What to do with Matsui in Philly
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Oct 30, 2009 
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Joe Girardi is hesitant to announce decisions before he has to, and he’s slow to rule out options until they’re obviously off the table. It might drive us writers crazy, but for a man in his position, it makes good sense. Today, he committed to one decision while leaving another option open.
Asked if Johnny Damon would be the starting left fielder tomorrow, Girardi said, “Yes.”
Asked if it was out of the question that Hideki Matsui might play the field, he didn’t exactly say one way or the other. “I’m going to look at somet thing today, watch a little bit, see how he moves around and see if we think that it’s physically possible for him to do it,” Girardi said.
Thing is, if Damon’s starting in left field, Matsui will clearly be the top pinch hitter off the bench. Girardi said “you don’t want to lose (Matsui’s) bat,” but pinch hitting Matsui and leaving him in the lineup to play left, takes Damon’s bat out of the lineup, which the Yankees don’t want to do either.
My personal opinion: I don’t see it happening. Putting Matsui in the field would be a very late, must-do scenario, and by that time it’s likely that Matsui will have already had his pinch hitting opportunity. Like Girardi, I wouldn’t rule it out, but it seems unlikely.
“At times, DHs have went to the field and a lot of times DHs were previously position players that you could put out at a position,” Girardi said. “You know, our club is not necessarily built to come to this ballpark, but our club is able to handle it.”
shame to lose matsui for 3 games. well atleast the bench will be stacked.
It sounds to me that now Girardi is regretting his not playing Matsui in the OF at all in the regular season…because you can tell he really wants to play him in RF but he has no idea if Matsui can do it.
Goes to show…the yankees need a RF that can hit good pitching…which nick swisher can not do.
I think Matsui will pinch hit in game 3 with Hamels on the mound.
I find it interesting to ponder what they will do in game 4 however, with Blanton pitching.
My ideal OF for that game would be Matsui in left, Damon in center, and Cabrera in right.
Before you jump down my throat hear me out. Matsui can’t play center and I don’t believe he’s ever played right (at least not for the Yankees).
My first thought was put Damon in right, but he’s never played there either. Cabrera, however, has played RF when Gardner plays center. Damon played center for over 10 years.
I know Damon is not our best OF and putting him in CF weakens the defense. But to me that’s better than sticking him in RF where he’s never played and where his arm can be exploited more than if he was in CF.
The point would be moot if Swisher wasn’t stinking up the joint and if Matsui wasn’t so dangerous. But the fact remains Godzilla’s bat makes a lot of noise, and I think its worth it to roll the dice and start him in the field one game. That game would be game 4 vs. Blanton.
Girardi’s original plan was to use Matsui in the OF after June, thinking this would let his knees get more rest. However, as Matsui needed to have his knees drained a couple of times even without playing the field, Girardi changed his mind. The concern was that any exertion might worsen his physical situation, losing his bat for a prolonged period of time. Matsui may also have received cortisone shots, I’m not sure.
has matsui ever played right in the majors? i feel like he has, but i could count the amount of games on one hand. does anyone know?
When I read the title for this entry “What To Do With Matsui In Philly”, I had to admit for a second, I was expecting a list that would include the Liberty Bell, a museum, Iron Chef Morimoto’s restaurant, etc.
Matsui has played right field
of would be Damon LF Melky CF Matsui RF
My friend is being Godzilla for Halloween and I am being T Rex. RRAAAAAAWWWWRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!
22 hours and 6 minutes until Game 3!!!!!!!
assuming matsui gets the second pinch hit at bat of the game (the first would come in the 6th or 7th, his would come in the 8th or 9th), i could see him going into LF in a double switch- especially if he has favorable matchups (which girardi is a big fan of). i think at some point, it’s worth sacrificing the defense in favor of his bat against lefties. None of the phillies hitters except rollins and werth tend to hit balls down there anyway
Matsui has played 7 games in right field (starting 6). He also has 77 games in center field (76 started). Most of those games game in his first 3 years in NY and 3 games in right field in 2008. He was a career center fielder while playing in Japan, unto playing on those concrete field destroyed his knees.
Why would you put Matsui in RF?
You want to hide Godzilla as best you can and LF is that place. A RF needs to cover a lot more ground and needs a stronger arm, thus Melky.
I’m not saying its going to happen but if Swisher starts game 3 and still looks lost at the plate then you have to consider it.
Matsui’s bat is forcing Girardi’s hand here. Well, his bat and Swisher’s complete collapse.
