Matsui signing absent from Hot Stove reflections

BombersBlvd · 03-02-06, 11:43 PM

Now that spring training is here and the better part of the offseason has concluded, I noticed many sports writers failed to factor in the Matsui signing when grading the Yankees' winter Hot Stove activity. Perhaps, the focus was maintained on newer faces, obviously Damon, and to a lesser extent Farnsworth and Dotel, Meyers, etc. But, the truth is, the Yankees also secured a not too shabby left fielder during the winter as well. Granted, he was re-signed, but it was a pretty huge acquisition nevertheless. I think this was possibly lost on a lot of those who were evaluating the Yankees' offseason.

**SoCal Pinstriper** · 03-02-06, 11:48 PM

I think that most observers assumed that Matsui staying was a gimmie. He'd made it very clear that he wanted to stay, and never veered from that course.

I agree with you that it was overlooked, but I can undestand why.

Just imagine the uproar had we failed to get that done.

***silverdsl*** · 03-03-06, 10:32 AM

I agree that it wasn't mentioned because everyone assumed that it would happen. It also happened relatively quietly which isn't always the case for a lot of signings/re-signings. But that's what Matsui is all about - quietly going about his business of being a very good player for the Yankees.

DontHateOnNumber2 · 03-03-06, 08:49 PM

I agree, though this doesn't seem to be the case for Yankees fans it seems like many articles speak more of Damon and the facelift on the bullpen. Then again, during the season Matsui said they would deal with it in the offseason and that he wanted to come back. Apparently everything went well.

JDPNYY · 03-03-06, 08:58 PM

I think Matsui has been left out of this discussion because today (being a fine day in the year 2004) is Matsui Day.

CaptainCargo · 03-06-06, 01:14 PM

I'm looking forward to another year of solid ball from Matsui. The guy plays the game the way it should be played.

Casey

slickknick · 03-06-06, 03:24 PM

Think of how the Red Sox' world was rocked by the departure of Damon. I for one, as I'm sure most Red Sox fans, thought that it was a given that they would resign Damon. If he would've signed with the Sox, no big deal - it would've been expected. Same goes for Matsui. It was a given that he would sign for us, a huge mistake if he hadn't. But if we hadn't signed Matsui, who would we have in place of him....hmm.

YankClipper5 · 03-06-06, 04:30 PM

I don't believe he actually hit the FA market. Unless I am mistaken he re-signed within the time frame set out in his contract, maybe that is why it is overlooked. Not much was mentioned of him on the hot stove because he never reached a point in which he could sign elsewhere.

yankees76 · 03-06-06, 10:41 PM

The original point is a good one, though. The Matsui re-signing absolutely counts as an offseason move by the Yanks. They could have let him go. It is a great signing for the going OF rate ($13 million).

yankees76 · 03-06-06, 10:42 PM

Btw, it's only ST, but Matsui is 5-6.

puckmaster87 · 03-07-06, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yankees76

Btw, it's only ST, but Matsui is 5-6.

Yeah, he's looked pretty locked in. Hopefully he can keep it up and not start off in a slump like last year when he played a few great games then went into a slump.

161 and River Ave. · 03-07-06, 12:57 AM

I remember this time last year when a lot of people, myself included, we're predicting Matsui for AL MVP.

Edchiro · 03-07-06, 08:31 AM

Yanks acquired/re-signed 2 OFs for less than the Mets will be paying Beltran. Nice job, Cash.

justinvarnes · 03-07-06, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edchiro

Yanks acquired/re-signed 2 OFs for less than the Mets will be paying Beltran. Nice job, Cash.

Excellent point.

27IsNext · 03-07-06, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puckmaster87

Yeah, he's looked pretty locked in. Hopefully he can keep it up and not start off in a slump like last year when he played a few great games then went into a slump.

The slump was actually an extended power slump where he didn't hit a home run in like two months. It wasn't until he got the injury and was forced to DH did he get his batting mechanics figured out.

DontHateOnNumber2 · 03-07-06, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCargo

I'm looking forward to another year of solid ball from Matsui. The guy plays the game the way it should be played.

Casey

Larry Brown couldn't have said it better.

LETSGOYANKEEEEES · 03-07-06, 10:23 AM

The U.S. media doesn't really care that much about Matsui, what he means to the Yankees, etc...at least not this offseason... They're in it for profits and controversy...AKA The Damon ordeal...why? People are passionate about it and watch as a result.

aeromac76 · 03-07-06, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DontHateOnNumber2

Larry Brown couldn't have said it better.

New rule, let's never mention anything relating the Yankees to the Knicks..
Ever..

Maldonado · 03-07-06, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickknick

Think of how the Red Sox' world was rocked by the departure of Damon. I for one, as I'm sure most Red Sox fans, thought that it was a given that they would resign Damon. If he would've signed with the Sox, no big deal - it would've been expected. Same goes for Matsui. It was a given that he would sign for us, a huge mistake if he hadn't. But if we hadn't signed Matsui, who would we have in place of him....hmm.

It's another in a long stream of examples how the Yanks demoralize the fan base in Beantown. Damon was the leader of their 2004 season, so to lose him must be especially shocking. As for Matsui, people almost never leave the Yankees unless they are on the decline in their skills, which Matsui most certainly is not.

BuffaloTwain · 03-07-06, 01:11 PM

The media response was quiet, granted. A writer here, in Buffalo, said we overpaid. For a .300 hitter, 100 RBI, and every game, every day? No, we didn't.

cash said it was his first priority, and it got done, quickly. Brian has had a good winter, we're about to start having a good spring.

