Even though Hideki Matsui is a cash cow for the Yankees thanks to lucrative marketing deals that followed him from Japan, club beancounters aren’t going to get in the way of the baseball operations office and demand Matsui not be traded to keep the deep revenue streams flowing.
“He makes a lot of money for (the Yankees), but it will strictly be a baseball decision,” said a person familiar with the Yankees’ thinking.
A baseball official said there “wasn’t anything imminent” last night in regards to the Yankees dealing Matsui to the Giants for pitching.
Monday, there were solid indications Matsui would waive his no-trade clause if the Yankees asked. Agent Arn Tellem said the Yankees didn’t ask Matsui to waive the clause.
Though the Yankees likely can’t pry Tim Lincecum or Matt Cain from the Giants and aren’t wild about Noah Lowry, they have interest in lefty Jonathan Sanchez, who appeared in 33 games last year and made four starts. He was shelved from July 4-20 with a rib cage problem. However, it’s likely the Yankees would want more back in order to give up Matsui’s steady bat.
The Giants called the Yankees to inquire about Matsui during last week’s Winter Meetings. With Barry Bonds out of the picture, the Giants need a left fielder. However, Matsui is 33, coming off knee surgery and is owed $26 million across the next two seasons. Matsui has the right to ask for an extension if he agrees to waive the no-trade clause.
Matsui is expendable because Johnny Damon can play left field and Jason Giambi is targeted as the every-day DH.
Damon was viewed as Melky Cabrera’s replacement in center if Cabrera was dealt for Johan Santana, but the Yankees have an interest in free agent center fielder Corey Patterson, and he could replace Cabrera if the Yankees rekindle the Santana deal.
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The Yankees have to tender contracts to players by midnight tonight or they are free agents. Carl Pavano is likely to be non-tendered and re-signed on a minor-league deal. Reliever Brian Bruney, who was left off the playoff roster, is a candidate to be let go.
Mariano Rivera’s representatives have signed off on the details of his three-year, $45 million deal and are waiting for the Yankees to do the same.