***until*** playing on those concrete field destroyed his knees
the Yankees were 8-5 this year without Matsui in national league parks this year. They shouldn’t miss him.
Erica your dedication to the game countdowns is admirable. Your passion for Yankees baseball speaks for itself!
Thank you Miggs-
The countdowns started out of excitement and then continued out of superstition
Why stop what works?
2 things:
Fire Bad!
Go Yankees!
Yeah BFARBS and GreenBeret7,
I have Matsui at 7 total appearances in RF. 4 x in 2005. 3 x in 2008. If I’m reading the chart correctly, he has a total of 8 put outs and 0 errors, while playing RF. Doesn’t really tell us much. I’m willing to bet that he would not be all that great in RF. I’m sure he can catch the ball. But you add in the running and the throwing …, might be a little tough for him.
Oh, I thought this was a real question. Like what to do with matsui in Philly. The first thing that popped into my mind was, “Is there a porno hall of fame?”
The Ghost October 30th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
the Yankees were 8-5 this year without Matsui in national league parks this year. They shouldn’t miss him.
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ummm…no. they were 6-3. And that was against the Braves, Mets, and Fish.
Hey GB7,
How are you? Starting to get cold up here in Maine so I decided to ship my old dog Yaz down there to spend the winter with you. He should be arriving in two days.
I think you two will get along great.
This is shaping up to be an interesting Series. I remember last winter you were one of the fans on here arguing that the Yankees really needed to sign Pettite for the coming year.
You turned out right. I see your Yankees winning the Series in six or maybe go the whole seven games.
miggs,
you are thinking out of the box regarding Damon and Matsui, but I seriously doubt that scenario plays out.
matsui did not play one single inning in the OF this year, I can’t see him getting his first one in the WS.
Damon has zero arm, but more importantly not any kind of range for a CF anymore, I do not trust him to get to anything not hit right at him. I don’t recall him playing any CF this year, might be wrong on that though.
My bet is Girardi will stay with Hairston in RF vs. Swisher. Hamels best pitch is his Change up and Swisher sucks at hitting anything off speed even when he is going ok, when he is going as bad as he has been, Swisher would be dead meat against Hamels.
My prediction is Matsui will be the main PH and only play the field in an emergency situation. He just cannot move.
Why would Hideki play in the outfield when we have Gardner, Hinske, and Hairston to play out there.
Everyone needs to stop running scenarios through their computers. It aint happening.
Damon should go to RF. He’s experienced enough to handle it. Matsui in left.
Matsui doesn’t belong in the outfield just yet. In fact if he hadn’t of hit that HR nobody would be talking about this.
I’d start Hairston in RF and pinch hit Matsui when the time is right.
If we lose game 3 then I’d consider starting him against Blanton in game 4. If we win game 3 I’d probably start Swisher one more time in RF. Game 5 against Lee Im probably going back to Hairston.
m, Girardi when asked the question has not ruled it out. But I would be extremely surprised if does that. In fact, shocked.
The Ghost are you serious, what a dumbass.
Eric Young said he’d stick with Hairston in this game. He said we need to play small ball in the NL park and Hairston can put down a bunt, steal, whatever. (whatever that means).
On the one hand that makes sense and he is a righty.
But Swishy’s a switchy and that might help to have him in there once they get into the bullpen. And he can hit for power in that tiny little park. Hairston off the bench might be the better move because he’s more flexible.
Q: Why did Ray name his dog Yaz?
A: Because Yastrzemski wouldn’t fit on the dog collar.
My opinion, widely discredited so far, is that you could hide Matsui in RF beside Gardner and behind Cano and Teix, all above average range and ability fielders. He would defend what ever territory he was assigned with honor and gusto. You have a lefty pitching in Game 3, so hiding him in RF might work. Swish and Melky sit. Thank you for your time.
Josh
October 30th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Damon should go to RF. He’s experienced enough to handle it. Matsui in left.
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Damon’s got no arm for right field. The Phillies will go 1st to 3rd on him all night.
“Thing is, if Damon’s starting in left field, Matsui will clearly be the top pinch hitter off the bench. Girardi said “you don’t want to lose (Matsui’s) bat,” but pinch hitting Matsui and leaving him in the lineup to play left, takes Damon’s bat out of the lineup, which the Yankees don’t want to do either.”
Why would you pinch hit for Damon? Wouldn’t it be the right fielder?
