bring up Hughes NOW.

Bucky

[ManilaYankee]

The guy signed a contract which has a no-trade clause, remember?

And think about the big bucks he's bringing in from Japan, remember?

There's no way I think that the Yanks will be pressing for a Matsui trade and I don't think Matsui will ever want out of the Yankees. This is just my humble opinion.

[YankeePride1967]

He isn't being traded for reasons that even transcend the field.

[yankeebot]

I understand the reasons that make trading him unlikely but I hope he is amenable to a position change in the near future.

[I Heart Jeter]

Matsui is not the problem here and our line-up in significantly weaker without him, especially with Giambi being so streaky

[brosiusbuddy]

Doesn't make sense. Melky is NOT ready. Last year was a breakout year and so far he hasn't been that great. I am disappointed so far. His bat is off (pressing too much and not showing patience), his glove needs improvement, and he is not a power hitter.

Jerkface is correct about Matsui.

Want to make a move to improve our team? Fire Marty Miller ASAP. He's our new trainer and he is putting all our players on DL. Matsui has a hamy (stretching).

Get Clemens and bring up Hughes NOW.

Bucky

LOL, why does Melky's glove need improvement? On Melky's worst day, he's still twice the fielder Matsui is.

Every trade can't be a steal for the Yankees. Matsui is very good and it would be hard to swallow at first if he were traded. but Melky is also good and the offense is still unreal without Hideki. I was actually in favor of trading Matsui after this past season. It was very clear after all of last year that we can still win and be a very good team without him and if his departure means we can get good pitching I'd be in favor of it. He's one of my favorite players on the team, but I'd still be willing to part with him for a permanent defensive upgrade and if it meant we got better pitching.

And as for those who say his presence brings in money from the Japanese market... oh well. Im a fan, not a financial officer. I just care about winning and to do that we'll need better than a rotation of Karstens, Rasner, Wright

[brosiusbuddy]

Matsui is not the problem here and our line-up in significantly weaker without him, especially with Giambi being so streaky

You'll need a better argument than that to say why Matsui should't be traded. Our lineup has been putting up about 6 runs a game since he's been out. And we scored a boatload of runs without him all last year.

[TheYankee]

You'll need a better argument than that to say why Matsui should't be traded. Our lineup has been putting up about 6 runs a game since he's been out. And we scored a boatload of runs without him all last year.

How about this then... he's better than Melky and Thompson. That should be enough.

[ppa79]

You'll need a better argument than that to say why Matsui should't be traded. Our lineup has been putting up about 6 runs a game since he's been out. And we scored a boatload of runs without him all last year.

I'll give you one. NTC.

[ericns1]

He is a valaulbe left-handed power hitter and could be the DH once Giambi's huge contract ends next year. Plus he is an asset off the field including in Japan like Wang is in Taiwan. It is not his fault the Yanks don't have pitching or that Cash did not bid enough for Dice-K.

[yankeeman61]

I don't know who would give up a quality starting pitcher (a difference maker) for any bat. There's just too much of a premium on starting pitching and Matsui is certainly not a problem for this team and neither is Melky.

I think Cashman went into this season with his eyes opened about the starting pitching. There are question marks galore, but now there is fan panic with some saying even Mo is done after giving up a ridiculous series of bleeders and flares. Trading Matsui would be a panic move IMO. We're 16 games into the season. Wang and Moose are coming back, Clemens is still out there and there's a long way to go people. Everyone please take a deep breath...thanks.

[jbauer2485]

You'll need a better argument than that to say why Matsui should't be traded. Our lineup has been putting up about 6 runs a game since he's been out. And we scored a boatload of runs without him all last year.

The only reason our lineup is putting up 6 runs a night with him out is because ARod is not human this year so far. No way does he play like this all year. Without Arod playing like he has we would have lost about 5 more games probably.

We won last year from luck. Last year we had a career year from Jeter to carry us through much of the season without Sheffield and Matsui. We also got a great contribution from the replacements. Melky had an unbelieveable eye at the plate, even Andy Phillips had a week where he hit like 3 hrs. Our backup catcher also wasn't THIS bad. Oh, and Cano hit, what, like .400 the entire second half? All ridiculous feats that probably will not happen this year. Damon and Giambi at this point are both looking like they might have down years too.

We need Matsui.

[ppa79]

Do people even know he has a complete NTC. I highly doubt he will waive it. He isn't going anywhere so all this talk about trading him is moot.

[YankeePride1967]

Do people even know he has a complete NTC. I highly doubt he will waive it. He isn't going anywhere so all this talk about trading him is moot.

