Angels About To Sign Matsui

"The Angels are in serious discussions with Hideki Matsui for a DH role, reports ESPN's Jayson Stark. Stark's colleague Buster Olney tweeted that he's heard Matsui's one-year deal with the Angels is for about $6.5MM. Olney clarified to me via email that the Angels and Matsui are "on the verge" of an agreement.

Matsui, 35, hit .274/.367/.509 in 526 plate appearances for the Yankees this year, spending no time in the field. He earned $13MM in the last year of a deal signed in November of '05. Stark notes that a Matsui signing would mark the end of Vladimir Guerrero's Angels career (MLBTradeRumors)."

I think this would be a good stop gap signing for the Angels. They have said that pitching is their focus, and if that is the case Matsui has enough in him to be affective for at least 1 more year. I would rather have Matsui then Vlad next year, but that's just me...

Red Sox Hot On Matsui?

A story on Nikkansports.com and translated by NPB Tracker reported Wednesday that the Red Sox were preparing a multi-year offer for Hideki Matsui to be the team's regular left fielder.

I wouldn't mind this at all. Hideki would be an upgrade for Ortiz at DH and I trust him enough to play outfield from time to time. He proved that he can still play as he just won the World Series MVP, and his bat would be a great 6th or 7th bat in the Sox lineup. I don't believe it will actually happen, but would welcome him with open arms to Boston.

Yankees 8 Red Sox 4

So much for a pitcher's duel. The Yankees lit up Josh Beckett for 8 runs over 8 innings, including 5 home runs which is a career high for Beckett. The Yankees jumped out fast, as Jeter went deep before the lineups were ever announced (first pitch). Matsui followed going deep on the 1st pitch of the 2nd innings. Beckett was having trouble keeping his fastball down in the zone, and the Yankees just have too much power to leave balls up.

Beckett eventually settled down, but not until he had already let up 7 runs. After pitching a scoreless 6th and 7th inning, Beckett let up his last bomb of the night to Matsui (his 2nd of the game). Boston had their chances to put some runs on the board, as they had 9 hits in the game, but 8 runs is just too much to overcome.

Sabathia may not have dazzled, but he just pounds the strike zone, and has been everything the Yankees have needed. Sabathia is 20-2 in August since 2005, which is just fucking silly.

Anyways, with the loss the Sox are now only 1 game up in the the Wild Card race.

Yankees Getting Rid Of Matsui

"According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post Yankees executives say "there is almost zero chance that Hideki Matsui will be re-signed after the season." Even a strong finish this season wouldn't figure to be enough for the Yankees to bring Matsui back, because they want more roster flexibility. Players like Jorge Posada, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez could all benefit from DHing at times, but that's difficult if Matsui can't play in the field regularly. Matsui has said he would like to remain a Yankee and he gives the team a presence in the Japanese market (Sportsline)."

Well this should come as no shocker. Matsui is a decent bat, but he is getting old and seem to be extremely injury prone. The Yankees need to get younger in their lineup, and Matsui just takes away too much flexibility from their lineup. It is really funny yo read this, since some clown in my fantasy baseball league traded Carl Crawford for this ass clown.