Hideki Matsui

[longshot7]

Cowley tweets:

 

Ok, here's the deal with Matsui. He has been cleared by doctor to play outfield and DH. Out of loyalty, he will wait for Yanks...

 

to say yes or no. Then come Jan. he will listen to Sox. Slow process, but could happen. Sox are atop his list after Yanks said ...

 

Multiple sources. Sox could go out to Cali next week and meet with him to check the knee in person.

 

The good news for the Sox is Matsui told the Japanese media that its not about money or years, its about opportunity to play some OF.

 

KW is about to talk and Japanese media is here looking for answers. It's on.

[Chisoxfn]

Fantastic. I really think this makes a ton of sense. I don't think it drags out that long because I think the Yankees will tell him no sooner than that.

[gatnom]

Fantastic. I really think this makes a ton of sense. I don't think it drags out that long because I think the Yankees will tell him no sooner than that.

 

I am a little leery of this because his main desire is to play some OF. It makes sense if he were a pure DH, but even splitting time in the field isn't a very good idea IMO.

[nitetrain8601]

With the way Ozzie wants to rotate people out of the DH spot, I wouldn't mind promising Matsui some OF time. Also, I'm not sure if it already has been mentioned, but apparently, Ozzie wants Mark Redmond to be the backup catcher to AJ.

[Kalapse]

Well, it looks like we won't be upgrading from Dye's defense after all. Fun.

[Chisoxfn]

I am a little leery of this because his main desire is to play some OF. It makes sense if he were a pure DH, but even splitting time in the field isn't a very good idea IMO.

I understand people are concerned, but if he gets the okay from Doctors he will be okay in left. Will he be great, no, will he be average, probably not, will he be the worse left fielder in baseball, I doubt it.

 

I think Matsui wants the shot to show he can play left and if he earns it great. It is nice to know he can play. Pods isn't a good left fielder, he's a poor one, so the club has already been putting crap out in left for a while. Rios is an above average center-fielder and Quentin is probably better suited for right than left so as a whole I'd say our outfield defense is still improved.

 

I'd expect Matsui wouldn't get more than 1-3 starts a week in the outfield (at most) and the team clearly is still looking at Pods/Crisp to round out the starting lineup.

 

Plus if offering up the ocassional outfield gets Matsui in Chicago, do it, he really is a good offensive player and his skill-set will be a real nice fit in the middle of our order. The big if to me is his heatlhy, if he's heatlhy, he'll be a very very productive player.

[Kalapse]

I understand people are concerned, but if he gets the okay from Doctors he will be okay in left. Will he be great, no, will he be average, probably not, will he be the worse left fielder in baseball, I doubt it.

 

I think Matsui wants the shot to show he can play left and if he earns it great. It is nice to know he can play. Pods isn't a good left fielder, he's a poor one, so the club has already been putting crap out in left for a while. Rios is an above average center-fielder and Quentin is probably better suited for right than left so as a whole I'd say our outfield defense is still improved.

 

I'd expect Matsui wouldn't get more than 1-3 starts a week in the outfield (at most) and the team clearly is still looking at Pods/Crisp to round out the starting lineup.

 

Plus if offering up the ocassional outfield gets Matsui in Chicago, do it, he really is a good offensive player and his skill-set will be a real nice fit in the middle of our order. The big if to me is his heatlhy, if he's heatlhy, he'll be a very very productive player.

Podsednik isn't a good outfielder but he has speed to make up for poor reads, Matsui can barely move. Matsui's career UZR/150 in LF is -14.4, Dye was a -22.4 in right over the past 3 years. And now he hasn't played the position regularly in 3 years and is coming off 2 knee surgeries.

 

And just because we've been sending bad defenders out there doesn't mean it's ok to settle for more bad defense in the future. That's like say; we've always had bad thrid baseman, so plugging in another bad one shouldn't really matter.

[Thad Bosley]

Why is Ozzie making such a big deal out of this rotating DH business? A guy like Matsui is not known for his defense. He's known for his offense, so why would it be so critical to see him lumbering around out in left field? The only way this arrangement could make any sense at all would be if Podsednik ends up in left field, in which case you wouldn't be losing anything defensively. But if you had a guy like Crisp, or better yet, a Crawford or an Upton running around out there, why in the world would you think about rotating a DH-type into that mix? Offense should be the priority at the DH spot, and a guy like Matsui swings the bat more than well enough to adequately fill that role. After that, though, I just don't see why it would be important for him to occasionally put on the glove.