Of course not, fans here expect the Yanks to ignore all benefits, ignore reality and find someone willing to give us a Johan Santana, Albert Pujols and a Miguel Cabrera as a throw in for Matsui who will happily waive his NTC to play for the Royals.

[Retire21]

I don't think the Yankees would ever trade Matsui for two reasons:

1. He is the face of Japanese baseball and the Yankees organization has developed a nice international business relationship with the Yomiuri Giants as a result of his signing. To trade him would be insulting to that relationship. Right or wrong, that is the reality. It would damage any future relationship going forward.

2. Matsui might be the classiest, most genuinely humble guy on the team. The Yankees love his attitude, work ethic, and dignity. He is as much of what the Yankees aim to be as an image portrayed as any player on the team. To trade him (most importantly, let's not forget that he is still a productive player, too) would be incongruous.

[montrealer]

Nobody is going to give up quality pitching .Just isn`t enough to go around.

[Mr. Mxylsplk]

Matsui has gotten progressively better at hitting each season, has power potential in every at bat, and is a solid contributor .290/20hr/100 rbi guy.

Matsui's a good hitter, but he certainly hasn't gotten better since 2004.

[shotgun_sam]

After watching Melky and Thompson at the plate this weekend (especially re: patience) i don't think we can get Matsui back soon enough.

[Byron]

The correct move this offseason would have been to trade Melky for some pitching/relief while his stock was high.

[Martini6196]

Matsui can take over as DH once the carcass of Giambi is gone and the Yankees can get a better left fielder. No reason to trade such a good hitter.

[jughead]

I think one of Thompson/Cabrera need to be traded (down the line). They both have the potential to be solid outfielders, and there will definitely be a team that will bite around the ASB. As much as I like Melky, I think I'd rather keep Thompson, as he would suit better in a backup role and Cabrera would fetch a better return package.

[yanksphan]

The correct move this offseason would have been to trade Melky for some pitching/relief while his stock was high.

I would have preferred aquiring LaRoche somehow in that rumored 3 team mess...

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

I hated this signing from the beginning...

[MTYankee23]

Should have had at least the foresight to have him spend SOME time at 1B during ST. Ideally at some point Matsui would be a 1B/DH, and Damon would be playing LF where at YS, his range is an asset but his lack of an arm not so glaring of a weakness.

[ppa79]

I hated this signing from the beginning...

Why? He was coming off three very good seasons in which he didn't miss a single game. Also, he was probably one of the best offensive outfielders available that offseason. If he left, I bet you would be complaining on why Cashman didn't resign him.

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

Why? He was coming off three very good seasons in which he didn't miss a single game. Also, he was probably one of the best offensive outfielders available that offseason.

I knew his defense would become a huge problem in LF. He is a pretty 1 dimensional player...

[ppa79]

I knew his defense would become a huge problem in LF. He is a pretty 1 dimensional player...

His defense is below average, but his offense makes up for it. You can't have the best of both worlds.

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

His defense is below average, but his offense makes up for it. You can't have the best of both worlds.

You can't have a player that is good offensively and at least average defensively? Not to mention I don't like having players that you can't trade for business decisions, its going to hurt the team at one point...

[MTYankee23]

I knew his defense would become a huge problem in LF. He is a pretty 1 dimensional player...

That was and still is a concern, but in that offseason the alternatives didn't seem all that much better. Didn't we not have a CF as well at that point though either?

I may be the only one (which is fine), but I'm much more concerned about the complete lack of offensive depth in the organization. Is there an impact hitter anywhere above Tabata with the possible exception of the fading Eric Duncan?

Seems everyone is up in arms about the pitching, but I think our pitching struggles can almost exclusively be pinned on injuries, an odd 2 game struggle for Mo, and some curious bullpen choices from Torre.

[ppa79]

I may be the only one (which is fine), but I'm much more concerned about the complete lack of offensive depth in the organization. Is there an impact hitter anywhere above Tabata with the possible exception of the fading Eric Duncan?

.

I don't think so. We got some talented players in Extended Spring training like Urena, Montero, Almonte, but they are behind Tabata.

[MTYankee23]

I don't think so. We got some talented players in Extended Spring training like Urena, Montero, Almonte, but they are behind Tabata.

Although I'm excited about all of those players, there is still a fairly high attrition rate between EST and the majors, and none is likely to help within the next 3 years. If Melky doesn't recover we have no 1B, no OF depth, and absolutely no Catching if the unthinkable happens.

Again I'm probably the only one, but I'm hoping that in addition to extending Mo, Jorge, and Alex that we at least do some due dilligence regarding Andruw Jones.

[ppa79]

Although I'm excited about all of those players, there is still a fairly high attrition rate between EST and the majors, and none is likely to help within the next 3 years. If Melky doesn't recover we have no 1B, no OF depth, and absolutely no Catching if the unthinkable happens.

