Matsui signing absent from Hot Stove reflections

[BombersBlvd]

Now that spring training is here and the better part of the offseason has concluded, I noticed many sports writers failed to factor in the Matsui signing when grading the Yankees' winter Hot Stove activity. Perhaps, the focus was maintained on newer faces, obviously Damon, and to a lesser extent Farnsworth and Dotel, Meyers, etc. But, the truth is, the Yankees also secured a not too shabby left fielder during the winter as well. Granted, he was re-signed, but it was a pretty huge acquisition nevertheless. I think this was possibly lost on a lot of those who were evaluating the Yankees' offseason.

[SoCal Pinstriper]

I think that most observers assumed that Matsui staying was a gimmie. He'd made it very clear that he wanted to stay, and never veered from that course.

I agree with you that it was overlooked, but I can undestand why.

Just imagine the uproar had we failed to get that done.

[silverdsl]

I agree that it wasn't mentioned because everyone assumed that it would happen. It also happened relatively quietly which isn't always the case for a lot of signings/re-signings. But that's what Matsui is all about - quietly going about his business of being a very good player for the Yankees.

[DontHateOnNumber2]

I agree, though this doesn't seem to be the case for Yankees fans it seems like many articles speak more of Damon and the facelift on the bullpen. Then again, during the season Matsui said they would deal with it in the offseason and that he wanted to come back. Apparently everything went well.

[JDPNYY]

I think Matsui has been left out of this discussion because today (being a fine day in the year 2004) is Matsui Day.

[CaptainCargo]

I'm looking forward to another year of solid ball from Matsui. The guy plays the game the way it should be played.


Casey

[slickknick]

Think of how the Red Sox' world was rocked by the departure of Damon. I for one, as I'm sure most Red Sox fans, thought that it was a given that they would resign Damon. If he would've signed with the Sox, no big deal - it would've been expected. Same goes for Matsui. It was a given that he would sign for us, a huge mistake if he hadn't. But if we hadn't signed Matsui, who would we have in place of him....hmm.

[YankClipper5]

I don't believe he actually hit the FA market. Unless I am mistaken he re-signed within the time frame set out in his contract, maybe that is why it is overlooked. Not much was mentioned of him on the hot stove because he never reached a point in which he could sign elsewhere.

[yankees76]

The original point is a good one, though. The Matsui re-signing absolutely counts as an offseason move by the Yanks. They could have let him go. It is a great signing for the going OF rate ($13 million).

[yankees76]

Btw, it's only ST, but Matsui is 5-6.

[puckmaster87]

Btw, it's only ST, but Matsui is 5-6.

Yeah, he's looked pretty locked in. Hopefully he can keep it up and not start off in a slump like last year when he played a few great games then went into a slump.

[161 and River Ave.]

I remember this time last year when a lot of people, myself included, we're predicting Matsui for AL MVP.

[Edchiro]

Yanks acquired/re-signed 2 OFs for less than the Mets will be paying Beltran. Nice job, Cash.

[justinvarnes]

Yanks acquired/re-signed 2 OFs for less than the Mets will be paying Beltran. Nice job, Cash.

Excellent point.

[27IsNext]

Yeah, he's looked pretty locked in. Hopefully he can keep it up and not start off in a slump like last year when he played a few great games then went into a slump.

The slump was actually an extended power slump where he didn't hit a home run in like two months. It wasn't until he got the injury and was forced to DH did he get his batting mechanics figured out.

[DontHateOnNumber2]

I'm looking forward to another year of solid ball from Matsui. The guy plays the game the way it should be played.


Casey

Larry Brown couldn't have said it better.

[LETSGOYANKEEEEES]

The U.S. media doesn't really care that much about Matsui, what he means to the Yankees, etc...at least not this offseason... They're in it for profits and controversy...AKA The Damon ordeal...why? People are passionate about it and watch as a result.

[aeromac76]

Larry Brown couldn't have said it better.

New rule, let's never mention anything relating the Yankees to the Knicks..
Ever..

[Maldonado]

Think of how the Red Sox' world was rocked by the departure of Damon. I for one, as I'm sure most Red Sox fans, thought that it was a given that they would resign Damon. If he would've signed with the Sox, no big deal - it would've been expected. Same goes for Matsui. It was a given that he would sign for us, a huge mistake if he hadn't. But if we hadn't signed Matsui, who would we have in place of him....hmm.

It's another in a long stream of examples how the Yanks demoralize the fan base in Beantown. Damon was the leader of their 2004 season, so to lose him must be especially shocking. As for Matsui, people almost never leave the Yankees unless they are on the decline in their skills, which Matsui most certainly is not.

