MLB: Yankees� Matsui says he will go if he must, but not to Japan
By Erik Boland
Newsday
There will be some frustration on Hideki Matsui�s part if things don�t work out with the Yankees, but he is ready to move on, if necessary.
�If that happens, yeah, I think that would be disappointing,� Matsui said before Joe Torre�s Safe at Home Foundation Gala at Chelsea Piers on Friday night. �On the other hand, it�s something to look forward to. It means that it�s going to be a new change, something different for me, a new challenge for me. So in that sense, I�ll definitely take it in a positive way. The Yankees have their own plans, too, and you have to respect that.�
The Yankees haven�t disclosed those plans, but at the general managers� meetings last week in Chicago, Brian Cashman made it clear that standout postseasons by any player won�t influence his decisions. He also reiterated that the Yankees view Matsui, 35, solely as a designated hitter and that the outfield is out of the question, as it was in 2009.
Matsui, speaking through his translator, Roger Kahlon, said there haven�t been any talks between the Yankees and his agent, Arn Tellem. He can sign with any team starting Friday. �My feelings are still with the Yankees,� the World Series MVP said, �but as far as progress is concerned, I don�t think anything has happened yet and we�ll just wait and see.�
Torre, who managed Matsui for five seasons, recalled Derek Jeter�s dugout reaction to the strategy of calling for lefthanded relievers to face the lefthanded-hitting Matsui, who has hit lefties well throughout his career.
�It goes back to every time they brought a lefthander in, I remember Derek used to say, �Oh, don�t bring a lefthander in for Matsu, don�t do that,� � Torre said, using Matsui�s nickname. �And invariably he�d hit a double or a home run and (Jeter) would say, �I told you so.� �
(Matsui has batted .294 with a .359 on-base percentage, a .465 slugging percentage and 40 home runs against lefthanders in his seven-year career. He has gone .291-.375-.490 with 100 homers against righthanders.)
Torre added: �He�s a special young man. Sounds like he wants to stay with the Yankees. I hope he gets what he wants.�
If the Yankees pass on Matsui, he�s certain to have other suitors. He won�t return to Japan to play.
Said Matsui, �As of right now, no, I�m not thinking about going to Japan.