.

Thats why Cashman will probably use some of our pitching depth to acquire our other needs.

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

Thats why Cashman will probably use some of our pitching depth to acquire our other needs.

Probably should of traded Sanchez...

[Spiker101]

Probably should of traded Sanchez...

I'm not Cashman's biggest fan, but there were reports immediately after the trade that they were shopping him.

[nojoke]

I think a lot of our impulse to trade Matsui is simply because we just lost two straight to Boston. You can say what you want that you've thought this all along but lets be serious. We've won the division the last two season with bum pitchers but a terrific lineup. Keep what works. IMO, a newly acquired pitcher has a higher chance of getting injured than a position player and more injuries would just cause more problems.

[Spiker101]

I hated this signing from the beginning...

The estimate is that Matsui brings in roughly $5 million in unique revenue to the Yanks (that is money that goes to the Yanks and not to MLB to be divided), which makes him an $8 million player. You don't think he's worth $8 million a year? I know his glove ain't much but it's not THAT bad. He's a solid bat who has proven he doesn't fold up under pressure.

[ppa79]

I think a lot of our impulse to trade Matsui is simply because we just lost two straight to Boston. .

Which is stupid because he hits Boston.

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 border=0><TBODY><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD>.298</TD><TD>.361</TD><TD>.484</TD><TD>.845</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

In 161 at bats.

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

I'm not Cashman's biggest fan, but there were reports immediately after the trade that they were shopping him.

If we packaged Sanchez w/ Melky, I can't imagine not being able to get something of value...

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

The estimate is that Matsui brings in roughly $5 million in unique revenue to the Yanks (that is money that goes to the Yanks and not to MLB to be divided), which makes him an $8 million player. You don't think he's worth $8 million a year? I know his glove ain't much but it's not THAT bad. He's a solid bat who has proven he doesn't fold up under pressure.

His bat is definitely worth it, but I hated the idea of him being in leftfield and I still do, we should of moved him to 1st this Spring Training, it was a huge mistake...

[gdn]

You're a jerk, knee.

[MTYankee23]

I think a lot of our impulse to trade Matsui is simply because we just lost two straight to Boston. You can say what you want that you've thought this all along but lets be serious. We've won the division the last two season with bum pitchers but a terrific lineup. Keep what works. IMO, a newly acquired pitcher has a higher chance of getting injured than a position player and more injuries would just cause more problems.

I would agree with this. A lot of people are in panic mode, and while you don't want to fall TOO far behind, a lot of the individual aspects of what's going on can be attributed to small sample size.

That said, I think most of us knew before the season (based on larger sample sizes), that we would get nothing out of 1B and backup Catcher if Jorge started to get dinged. Its not reasonable to expect ARod to carry the offense for the entire season and 3 weeks in, he isn't far behind the rest of the team in extra base hits. How long before teams smarten up, start walking him, and then what happens.

Also it seems like we're losing more than our share of close games with the exception of the ones that A-Rod has walked us off.

[MTYankee23]

His bat is definitely worth it, but I hated the idea of him being in leftfield and I still do, we should of moved him to 1st this Spring Training, it was a huge mistake...

Bingo, that's the type of thing ST is for, not auditioning people when you aren't going to give the clear cut winner the job anyway.

[NewEraYanks2527]

Mastui is going to be a big boost for the Yanks when he gets back. Matsui, Damon, Abreu making up your outfield is pretty damn good. Cabrera as the 4th outfielder is nice too.

[Rocketman]

His defense is below average, but his offense makes up for it. You can't have the best of both worlds.

Carlos Beltran.

[ppa79]

Carlos Beltran.

Sizemore too. How about Corner outfielders?

[Taylor]

I've been hearing a lot of people saying that we should trade Matsui for pitching and just keep Melky in left and have Kevin Thompson as the backup outfielder. While I don't agree with that because I think it would be a panic move to injuries so early in the season, what does everybody else think? Who do you think we could get in return? It's no secret that we don't have the best rotation in the world even with all our rotation healthy. Out of Wang-Pettitte-Moose-Pavano-Igawa who would you take out of the rotation if we did aquire a pitcher?

why trade matsui when he's 10 times better than melky? They should've traded melky in the offseason when he could've had a decent selling price, its too late now. The Yankees aren't even going to consider trading matsui

[Taylor]

His bat is definitely worth it, but I hated the idea of him being in leftfield and I still do, we should of moved him to 1st this Spring Training, it was a huge mistake...

lol, at yankee fans wanting to play musicial chairs on the defense. Moving him to 1st would be the huge mistake