If the matchup was good and the situation called for it in the later innings (assuming we hadn’t eaten up the bench yet), I’d pinch hit for the RF, and if he gets on pinch run with Gardner, and off to the races. The next defensive inning: Damon, Gardner, and Cabrera.
Who are these people? I don’t even know them:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....id=4605969
Matsui will not see the field. We will see him pinch hit once per game, hopefully he will make the most of his opportunities. I do like a bench of Matsui, Hinske, Hairston and Gardner.
On the pitching front, I think there is a real possibility that no starter on Philly other than Cliff Lee could beat the Yankees. So if CC wins game 4 and Lee wins game 5, then game 3 is critical, winner goes back to NY with a 3-2 lead in the series and a chance to close it out.
ray (sox fan)
October 30th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Hey GB7,
How are you? Starting to get cold up here in Maine so I decided to ship my old dog Yaz down there to spend the winter with you. He should be arriving in two days.
I think you two will get along great.
This is shaping up to be an interesting Series. I remember last winter you were one of the fans on here arguing that the Yankees really needed to sign Pettite for the coming year.
You turned out right. I see your Yankees winning the Series in six or maybe go the whole seven games.
————————————————————
Evening, Ray. Great to see you on here, again. Hope you and the (sox fan) family are doing well. If I were you, I’d be staying off the computer for the next few days, and get out there choppong wood for the fire place.
If you ever want to see “Yaz” alive again, don’t send him down here. People don’t like sissy dogs here. Not only that, but, my dog “Bucky Dent” (I call him ” Killer” for short) will rip his heart out.
I hate losing Matsui’s bat but he just can’t play the outfield anymore.. Cano has to step it up with Matsui sitting
“Why would Hideki play in the outfield when we have Gardner, Hinske, and Hairston to play out there.
Everyone needs to stop running scenarios through their computers. It aint happening.”
Oh come on Mel. How can you compare Matsui (arguably our best clutch hitter) to bench players like Gardner, Hinske, and Hairston?
Its not a crazy scenario. Girardi didn’t play Matsui in the OF during interleague play because it was JUNE. Why risk Matsui’s long term health for a few games in June?
Its the World Series. At most there are 5 games left. I hate to be cold-hearted but Matsui’s contract is up this year and he isn’t getting re-signed. Girardi only has to keep him healthy for 5 more games. Its a completely different situation and clearly worthy of debate.
Its not about his health, its about him not being able to get to anything out there unless its hit right at him and in case you didn’t notice Philly has a ton of left hand hitters and they hit a ton of balls to RF.
Wouldn’t the person Matsui pinch hits for most likely be the pitcher?
(and Matsui probably wouldn’t be staying in the game to pitch)
I’m sure all of you recall the comment that either Mr. Girardi or Mr. Cashman made last week about how they don’t have to keep Matsui healthy for the next two months, just the next two weeks (paraphrasing).
Perhaps that notion is germain to this discussion.
miggs,
Because we’re talking about playing defense not about the quality of their bats. Philly won’t have their big bopper either, that’s the deal in a NL park.
You folks can debate, and obviously it’s not out of the realm of possibility, but imo putting Hideki in the outfield for any meaningful amount of time is much more egregious than playing taking Posada’s bat out of the lineup.
I’ll concede that Hideki might see an inning or two, but I would think that the situation would be pretty dire at that point to put in a a player who lacks the tools and hasn’t played in the field in at least a year out there.
Have you seen Matsui run? He can hardly run to 1st base. No way can he run down balls in the OF.
Love his bat but I think he will be limited to pinch hitting.
Nick in SF in Larkspur
October 30th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
I’m sure all of you recall the comment that either Mr. Girardi or Mr. Cashman made last week about how they don’t have to keep Matsui healthy for the next two months, just the next two weeks (paraphrasing).
Perhaps that notion is germain to this discussion.
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The damned Germans ain’t got nothin’ to do with this discussion.
Nick,
You’re right. And in that case I still don’t see him using Hideki as a defensive replacement.
m, have you written to Chad to have the topic taken down?
I’m not sure what keeping him healthy has to do with anything. They aren’t worried about that, he just can’t run anymore and isnt able to play the field. He barely can run well enough to hit
And I would start Matsui in game 4 and replace him in the 7th or 8th inning for defense.
I certainly wouldn’t pinch hit him then stick him in the field late in the game.
The Yankees don’t have a great defensive outfield as it’s currently set up. You can’t weaken it by putting Damon in right and Matsui in left. Damon has no arm, and Matsui is unable to play the field. I mean, seriously, have you seen Matsui running the bases? What makes anyone think he should play LF.
