New York Yankees notes: Matsui, Joba
Yes, the New York Yankees let him go. Monday, however, General Manager Brian Cashman left no doubt he understands the contributions made by Hideki Matsui during his seven season with the team.
The World Series trophy that Hideki Matsui helped secure was on display in Tokyo on Monday, and the Yankees delegation on hand said that the Japanese slugger will be difficult to replace in their lineup.
While they have parted ways, general manager Brian Cashman said that bringing Matsui to New York will go down as one of the best moves he has made, according to a Reuters report.
"I've had some successful signings in Japan; I've had some unsuccessful signings in Japan," Cashman said. "Hideki Matsui will be one of the best deals I ever made.
"We will have future players from Japan on our roster. They will do everything in their power to try to help us win, but I doubt we'll find another Hideki Matsui."
Matsui, 35, hit .292 with 140 home runs and 597 RBIs in seven seasons with the Yankees.
Chamberlain ready to fight for spot in Yankees' rotation - NYPOST.com
Joba Chamberlain knows he has tons of competition for the final spot in the starting rotation. I am thinking that maybe being challenged rather than coddled will be exactly the right medicine for Chamberlain.
"I'm going to go in and understand a lot of guys are fighting for that spot," Chamberlain said after an autograph signing in New Rochelle in conjunction with Steiner Sports. "Nothing is guaranteed."
WFAN - Yanks are Healthy and Happy
From Sweeny Murti:
The Yankees are unusually healthy coming into this season. Last year when spring training began, Jorge Posada was coming off major shoulder surgery, Mariano Rivera had a minor shoulder procedure, Hideki Matsui had his knee scoped, and A-Rod was a few weeks away from hip surgery that took him out of action for the first month of the season.
This year, believe it or not, the Yankees don’t have a single major league player coming into the spring rehabbing a surgical procedure of any kind. No scopes, no shaves, no tweaks. The Yankees aren’t as old as they used to be, but still have a number of aging players. Their ability to stay healthy was a key reason for their success last year and so far it’s carrying over into 2010.
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Who can ever forget Game 6
of the 2009 World Series? Tremendous night for Godzilla, and the cherry on the ice cream was when he took Pedro downtown at the new stadium. Another daddy for Pedro.
Like Damon, Mattie will be missed. He is a class act and these guys come along once in a lifetime. Fun to watch, and a gentleman. Wonder if the Angels will play Blue Oyster Cult’s “Godzilla” when he comes to the plate in LA. The fans there I’m sure will appreciate him.
Health
It’s a little disingenuous to think the Yanks are coming to camp in perfect health. CMW is no longer a Yankee because of his repeated injuries, and two of our biggest 2009 injury worries were allowed to leave via free agency.
The team seems as fragile to me as nearly any other team in the league- AJ, Johnson, and Posada all have big question marks for me. Granderson needs to rebound significantly.
We’re in good shape, but let’s not start the coronation until at least Spring Training’s first batch of sore arms.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
yeah
but until the day the Yankees actually play robots on the field, this is basically a risk everyone shares.
But that risk is not the same for all teams.
Like jscape mentioned, Posada is a question mark because of (1) the position he plays, (2) recent surgery, and (3) his age. While it may be true that Victor Martinez could very well get hurt this season, Posada is a higher injury risk.
This was probably the best time to let Matsui go.
The Yankees will certainly miss him this year, and the Angels will be happy that they signed him. But unless he’s one of those guys who never seems to drop off with age, I suspect the decline is upon him. He’s got tremendous mileage on his body, and Game 6 gave him as much salary bargaining leverage as he will ever have.
As for the rest of the team being healthy, there are some much older guys on this team, and some very young players. Are the Yankees the only team in the majors who still have 4 players from 1996? I suspect that they are.
The 5 spot in the rotation should be Joba’s to lose. If he does lose it, my preferred solution is Joba as set-up, Hughes to get the next shot at it, then Gaudin. Aceves is too valuable as a swingman.
by designatedquitter on Feb 2, 2010 10:37 AM EST reply actions
Prob right
Matsui is prob going to see some decline and anything more than a one year deal was not a good idea – so best of luck, esp in the outfield
But I am not sure that Johnson is the right replacement. Good but not great. I hope he proves me wrong.
You get no argument from me
on the “fragile” status the Yankees. It is like walking on egg shells every day right out of the gate at Spring Training. Johnson is a walking bandade, Posada’ body has been through the woodshed, A.J.‘s health history is what it is, and Pettitte is no youngster. I’m glad that the nails and glue held all together last year, for the most part, but we will no doubt see some of the boys go down this year on the DL. There has been a discreet youth movement as of late, and with the right picks, based on what’s out there, the Yankees will be transformed. Now’s the time for Cashman to earn his money.
Your right Cashman
Igawa, Irabu come to mind as bad Japanese signings. I don’t know how involved Cashman was with either of them, with all the alleged pressure from Tampa but Igawa was as lame brained as it gets. He stunk in Japan, who would think he could have a decent career in MLB ?
Matsui was a great warrior and he gave it all for the team. I am glad he got the ultimate reward, a WS ring. Is Nick Johnson really going to be an improvement ? For a few million more Damon could have been a Yankee this year, noodle arm and all. I am hoping the team chemistry has not been altered too severely. Vasquez will probably be seen a s agreat pickup and Granderson is also a welcome addition.
I am still far from convinced that Joba has the makeup to be a starting pitcher. When he starts his velocity has been way down, he has been prone to injuries and his mental approach very different from his setup role. I like him in the 8th and possibly being groomed to take over the closers role.
While Igawa has certainly failed here stateside,
to say he “stunk in Japan” is gross overstatement. He led the league in strikeouts three times and won the Sawamura award once. While I’m no fan of the writers’ awards (Cy Young, MVP, etc.), he was recognized in Japan as one of their top pitchers.
Where the failure lies is in determining how his “stuff” would play in the US, but to say he was no good is inaccurate.
I don't see the Yankees
as being any more “fragile” than any other team, they’ve all got potential problems. We let two major chronic injury plagued guys go, Damon and Matsui, and Posada will be fine, especially having his playing time behind the plate lessened. Johnson, to me, will be DH’ing more than anything so his likelihood of injury should be minimized and even if he did go down, someone like Miranda could be brought in to DH opening up the 2-hole for Granderson. Pitching is always iffy when it comes to injury and as it stands, I think we’re looking pretty good.
Damn that trophy looks beautiful....
-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 Feb 2, 2010 12:25 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Damn that's class....
Matsui crossing party lines and shit lol…
-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 Feb 2, 2010 11:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I can't help but wonder
what Matsui would look like at age 35 if he would not have took the dive vs Boston that broke his wrist?He never missed a game before it and after it happened he had 1 injury after another.Seemed like that first real injury spiraled into more.
I feel like a clown without my funny nose
by cashman bashman on Feb 2, 2010 11:43 PM EST reply actions
I don’t see how a wrist injury relates to his knees unless he was a big basestealer that used to dive head first into bags and then after the injury started diving feet first.
by Scooby Snacks on Feb 3, 2010 1:39 AM EST up reply actions

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