Comments on: Hanshin Talks Matsui

By: Matsui Responds » NPB Tracker

Matsui Responds » NPB Tracker — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:42:33 +0000

[...] other day, Sponichi ran some comments from Hideki Matsui in response to the revelation that Hanshin might be interested in signing him after the season. Here’s what he had to [...]

By: Matsui Drawing Interesting From The Tigers?

Matsui Drawing Interesting From The Tigers? — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:34:23 +0000

[...] not the Detroit Tigers, but the Hanshin Tigers of the Japanese Central League. According to NPB Tracker, members of the Tigers front office have made statements lately that indicate they would like to [...]

By: Japanese clubs interested in Matsui | River Avenue Blues

Japanese clubs interested in Matsui | River Avenue Blues — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:30:35 +0000

[...] Patrick at NPB Tracker rounds up a series of comments from members of the Hanshin Tigers front office, saying that they’d be interested in bringing Hideki Matsui back to Japan after his contract with the Yankees is up after the season. I’m sure the Japanese Leagues have tampering rules, which is probably why the comments are made in a roundabout way. Despite how productive and popular has Matsui has been for the Yanks, there’s zero chance they’ll resign him after the year. The fan in me would much rather see him go out a celebrated hero in his home country than watch him bounce around from team to team as a DH/lefty pinch hitter. Posted on Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 at 1:30 pm in Asides. RSS feed | Trackback URI [...]

By: Thinking out loud 6.17.9 : ctrentrosecrans.com

Thinking out loud 6.17.9 : ctrentrosecrans.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:25:06 +0000

[...] * Hideki Matsui’s future may be with the Tigers — the Hanshin Tigers [...]

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:09:36 +0000

I think he would hit, even in Koshien. I don’t know where he’d play for the Tigers though. Matsui’s legs probably aren’t up to regular outfield duty any more, and anyway left is taken and he’s never had the arm for right. I guess that leaves first base, but he’s never played there as a pro.

By: simon

simon — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:14:15 +0000

He probably won’t hit 40 HR in 120 games if his home park is pitcher friendly Koshien. Pin stripe to pin stripe, it’ll be an appropriate move tho.

By: Tom Dubberke

Tom Dubberke — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:34:49 +0000

My feeling is that this will be Matsui’s last year with the Yankees, based on his age and recent injury problems. If Matsui wants to continue to play for the Yankees, I think he would need to accept 1 year at a drastically reduced salary, like $5M-$7M.

If the Yankees decide not to keep Matsui, I think some of the West Coast teams might well be interested in Matsui on a one-year or two-year contract max.

If any U.S. team makes a decent offer to Matsui, and I think at least one will, it will be hard for Hanshin to match the offer. However, given his U.S. and Japanese success, I think Matsui would be worth more to a Japanese team, to the degree he can stay healthy. If he can play 120 games in a Japanese season, I think he would still hit around 40 HRs.