Aside from that, the last thing that I would want to see in a World Series game is experimentation (2006 postseason, anyone?). You play the guys in the positions they are accustomed to playing. I remember an interview with Paul O’Neill when he talked about how different playing RF and LF are from each other. The ball tails differently off the bat. Now put a guy in a position they are unaccustomed to in a ballpark they have never played in. No thank you.
Put Swisher in right, put Hairston in right, put Melky in right, but please don’t put Damon in right.
it is tempting to stick matsui in rightfield….but will his “defense” hurt the yanks??I might try it for one game maybe when andy pitches since he is a groundbal pitcher…
WHO ON EARTH WANTS J DAMON IN RIGHTFIELD!!!! My sister has a better arm then he does…
He can run well enough to be hidden in LF for 7 innings or so depending upon how the game goes.
Damon in center is barely tolerable and should only be done if absolutely necessary. It sounds cold hearted, but I’m not worried about the health of Matsui’s knees. He is no longer a viable fielder.
you can’t hide anybody. The ball will find them guaranteed. You can’t put Matsui in left because then you have to put Damon in right and then the Phillies would put their track shoes on and probably try and score from first on singles…
Wrong Blake.
You put Damon in CF and Melky in RF.
Damon is barely qualified to play LF much less CF or RF and Matsui isn’t qualified to even own a glove anymore. Can we stop this nonsense about putting Damon anywhere but LF
Before the season started, I predicted a scenario in which you would occasionally get Matsui in left, Damon in center, and Nady/Swisher in right, with the other at DH — when Wang pitched.
So wrong on so many levels.
Oh yes,
Miggs, are you serious about putting Damon in CF? Matusi, Damon, and Melky is a recipe for lots of extra base hits
Blake, I agree. I hope Girardi isn’t serious. Yes, it stinks to lose Matsui’s bat. But he is a weapon off the bench and IIRC he did a good job as PH during the season.
Any news on if they are leaning Hairston, Swisher, or Gardner?
I refuse to believe that a Northwestern grad said “have went”. If he did, the least you could have done is edit it to protect the school’s reputation.
Why not continue with Damon Melky and Hairston? Hamels is a left handed fast ball pitcher. Damon can barely play left field. CF and RF is out of the question. In well pitched close games you need Joe Hardy playing OF, not Joe Boyd. I would even go Gardiner, Melky and Hairston. Excellent speed, adequate bunters and good defense.
I am a little envious of the Philly outfield. Unless A rod is able to recover is stroke our pitchers have a tougher job facing their lineup compared to our lineup plus the pitcher
We also have Hinski on the roster. Not a good outfielder but more pop that the others. Philly probably hasn’t scouted his tendencies much either.
The only way you even consider him in the field is if you think he will have an A-Rod type of Division/LCS, and it’s still only a consideration.
As good as the hitting has been all year, it’s the pitching and overall defense that has kept this club winning.
They are not the flashiest or greatest defensive team, but they don’t beat themselves and rarely makes mistakes.
Matsui lumbering around in the OF is probably going to cost you more runs than he will drive in anyways.
If we can’t pound Hamels and Blanton without him, then we should be worrying about the rest of hitters in the lineup not producing.
Stick Swisher in RF, hopefully the few days let him clear hid head and let’s him start fresh. Guys usully will get their hits eventually, so maybe this series it will be it.
If we end up not using Matsui for 3 games, it’s because our pitching would have done so well, I’ll take it.
Girardi has played and managed in the NL and knows the various scenarios to use such as double switches etc.
It is tempting to put Matsui in RF for at least one of these games in Philly. However, I think we give up too much in defense if we do that. Damon can only play LF and he is average at best in LF. No way he can play CF. For tonight’s game Damon in LF, Gardner in CF and Melky in RF. I know that we would be putting Gardner up against a lefty, but I think we need to go with a small ball approach since we are not doing much on offense. Gardy gives us an opportunity to leg out hits and I think he can hit a lefty who throws a steady diet of off-speed stuff. I would ignore the lefty-lefy match up and go for the defensive upgrade and the speed that Gardy brings to the line up.
I would not start Hairston because we lose our spare infielder and I think that is a mistake. Hinske, Swisher, and Matsui along with Hairston are used as pinch hitters later in the game. Hairston and Swisher are used as defensive substitutes if you take Gardner out or do double switches late in the game.