[Chisoxfn]

Podsednik isn't a good outfielder but he has speed to make up for poor reads, Matsui can barely move. Matsui's career UZR/150 in LF is -14.4, Dye was a -22.4. And now he hasn't played the position regularly in 3 years and is coming off 2 knee surgeries.

 

And just because we've been sending bad defenders out there doesn't mean it's ok to settle for more bad defense in the future. That's like say; we've always had bad thrid baseman, so plugging in another bad one shouldn't really matter.

I realize it isn't an ideal scenario. But the Sox also want to keep Quentin, Konerko and AJ fresh and the best way to do that might be suffering a bit on defense once or twice a week in the outfield. It is also important to know that if a significant injury were to occur that you have a guy that could slide into the outfield and help if needed.

 

Injuries are a part of the game and to survive a 162 game season it is important to have flexibility. Clearly it would be a massive mistake to start Matsui regularly in the outfield. However, if it is done on occasions throughout the season it wouldn't be a major issue and in the playoffs you don't have to worry as much about the rest so Matsui would clearly stay at DH in those instances, but again, knowing he could play in the field still gives you the option to utilize one of your better offensive bats when you play in NL parks.

 

For example, if Crisp starts 5 or 6 days a week in left, the club would clearly be downgrading its offense, but defensively, they will have upgraded significantly (Crisp >>>> Pods and Quentin in RF should be >>> Dye). I don't know how much of an upgrade Quentin will be to Dye though to be honest since Quentin has clearly been slowed by his injury.

 

Bottom line, there is nothing wrong with occasionally putting Matsui in the field. Going into opening day with him as our everyday starter in the outfield, now that would be a bad idea. I also don't think Crisp is the perfect option, but given the resources the club has and if his shoulder his heatlhy, I would be accepting of him.

[Chisoxfn]

Kal, who would be the better left fielder. Milton Bradley or Hideki Matsui.

 

Or would me or you be a better option, haha?

[Chisoxfn]

Kenny denies that the club has talked with Matsui recently. He also said he can't say the club wouldn't be interested in him. There is clearly smoke here. The media might have jumped the gun a bit and Cowley is reporting a deal would take time, but the club is apparently going to visit him in California to check out his knee, which tells you all you need to know about the clubs interest.

[Kyyle23]

With the way Ozzie wants to rotate people out of the DH spot, I wouldn't mind promising Matsui some OF time. Also, I'm not sure if it already has been mentioned, but apparently, Ozzie wants Mark Redmond to be the backup catcher to AJ.

 

 

LOL, gotta get all the Buehrle killers on the team

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

I realize it isn't an ideal scenario. But the Sox also want to keep Quentin, Konerko and AJ fresh and the best way to do that might be suffering a bit on defense once or twice a week in the outfield. It is also important to know that if a significant injury were to occur that you have a guy that could slide into the outfield and help if needed.

 

Injuries are a part of the game and to survive a 162 game season it is important to have flexibility. Clearly it would be a massive mistake to start Matsui regularly in the outfield. However, if it is done on occasions throughout the season it wouldn't be a major issue and in the playoffs you don't have to worry as much about the rest so Matsui would clearly stay at DH in those instances, but again, knowing he could play in the field still gives you the option to utilize one of your better offensive bats when you play in NL parks.

 

For example, if Crisp starts 5 or 6 days a week in left, the club would clearly be downgrading its offense, but defensively, they will have upgraded significantly (Crisp >>>> Pods and Quentin in RF should be >>> Dye). I don't know how much of an upgrade Quentin will be to Dye though to be honest since Quentin has clearly been slowed by his injury.

 

Bottom line, there is nothing wrong with occasionally putting Matsui in the field. Going into opening day with him as our everyday starter in the outfield, now that would be a bad idea. I also don't think Crisp is the perfect option, but given the resources the club has and if his shoulder his heatlhy, I would be accepting of him.

The Sox already have Jones and Kotsay to keep everyone fresh, and there wouldn't be enough playing time to add Crisp to the picture as well.

