From our new friends at Lohud:
While the Yankees believe Damon would still be able to handle left field again next season, Cashman said Matsui is only a designated hitter. “He may very well be an outfielder for somebody else,” Cashman said. For the Yankees, though, Matsui is strictly a DH.
Doesn’t exactly give you the impression that Cashman wants Matsui back. And it is time to move on. It’s naive to think the Yanks can bring back the same aging team, and expect the same levels of performance and durability.
As far as the comment about Damon being able to “handle left field,” if “handle” = having a live body in left, then sure. If “handle” means playing a good LF, then Damon is not the answer. He was terrible defensively this season (-12.1 UZR/150).
19 Comments
pat November 12, 2009 00:21
you mean -12.1 uzr
Bianco November 12, 2009 00:25
What is wrong with a player with a 12.1 UZR/150 ?
Kevin S. November 12, 2009 00:58
Besides the fact that his name is not Johnny Damon?
Looks like NoMaas fixed that, though.
Shotgun_Sam November 12, 2009 01:29
Probably another one of Cashman’s smokescreens. The rotating DH idea is only a good one if you have a strong bench; Matsui provides a very solid bat and can hit lefties quite well. With him at DH you can give Posada full blown days off when he needs them, instead of making sure his bat is represented in every game.
Oh, and there honestly can’t be another GM that believes Godzilla can field for them.
danthrax November 12, 2009 09:48
i gotta tell ya..i’m getting real tired of watching guys go first to third on routine singles to mid to shallow left field. damon’s rag arm is embarrassing. so is the fact that every fly ball seems to be an adventure.
Business Suit November 12, 2009 13:23
Neither of these two are capable LFs, Damon just manages to make his impact for a full year, something Matsui couldn’t do.
Hopefully Matsui is back next year on a one year deal, with an option even. I want this bat in the DH slot.
INTERNESTED READERS November 12, 2009 14:57
Damon for a short, cheap deal.
Matsui out.
Holiday in.
Cuban Bee November 12, 2009 16:41
I personally believe that the rotating DH idea can work, with one stipulation – sign Chone figgins and bring Damon back. that way, Figgins can play left, while Damon DHs, then the next day same thing with A-rod and 3rd, next day same thing with Jeter and short, so on and so forth. Figgins is a great talent who can play lots of different positions in the field. Do it, Cash. DO IT.
Bob November 13, 2009 06:51
Matsui is an adept, timely hitter behind Alex. He is a quality DH and possibly perform part-time in left field. Matsui appears to have mastered, New York, an arduous city to perform professional sports during playoff time.
Steveo November 13, 2009 09:19
I would love to see Figgens playing left for us. Hes a lock for 30 or more stolen bases. Plus hes plays a quality infielder. Pull the trigger Cashmoney.
swedski November 13, 2009 11:53
I dont mind seeing both back. I think they are capable of producing one more year maybe even two, BUT what I don’t want to see is the Yanks lock up big money over several years for them. The market is not going to be great so I think if the Yanks are smart and wait they can get both relatively cheap. If Boras ot Tellum play hardball go after Figgins and play one off the other. Either way I think the Yanks win.
If they want to be part of a ‘special’ team then it is beneficial to them to sign a one-year with the Yanks.
The ‘market’ favors the teams right now. When the market favors the players then the Yanks have to (and have in the past) pay more.
It is what it is!
DavidRiccio November 13, 2009 12:40
Hideki Matsui is to the Yankees like crumbled blue cheese is to a leaf pile.
lance bass November 13, 2009 14:00
delicious?
mortgages November 14, 2009 00:13
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RustyJohn November 14, 2009 22:04
Let Matsui go so he can play out here in Seattle with the All Cripple DH Squad of Griffey and Branyan.
Jason November 15, 2009 00:23
Matsui will be back.
Ban Bud November 18, 2009 17:07
I wonder if it might be time to let Juan Miranda get a shot at the DH slot. His AAA number show he can certainly hit, and hit with power; using him as part of a DH platoon would free up several million dollars that could be used towards addressing concerns in the outfield and in the rotation.
Kevin S. November 18, 2009 17:54
Juan Miranda’s AAA numbers came in his age-25 and -26 seasons; they don’t show anything about what he can do on the major-league level. Yeah, maybe somebody should give him a shot, but a team planning on contending for a WS should gamble its DH spot on him.
MiikeD November 21, 2009 18:00
The belief seems to be that the Yankees will bring back Damon and cut ties with Matsui. I think it will be just the opposite because Damon is going to want (and will most likely get) more than a one-year deal, so the Yankees will let him go and instead sign Holliday. They will bring back Matsui on a one-year deal to give them 450 ABs at the DH slot.