Comments on: Who would you rather: Matsui or Damon

By: BJ Mason

BJ Mason — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:37:04 +0000

Matsui will be back. Why?

1) The money he brings in more than pays for his salary.
2) He is single-handedly helping the Yankees build an international brand — something that will deliver benefits long after Matsui retires
3) He will conceivably earn less over the next year or two — not able to be a regular outfielder reduces his value relative to his last contract when he was considered a full-time outfielder, and finally,
4) He can still hit as well as any of the headline free agents — and even if Halliday is better, he’s not that much better to make up for all the others reasons above.

Swapping Matsui for Holliday will cost the Yankees ALOT — $15-20 million in revenue, another $5 million in higher salary, and cost htem the long term value Matsui builds for the Yankee business internationally. No, Holliday isn’t worth it, relative to Matsui’s value to the team. Now, Holliday instead of Damon or even Melky? That might be a different story.

By: Sean Bose

Sean Bose — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:30:38 +0000

Matsui is the Big Game hitter. Most hitters can hit the minnows but get shut down by the good pitchers and good teams. Damon, Swisher fall in that category. Its hitters like Matsui who does an exceptional job in the post season to carry a team to the championship. He hits the clutch and home runs against Red Sox and other premiere teams in the league. Damon was just a bit productive in the last year of the contract and he is not worth the big money. Yankees will make a terrible mistake if they choose Damon over Matsui.

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:25:38 +0000

It is more important to have a corner outfielder that can throw as opposed to a great fielder. Most balls to the outfield are routine.

All of this is false.

By: Usty

Usty — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:32:21 +0000

Holy crap…they still make you people after this October/November?

By: mick

mick — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:48:49 +0000

Damon has been damaged goods since they got him. He can not throw at all. It is more important to have a corner outfielder that can throw as opposed to a great fielder. Most balls to the outfield are routine. A great centerfielder is the exception. A great centerfielder makes a good outfield.
Matsui has been as good a clutch hitter as the Yankees have had since they got him.
Losing Matsui would really hurt the team. Damon must be allowed to go.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:40:30 +0000

tHe EightTHhH!!1!

By: Assessing Matsui’s and a DH’s values | River Avenue Blues

Assessing Matsui’s and a DH’s values | River Avenue Blues — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:31:22 +0000

[...] we explored this question in a different light and examined whether or not we would bring back Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui if we, as the Yankees seem to be doing, had to pick just one. With a heavy heart, I opted for [...]

By: DonnieBaseballHallofFame

DonnieBaseballHallofFame — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:24:41 +0000

I agree. I think the Yankees, and MLB like the attention it generates for their businesses but outside a couple of billboards I do not see the direct $ tie for the Yankees.

Now MLB and all the teams busting up merch and TV rights I bet see more money because of this, but to quantify the direct benefit to the Yankees is hard to do.

I do like the fact that future great Japanese players are growing up watching Matsui win the WS with / for the New York Yankees. I would like to think that this has some effect, even though I know that is pretty far fetched.

With the roster inflexibility this team already has and will get more of we can not afford any more roster spots for marketing reasons. With that said either or Damon / Matsui or both on one year deals would be great.

By: Benjamin Kabak

Benjamin Kabak — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:20:18 +0000

It’s a well known opinion never backed up with a rigorous statistical analysis.

By: DonnieBaseballHallofFame

DonnieBaseballHallofFame — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:19:17 +0000

Damon is enough of a professional hitter to do the job as DH. It also may help him with his recurring leg problems. I think it is a moot point though as he will get a multi year offer and Matsui most likely will not.