 

Matsui in the OF would be nothing but a hindrance. The other thing is, if they add Matsui now they have 5 players for 4 spots, (Matsui, Rios, Quentin, Kotsay, Jones) and only Rios belongs in CF. How excited would people be about occasionally seeing OF setups like Matsui-Jones-Quentin? That's just freaking abysmal. We may as well just trade all our SP since we'll be asking them to keep the ball in the infield all game.

 

The Sox should draw a line in the sand with Matsui. I think he's an excellent hitter and would be a great fit here as a full-time DH, but if he wants to play LF then no way.

[chw42]

Why the hell would Matsui wait on the Yankees? They clearly don't want him back as an outfielder, that's basically what the Granderson deal said.

Edited December 9, 2009 by chw42

[Kalapse]

I realize it isn't an ideal scenario. But the Sox also want to keep Quentin, Konerko and AJ fresh and the best way to do that might be suffering a bit on defense once or twice a week in the outfield. It is also important to know that if a significant injury were to occur that you have a guy that could slide into the outfield and help if needed.

 

Injuries are a part of the game and to survive a 162 game season it is important to have flexibility. Clearly it would be a massive mistake to start Matsui regularly in the outfield. However, if it is done on occasions throughout the season it wouldn't be a major issue and in the playoffs you don't have to worry as much about the rest so Matsui would clearly stay at DH in those instances, but again, knowing he could play in the field still gives you the option to utilize one of your better offensive bats when you play in NL parks.

 

For example, if Crisp starts 5 or 6 days a week in left, the club would clearly be downgrading its offense, but defensively, they will have upgraded significantly (Crisp >>>> Pods and Quentin in RF should be >>> Dye). I don't know how much of an upgrade Quentin will be to Dye though to be honest since Quentin has clearly been slowed by his injury.

 

Bottom line, there is nothing wrong with occasionally putting Matsui in the field. Going into opening day with him as our everyday starter in the outfield, now that would be a bad idea. I also don't think Crisp is the perfect option, but given the resources the club has and if his shoulder his heatlhy, I would be accepting of him.

I think it's funny that they seem to believe keeping Teahen at 1 position for the entire season will help his offense but they plan on moving the majority of their lineup around from week to week. And the way this has been talked about it doesn't sound like Matsui will be playing once a week in the outfield both Ozzie and Matsui are making this out to be a constant rotation and good luck with that.

[chw42]

The Sox already have Jones and Kotsay to keep everyone fresh, and there wouldn't be enough playing time to add Crisp to the picture as well.

 

Matsui in the OF would be nothing but a hindrance. The other thing is, if they add Matsui now they have 5 players for 4 spots, (Matsui, Rios, Quentin, Kotsay, Jones) and only Rios belongs in CF. How excited would people be about occasionally seeing OF setups like Matsui-Jones-Quentin? That's just freaking abysmal. We may as well just trade all our SP since we'll be asking them to keep the ball in the infield all game.

 

The Sox should draw a line in the sand with Matsui. I think he's an excellent hitter and would be a great fit here as a full-time DH, but if he wants to play LF then no way.

 

You don't have to be honest with him at this point. It's not like you can put a clause in his contract saying he must play a certain position.

[Chisoxfn]

The Sox already have Jones and Kotsay to keep everyone fresh, and there wouldn't be enough playing time to add Crisp to the picture as well.

 

Matsui in the OF would be nothing but a hindrance. The other thing is, if they add Matsui now they have 5 players for 4 spots, (Matsui, Rios, Quentin, Kotsay, Jones) and only Rios belongs in CF. How excited would people be about occasionally seeing OF setups like Matsui-Jones-Quentin? That's just freaking abysmal. We may as well just trade all our SP since we'll be asking them to keep the ball in the infield all game.

 

The Sox should draw a line in the sand with Matsui. I think he's an excellent hitter and would be a great fit here as a full-time DH, but if he wants to play LF then no way.

Jones doesn't fill a major hole on the club. He isn't an every-day player until he proves otherwise. Crisp would play a lot and the club most definitely has room for him.

 

Kotsay will get at-bats, most likely at DH and in the field, but there are plenty of at-bats to go around when your DH can play 1-2 games a week in the field.

[Chisoxfn]

Why the hell would Matsui wait on the Yankees? They clearly don't want him back as an outfielder, that's basically what the Granderson deal said.