03-02-06, 11:43 PM	#1
BombersBlvd NYYF Cy Young Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Nutley	Matsui signing absent from Hot Stove reflections Now that spring training is here and the better part of the offseason has concluded, I noticed many sports writers failed to factor in the Matsui signing when grading the Yankees' winter Hot Stove activity. Perhaps, the focus was maintained on newer faces, obviously Damon, and to a lesser extent Farnsworth and Dotel, Meyers, etc. But, the truth is, the Yankees also secured a not too shabby left fielder during the winter as well. Granted, he was re-signed, but it was a pretty huge acquisition nevertheless. I think this was possibly lost on a lot of those who were evaluating the Yankees' offseason.

03-02-06, 11:48 PM	#2
SoCal Pinstriper Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Angeles	Re: Matsui signing absent from Hot Stove reflections I think that most observers assumed that Matsui staying was a gimmie. He'd made it very clear that he wanted to stay, and never veered from that course. I agree with you that it was overlooked, but I can undestand why. Just imagine the uproar had we failed to get that done.
	__________________ Like NYYFans.com??? Take the time to click an ad, remember to make Amazon purchases through the link that appears here, or better yet, just hit the paypal button. - Hans

03-03-06, 10:32 AM	#3
*silverdsl* Voice of Reason Join Date: May 2000 Location: NJ	Re: Matsui signing absent from Hot Stove reflections I agree that it wasn't mentioned because everyone assumed that it would happen. It also happened relatively quietly which isn't always the case for a lot of signings/re-signings. But that's what Matsui is all about - quietly going about his business of being a very good player for the Yankees.
	__________________ http://www.aplaceformyphotos.com/blog/ I do not post on NoMaas. That silverdsl is not this silverdsl.

03-03-06, 08:49 PM	#4
DontHateOnNumber2 NYYF Legend Join Date: May 2004 Location: Florida	Re: Matsui signing absent from Hot Stove reflections I agree, though this doesn't seem to be the case for Yankees fans it seems like many articles speak more of Damon and the facelift on the bullpen. Then again, during the season Matsui said they would deal with it in the offseason and that he wanted to come back. Apparently everything went well.
	__________________ New York Yankees, 2009 World Series Champions. 27 Time World Champions.

03-03-06, 08:58 PM	#5
JDPNYY fired... again Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Randleman, NC	Re: Matsui signing absent from Hot Stove reflections I think Matsui has been left out of this discussion because today (being a fine day in the year 2004) is Matsui Day.
	__________________ There is lambswool under my naked feet.

03-06-06, 01:14 PM	#6
CaptainCargo Shut up and drive Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Outer Galactic Rim	Re: Matsui signing absent from Hot Stove reflections I'm looking forward to another year of solid ball from Matsui. The guy plays the game the way it should be played. Casey
	__________________ We have enough youth. How about a fountain of "smart"?

03-06-06, 03:24 PM	#7
slickknick Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Orlando, FL	Re: Matsui signing absent from Hot Stove reflections Think of how the Red Sox' world was rocked by the departure of Damon. I for one, as I'm sure most Red Sox fans, thought that it was a given that they would resign Damon. If he would've signed with the Sox, no big deal - it would've been expected. Same goes for Matsui. It was a given that he would sign for us, a huge mistake if he hadn't. But if we hadn't signed Matsui, who would we have in place of him....hmm.

03-06-06, 04:30 PM	#8
YankClipper5 Addicted Member Join Date: Jul 2005	Re: Matsui signing absent from Hot Stove reflections I don't believe he actually hit the FA market. Unless I am mistaken he re-signed within the time frame set out in his contract, maybe that is why it is overlooked. Not much was mentioned of him on the hot stove because he never reached a point in which he could sign elsewhere.

03-06-06, 10:41 PM	#9
yankees76 NYYF Cy Young Join Date: Dec 2003	Re: Matsui signing absent from Hot Stove reflections The original point is a good one, though. The Matsui re-signing absolutely counts as an offseason move by the Yanks. They could have let him go. It is a great signing for the going OF rate ($13 million).

03-06-06, 10:42 PM	#10
yankees76 NYYF Cy Young Join Date: Dec 2003	Re: Matsui signing absent from Hot Stove reflections Btw, it's only ST, but Matsui is 5-6.

03-07-06, 12:57 AM	#12
161 and River Ave. NYYF Triple Crown Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: 161 and River Ave, Long Island, Scranton,PA	Re: Matsui signing absent from Hot Stove reflections I remember this time last year when a lot of people, myself included, we're predicting Matsui for AL MVP.
	__________________

03-07-06, 08:31 AM	#13
Edchiro Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Transplanted L Islander in PA	Re: Matsui signing absent from Hot Stove reflections Yanks acquired/re-signed 2 OFs for less than the Mets will be paying Beltran. Nice job, Cash.

03-07-06, 10:23 AM	#17
LETSGOYANKEEEEES Released Outright Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jersey	Re: Matsui signing absent from Hot Stove reflections The U.S. media doesn't really care that much about Matsui, what he means to the Yankees, etc...at least not this offseason... They're in it for profits and controversy...AKA The Damon ordeal...why? People are passionate about it and watch as a result.

03-07-06, 01:11 PM	#20
BuffaloTwain Member Join Date: Sep 2005	Re: Matsui signing absent from Hot Stove reflections The media response was quiet, granted. A writer here, in Buffalo, said we overpaid. For a .300 hitter, 100 RBI, and every game, every day? No, we didn't. cash said it was his first priority, and it got done, quickly. Brian has had a good winter, we're about to start having a good spring.
	__________________ "It is high, it is far.... IT IS GONE!"

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