There’s a good chance that Hideki Matsui will re-sign with the A’s in 2012, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. There was already a strong possibility that Matsui would return and today’s news that the A’s and Mariners will open next year’s schedule in Tokyo only boosts the chances that he’ll spend another year with his current team.
Though the Athletics’ uncertain stadium situation could impact all free agent decisions, including ones related to Matsui, he’s more likely to return than any of Oakland’s other free agents. One A’s official told Slusser that Matsui is the one free agent the team would “seriously consider for a number of reasons.”
Team president Mike Crowley told Slusser that MLB would be “very happy” if the A's had Matsui on their roster to open the season against Ichiro Suzuki’s Mariners. That’s far from the driving force behind the team’s interest, though. Matsui, who definitely intends to play in 2012, will be available on a one-year deal and would probably not cost much more than $2MM, according to Slusser. He got along well with manager Bob Melvin and the A’s consider him a positive role model for young players. Plus, Matsui’s presence on the roster generates revenue in the form of sponsorships and merchandise sales.
Matsui, 37, has a .252/.322/.377 line with 12 homers in 581 plate appearances this season and does not project as a ranked free agent. He has recovered from a slow start to produce better results in the second half (.758 OPS since July 1st).
everybody lost the jack cust/hideki matsui argument. no survivors
Playing one game in Japan is a terrible reason to sign or re-sign a player. The A’s should say “arigato” and “sayonara”…
I’m sure he also sells plenty of Oakland A’s jerseys in Japan throughout the entire season.
Merchandising is still not a reason to re-sign him. Especially when Willingham can fill the same role.
What r u guys talkin about? Matsui is a great re-sign he can DH or play the field and can be a bench player/backup with power
Wolfe is doing it for the $$ he comes cheap and sells tickets and merch… screw you wolfe, you suck.
Also, the players REALLY love access to his extensive porn library.
Why, why, why -the A’s have a slew of young players that could rotate through the DH/1B/LF spots in 2012 – give them the ABs!
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ that is why. wolfe doesn’t care about winning.
here is the lineup the A’s should have next season, and this is only including willingham even though they probably won’t sign him, even though he offered to get a deal done cheaper right now. And probably won’t pay Crisp either.
1. weeks 2b
2. Crisp CF/or Grant Green
3. Willingham DH
4. Carter LF
5. Taylor RF
6. Allen/Ka’i whatever/Barton 1B
7. Sizemore 3B (even though i’d rather an upgrade, but lets be serious, there won’t be one)
8. pennington SS
9. Suzuki (hurry stassi) C
i’m really hoping choice makes the team out of spring training and we can have him in CF because the guy straight rakes.
let the young guys sink or swim… nobody is going to complain if you let them play.
The A’s need to be more concerned with finding a CF than signing a strict-DH. There’s so many ready-now in-house options its crazy. Barton’s poor performance this year stemmed exclusively from having a very damaged shoulder, that he had surgery on. There’s no point to make that he won’t be a regular moving forward.
1B: Barton
2B: Weeks
SS: Pennington
3B: Sizemore
C: Suzuki
LF: Allen
CF: ?
RF: Taylor
DH: Carter
I feel Choice is the best option in CF, but I doubt he’ll make the club after spending the season in AA… he RAKED though. Maybe they could sign Crisp to a 1 year deal. I’d say put sweeney there but his knees seem to be a problem.
I’m not sure how i feel about allen, he looked like his normal .220 self after his first 2 weeks of having a hot bat
Michael Choice spent the year at A+ this year. He’ll be at AA next year with the goal of moving quickly to AAA and maybe a Sept callup. Youre right about him having an unbelievable year, he’s the #1 most exciting prospect the A’s have, along with Sonny Gray.
Its very important that the A’s let Willingham walk as a type-A and get a draft pick if they are looking to rebuild, not falsely contend. To be honest the A’s simply do not have room for any players under the age of 32 unless its a bench/UTL type.
Matsui & Willingham need to not be on the roster next year and Fuentes, Balfour & Wuertz all need to be on the trading block. The only position the A’s don’t have a ready-now player is CF, so resign either Crisp or DeJesus, or try and sign Cody Ross. Or do what Beane does best and make a trade. Denard Span would be my #1 target if I were Beane. Or perhaps a reclamation/placeholder/1-year guy for Grant Green, other available targets include Carlos Gomez, Aaron Rowand, Rick Ankiel or Marlon Byrd.
I just wish a stadium deal would get done already. in 2 years we could realistically see:
1B carter
2b Weeks
ss pennington
3b
of taylor
of green
of choice
put cardenas and stassi in there… i’d like to hope they’ll at least have a stadium being built by the time these guys are all together.
gio, cahill, anderson, 2 years wiser….
only hurdle….. lew wolfe
he’ll just resign because of the mariners-A’s in japan