He is loyal to New York and would like to stay there. It is much different with Japanese players, more often than not, they have a loyalty to their organization that most American born ball-players don't have anymore.

 

Matsui is currently the Yankees plan B and will still be an option, but the priority in New York is to sign Damon as the DH and if that happens, Matsui's two main suitors will be the Angels and Sox.

 

I just fear if the Sox wait on Hideki the Angels will jump into the picture after failing to land one or both of Lackey/Bay and will have more to offer Hideki than the Sox (financially).

[chw42]

I feel that the Sox should act now. It seems like right now is our best chance to get him. Throw 2 years and $15 million at him, he'll probably take that. Playing the waiting game with two organizations with more money is dangerous.

Edited December 9, 2009 by chw42

[G&T]

At the Score update: KW says there is more being reported about the Sox interest in Matsui than actually exists. He won't comment on whether they are pursuing him because he doesn't know how the rest of the off season will go.

[Chisoxfn]

Kenny has said a lot regarding Milton Bradley. Although he said they weren't a fit or he didn't see him as a fit, there could be a bit more to this.

 

Clearly Bradley can play, but the Cubs would need to do much more than just take on Linebrinks contract, imo.

[Kenny Hates Prospects]

Jones doesn't fill a major hole on the club. He isn't an every-day player until he proves otherwise. Crisp would play a lot and the club most definitely has room for him.

 

Kotsay will get at-bats, most likely at DH and in the field, but there are plenty of at-bats to go around when your DH can play 1-2 games a week in the field.

Regardless of how you see Jones, we still signed the guy to play. He isn't going to be a once or twice per week kind of player and I doubt a guy who still feels he can start would have signed so cheaply unless he was told there would be playing time in his future.

 

If we signed Crisp too, I think we'd have some real playing time issues. The best kind of scenario I can draw up would be something like this:

 

LF:

Crisp - 3 days per week

Matsui - 2 days per week

Jones - 1 day per week

Kotsay - 1 day per week

 

RF:

Quentin - 5 days per week

Kotsay - 1 day per week

Jones - 1 day per week

 

CF:

Rios - 6 days per week

Crisp - 1 day per week

 

DH:

Matsui - 4 days per week

Konerko - 1 day per week

Quentin - 1 day per week

Jones - 1 day per week

 

1B:

Konerko - 5 days per week

Kotsay - 2 days per week

 

Under this kind of scheme, Quentin plays 6/7, Konerko plays 6/7, Rios plays 6/7, Matsui plays 6/7, Crisp plays 4/7, Kotsay plays 4/7, Jones plays 3/7. That all works out fine during 12-14 game stretches, but it doesn't account for off-days when everyone gets a rest, so inevitably we'd find ourselves in a spot where players like Jones and Kotsay aren't getting more than a day or two max, and I really don't think those players will be happy with that. And the above scenario also considers Crisp as a part-time player more or less, and I think he's going to look for a starting job.

 

On top of all that, we've got basically 3 outfielders in Jones, Kotsay, and Crisp taking up 1 spot. Adding a backup catcher, that means that if we want a 12-man pitching staff, we can't add anyone else to the roster. So now Vizquel is our only backup IF and that means that he should be expected to also play 3 days per week backing up Beckham, Alexei, and Teahen. The reason that is dangerous is because if there's ever any kind of emergency we'll have to take someone off the roster and call up another IF, even if the player who is hurt doesn't hit the DL. Otherwise we'd have to put corner OF'ers in skill positions.

 

This simply won't work unless we go with 11 pitchers, which the Sox don't seem to be planning on doing. Even then, there's playing time issues.

Edited December 9, 2009 by Kenny Hates Prospects

[Chisoxfn]

Jones has a 500K contract. That is as small of a contract as it gets for a veteran. While he could earn more playing time, the team clearly has needs at the top of the order and DH and Crisp and Matsui are both significant upgrades.

 

If Jones isn't happy the club can always cut him later. He came to the Sox to try to earn at bats and Ozzie will clearly let him try to.

[HuskyCaucasian]

Jon Heyman-

told #whitesox not going for hideki #matsui, despite internet whispers. theyre looking for leadoff: podsednik, pierre, crisp?

[longshot7]

Cowley:

 

KW said he doesn't have medical reports on Matsui's knee, but he didn't need them. Claimed he knew everything about the OF including, "what he had for breakfast today.''