In Sunday's Post, I wrote a column about the death of the traditional DH; the single-dimensional type who need not even have a fielding mitt ordered for him. During the course of reporting on the column, I was told by several Yankee executives that there is almost zero chance that Hideki Matsui will be re-signed after the season, even if he were to finish with a strong season and despite the strong presence he affords them in Japan.
It shouldn't come as much of a shock, but that was the first time I've heard it from people within the organization, in such definite terms.
Matsui is unable to play the field, stay healthy or really hit at the level that should be expected from a DH. He's hit 7 HRs and has a 116 OPS+, but the facts are he can't even be trusted to play a corner outfield position and is going to be 36 next season. If the Yanks are looking to get younger, like they have said in the past, and more versatile like others have suggested, Matsui just isn't the right fit.
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Matsui has been a good offensive player when he's healthy, but ever since he broke his wrist, he hasn't been able to stay on the field. Over the past three years, he's been getting paid $13M to play an average of 95 games. That's pretty terrible, but you don't hear people whining about how overpaid he is. He was a good dude, but he's not going to be missed all that much on the field.
ReplyDeleteWithout Matsui what would tonight's score be?
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