New York Yankees News & Notes: Thanks for the memories, Godzilla

by Ed Valentine on Dec 15, 2009 7:18 AM EST in New York Yankees News

Hideki Matsui is now a member of the Angels. So, thank you Hideki for seven terrific seasons as a Yankee. Oh, and especially for this.

I was surprised Monday by Boston's signing of Mike Cameron, which leaves Jason Bay and Matt Holliday on the market. I still believe the Yankees most logical, and best, course of action is to re-sign Johnny Damon. That isn't going to happen, however, until Damon and uber-agent Scott Boras realize his price tag has got to come down. With Bay and Holliday still available, and Curtis Granderson already in pinstripes, the Yankees are firmly in the driver's seat here. I believe they will eventually get Damon at their price.

As for Boston's signing of John Lackey I'm not worried about that much, either. Lackey's good, but not Roy Halladay/Cliff Lee good. Besides, the Yankee pitching is fine. And the addition of a Ben Sheets/Justin Duscherer type would be enough for me at this point.

Want to show off your love for the Yankees? How about getting yourself a 2009 World Series vanity license plate.

The Yankees didn't want Chien-Ming Wang. It seems like there sure are a lot of team, however, interested in acquiring the former Yankee ace.

You had to figure this would happen eventually. Nick Swisher is now a TV star.

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A sad, sad offseason. Kinda.

Its not going to feel the same without Matsui. He was our MVP, and he was my biggest wish to come back this year. I wish him the best with Anaheim and hope he finds the same success there he found in NY (unless its against us).

Ill also miss CMW. Personally speaking, I love to see a guy bounce back from a huge injury and I feel like the Yankees aren’t giving him a chance to become a star again (unless you count last year, which I don’t). I wish him the best too.

At least we have Grand Central.

by Gelatin on Dec 15, 2009 7:35 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Thanks for the memories Godzilla!

PICS from the Matsui Museum in Japan

by Scooby Snacks on Dec 15, 2009 8:18 AM EST reply actions

Really stupid move

Matsui’s .290 avg, 25+ hrs, usually good for 90-100 rbis and he is clutch. Oh yeah and he is a lefty and can hit lefties well. Yeah he also was your WS MVP and you don’t bother to resign him? FOR 7 MILLION?! Really disappointed by this and releasing Wang. Two players with huge upsides for basically peanuts.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Dec 15, 2009 8:22 AM EST reply actions

The beloved Joe Morgan will kick off the NYY 2010 season at BOS

ESPN2 will broadcast the game nationally for the Sunday night (8PM?) April 4th season opener. The pitching matchup presumably will be CC vs. Beckett. I’ll be watching the game on YES.

by Scooby Snacks on Dec 15, 2009 9:09 AM EST reply actions

lets see how many

griffey references he makes.

by justinxyankeesfan on Dec 15, 2009 9:10 AM EST up reply actions

WOW CASHMAN

7 damn million to get this guy back

by schmosterballs92 on Dec 15, 2009 9:23 AM EST reply actions

Montero-for-Matsui swap?

by Scooby Snacks on Dec 15, 2009 9:42 AM EST up reply actions

Discipline

Cash has it. Some on this board do not.

DHs can easily be found. Yes, Mats was good and I personally would have liked to see him come back for one year and $7m but Cash has a plan and he is staying with it. See any offers out there for Damon?

Red Sox added a good pitcher but may now go trade Buckholtz for a bat so that is a swap – edge Lackey.

Swap Bay for Cameron – edge Bay. Red Sox have marginally improved.

What now? A calculated risk on an injury comback pitcher such as Sheets and a LF somewhere if the price is right. Holliday is talking LONG term with the Cards and I would not want to go there.

What will Nady cost and what are the chances he will be an impact player again? I can see him DH’g to start the season with Melky in LF.

Then again there is Bay.

by MSP Giant on Dec 15, 2009 10:24 AM EST reply actions

Nady won’t be ready until May at the earliest but I agree with your assessment otherwise.

by KingHenrik on Dec 15, 2009 10:59 AM EST up reply actions

ya...

but don’t forget, if Bucholz is traded, red Sox has got to get a bat for that, so It would be

Bucholz, Bay for Cameron, Lackey and the bat.

by Vancouverguy on Dec 15, 2009 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

Gonezilla...

I was hoping in my heart of hearts he would return, but realistically – it makes sense to let him walk away. This leaves the DH spot more open for a rotation of guys, which is better for this aging lineup.

by NumberSeven on Dec 15, 2009 1:18 PM EST reply actions

And even though you'll be our AL rival now,

you will always be in our heart,

and you will always be Pedro’s Daddy

by Mike1204 on Dec 15, 2009 1:29 PM EST reply actions

GODZILLAAAAAA

I will miss chanting that from the seats. Thanks for all the great years with the Yankees. You will ALWAYS be cheered here in the Bronx.

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Dec 15, 2009 2:39 PM EST reply actions

Thank you Matsui

for 7 terrific seasons. You were a great hitter for this team, and when you were healthy, one of the best in the game. You will always be cheered in the Bronx. We’re not Sox fans. We cheer the players who come back after they help win a championship.

Good luck in LA Matsui. I wish you the best of luck.

by nyyrocks29 on Dec 15, 2009 3:02 PM EST reply actions

Thanks Godzilla

7 seasons of consistency and professionalism.
Big hit in 2003 ALCS.
GOOD LUCK

by trueblue2 on Dec 15, 2009 4:12 PM EST reply actions

Everybody is entitled to their opinions....

And here is mine…

This is bullshit….

-Announcemen Forwarded To The Following: Boston Blowsox, New York Pets, Philadelphia Phonies, And Any Other Team Who Ain't The With The Empire.................

Getcha' Fuccin Rings Up........

by NYYWinsRings27 on Dec 15, 2009 7:12 PM EST via mobile reply actions