According to Bob Klapisch of the Bergen Record, the Yankees are not initiating calls with representatives for free agent DH-types.
They don’t really need to. With plenty of veteran hitters left in the free agent market, the Yankees have the ability to field calls from desperate agents and wait for the best possible deal. Carlos Pena, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Vladimir Guerrero and Raul Ibanez have all been mentioned as possible fits.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Athletics, Hideki Matsui, news
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, there has been “some contact” between the Yankees and free agent Hideki Matsui.
The Yankees reportedly only have $1-2 million in their budget for a DH, so Matsui might be a cheaper option than either Carlos Pena or Johnny Damon. The 37-year-old batted .251/.321/.375 with 12 homers and 72 RBI with the A’s last season and previously played with New York from 2003-2009. The Yankees will likely shuffle many of their veteran players out of the DH spot throughout the season, but Matsui could be paired with the the righty-hitting Andruw Jones.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Athletics, Hideki Matsui, news
Hideki Matsui is ”one of three players” the Dodgers are targeting this offseason, according to Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
Matsui is coming off a disappointing season with Oakland but could provide the type of left-handed hitting depth the Dodgers are reportedly seeking. The 37-year-old managed just 232 1/3 innings in the outfield last season, so he’s presumably nothing more than a fallback option. Over his nine-year career, he has a .986 fielding percentage.
Source: go.com
Tagged as: Athletics, Hideki Matsui, matsuhi01, news
Athletics general manager Billy Beane has intimated that Hideki Matsui returning in 2012 is unlikely.
A big second half propelled Matsui to a .251/.321/.375 batting line with 12 homers and 72 RBI over 517 at-bats, but he can’t play the outfield anymore and the A’s have other options in Chris Carter and Brandon Allen for the DH spot. The 37-year-old should be able to latch on with someone, though.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Athletics, Hideki Matsui, matsuhi01, news