Nick Johnson, Matsui, and the DH

According to MLBTR, the Yankees are nearing a one year deal with Nick Johnson worth approximately $5.5-6 million, or about the same price for which we could have gotten back Hideki Matsui, who signed with the Angels for a one year, $6 million deal on Wednesday. This makes it highly unlikely that the Yankees will bring back Johnny Damon, who will want at least a two year deal worth $20 million or more. Both Johnson and Matsui are injury risks but are cheaper than Damon and provide more flexibility next year when a large crop of free agents that includes Joe Mauer hits the market, giving the Yankees the possibility of signing Mauer and moving Jorge Posada to DH.

At this point, you have to wonder what made Brian Cashman decide to take Johnson, an ex-Yankee, over Matsui, a career Yankee and postseason hero. Let's look at their statistics:

Nick Johnson, 30:

2009: 8 HR, 62 RBI, 99BB, .291 / .426 / .405, .831 OPS, 122 OPS+

Career: .273 / .402 / .447, .849 OPS, 125 OPS+

Hideki Matsui, 35:

2009: 28 HR, 90 RBI, 64BB, .274 / .367 / .509, .876 OPS, 131 OPS+

Johnson's power numbers were down in 2009, although his low RBI total is a result of playing for the Nationals and the Marlins. Both Johnson and Matsui are left-handed, so Johnson can expect his HR totals to rise thanks to the short porch in Yankee Stadium. He posted a better average than Matsui and a much better walk rate which led to an excellent OBP - higher than his slugging percentage. Johnson also gives us a bit more flexibility than Matsui, as he can play a fair first base on days when Mark Teixeira is DHing.

Matsui is probably the better pure hitter than Johnson and has better power and a much better slugging percentage. However, he doesn't walk quite as much, though his OBP isn't terrible. Whereas Johnson will find his way into the #2 spot where his high OBP will lead to a lot of RBIs for Teixeira and A-Rod, Matsui is better suited to the #5 spot, where his strong bat will provide some protection to A-Rod above him. Matsui also has other benefits, namely his professionalism and the Japanese fanbase that he attracts, which provides an additional source of revenue and increases Yankee popularity in the world's second-largest baseball market (baseball is Japan's most popular sport) and the source of many future high profile free agents coming out of the same league that produced Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki.

You can't argue with Cashman's decision to go with Johnson's high OBP over Matsui's bat and creaky knees, but it does make me sad to see Matsui go after the great, productive run here and the amazing finish to the postseason. Matsui is a great player and professional and keeping him would remind Japan that there are more teams out there than the Seattle Mariners. However, since it looks like Johnson in pinstripes (again) is going to become a reality, it's better to look ahead than look back.

Johnson is an injury risk and will probably only play 100-120 games even if he is healthy as we will need to rest A-Rod, Jorge, Jeter, and Teixeira on occasion (can someone give Robinson Cano some credit for averaging 160 games played for the past three seasons?). Thankfully, as others have pointed out, we have a fully serviceable DH in Juan Miranda who can take Johnson's place if (when?) he gets injured. Mirandi hit 19 HRs and had 82 RBI in 122 games this season for SWB, hitting .290 / .369 / .498. However, strikeouts may be a concern, as he struck out 101 times in 438 AB. In 8 games in the majors this season, he had 3 hits in 9 AB with a HR and 4 strikeouts.

The one good thing about this is that it guarantees that the Yankees won't be signing Vladimir Guerrero, as it was rumored that they would do so in retaliation for the Angels signing Matsui.

In Cash We Trust.