[BuffaloTwain]

The media response was quiet, granted. A writer here, in Buffalo, said we overpaid. For a .300 hitter, 100 RBI, and every game, every day? No, we didn't.

cash said it was his first priority, and it got done, quickly. Brian has had a good winter, we're about to start having a good spring.

[YankClipper5]

The media response was quiet, granted. A writer here, in Buffalo, said we overpaid. For a .300 hitter, 100 RBI, and every game, every day? No, we didn't.

cash said it was his first priority, and it got done, quickly. Brian has had a good winter, we're about to start having a good spring.

Another point worthy of consideration is that he made an almost seamless transition to NY. Perhaps they could have paid slightly less for equal production, which I find unlikely, especially given this years FA market. Matsui earned his paycheck and if it wasn't here, he would get equal love elsewhere. There is always a bit of a risk in bringing in a new player to the spotlight here. Godzilla has proven to be an offensive force and a workhorse as evidenced by his consecutive games streak.

[BostonYankeeBoy]

It's another in a long stream of examples how the Yanks demoralize the fan base in Beantown. Damon was the leader of their 2004 season, so to lose him must be especially shocking. As for Matsui, people almost never leave the Yankees unless they are on the decline in their skills, which Matsui most certainly is not.

I agree I can't remember any Yankee that has jumped ship in his prime especially to the Red Sox. Off the top of my head I can point to Clemens (who some thought was passed his prime) and now Damon that jumped from the Sox to the Yanks (Clemens came via Toronto though). I could never imagine Matsui or Jeter jumping ship to the Sox at any point in their career.

[freebubba]

Based on production, we definitely did not overpay, we got him for rate. add the fact that based on that same production, he was underpaid by at least $9 - $10 million for the first three years he was with us, I have no problem with his contract (not to mention how much $$$ he means to the organization off the field as well). Very similar to the David Ortiz situation in Boston. If the Sox do not open with at least 4/50, there could be riots on the streets of Boston. Over the last three years (including this year), they have paid him what, $17 million. What a bargain!

[yankees76]

2-3 today ....

[Sam2448]

New rule, let's never mention anything relating the Yankees to the Knicks..
Ever..

Well said.

Matsui is such a dark horse. After Jeter and Mo, I honestly think he's our most valuable player. He's the guy that makes the team roll. He gets on base, knocks in runs, is a solid baserunner, and just plays the game the right way. And I like it better that he gets so overlooked in this lineup. He's not a flashy player, and he doesn't want flashy hype. He just does his job. I think we needed to resign Matsui at all costs.

[luckiestman]

i like matsui alot, but i think it is insane to say he is more valuable than sheff or arod

[SINCE77 2]

i like matsui alot, but i think it is insane to say he is more valuable than sheff or arod

More valuable than Arod? Hell no! But he is of equal value to Sheff at this point in Gary's career imo.

[Rich]

More valuable than Arod? Hell no! But he is of equal value to Sheff at this point in Gary's career imo.

I don't think Matsui is as good as Sheff (2005 EQA: .293 v. .302; RAR 11 v. 9), but I would if I was forced to choose, I would take Matsui over Sheff as a result of the age difference. 0

[SINCE77 2]

I don't think Matsui is as good as Sheff (2005 EQA: .293 v. .302; RAR 11 v. 9), but I would if I was forced to choose, I would take Matsui over Sheff as a result of the age difference. 0

It depends on whether we saw the real Matsui in 2004 or 2005. Welcome back Rich.

[TheDynasty26]

In my opinion, Matsui is the Japanese Jeter. He starts rallys, he gets the big hits, he plays hard every day, he doesnt complain, hes a good teammate, he can do alot of different things, and i think he seems to have a knack for doing the right one at the right time.

i mean the list just goes on and on for this guy. I say Matsui is a big key for our championship this year, and no free agent would have filled his void.

[Rich]

In my opinion, Matsui is the Japanese Jeter. He starts rallys, he gets the big hits, he plays hard every day, he doesnt complain, hes a good teammate, he can do alot of different things, and i think he seems to have a knack for doing the right one at the right time.

i mean the list just goes on and on for this guy. I say Matsui is a big key for our championship this year, and no free agent would have filled his void.

But isn't Jeter really who is, at least in substantial part, because he has been on four championship teams?
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[27IsNext]

But isn't Jeter really who is, at least in substantial part, because he has been on four championship teams?
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True, but at the same time, take away Jeter, and do we win all four? I know he's not Mariano Rivera catalyst, but I sometimes wonder how our late '90s teams would've done without him.

[Rich]

True, but at the same time, take away Jeter, and do we win all four? I know he's not Mariano Rivera catalyst, but I sometimes wonder how our late '90s teams would've done without him.

My post was meant to give Jeter props, not to disparage him.

But to answer your question, it depends on who replaced him.
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