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Oakland, Matsui finalize US$4.2m deal
Source: Agencies |
December 16, 2010, Thursday
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HIDEKI Matsui finalized a US$4.25 million, one-year contract with Oakland on Tuesday after he passed a physical.
The sides had agreed to terms during the weekend. The slugger can earn an additional US$100,000 in performance bonuses.
Matsui felt truly wanted and needed by the A's, and that meant a lot to him in the free agency process. He also acknowledged there isn't a big market for designated hitters.
"The only thing that I think was the most important factor was they really wanted me to be here, they really pursued me," Matsui said.
Oakland formally introduced Matsui on Tuesday afternoon in a news conference attended by more than 100 media members - mostly Japanese reporters - and featuring 17 television cameras. "Holy cow!" Oakland general manager Billy Beane said upon entering the room to face a capacity crowd. "Wow, if I'd known it was going to be like this I would have signed you a long time ago, Hideki."
Also in attendance was Hiroshi Inomata, Japan's consul general in San Francisco. Beane presented him with a white No. 55 Matsui jersey. One fan hung a Japanese flag outside the Coliseum near where the players exit.
Attract fans
The A's have to hope Matsui will attract more fans after years of poor attendance, despite a run to the AL championship series in 2006.
He provides a reliable bat in the heart of the order that Beane had been seeking this offseason.
"We have a regular, professional middle-of-the-lineup hitter we desperately needed," manager Bob Geren said. "He has a combination of power and hits for average and on-base percentage. He can also be a situational hitter. We haven't had anybody with his pedigree and experience. He's going to fit in real well. He's a cult figure and rock star in Japan."
The 36-year-old Matsui batted .274 with 21 home runs and 84 RBIs last season with the Los Angeles Angels, the Athletics' AL West rival. He spent his first seven major league seasons with the New York Yankees and was MVP of the 2009 World Series.
Beane has had interest in Matsui for several years, dating to the slugger's days in pinstripes.
"He's one of the better known hitters in our league and certainly even known more in Japan for his exploits there as one of the greatest hitters in the history of Japanese baseball."
The sides had agreed to terms during the weekend. The slugger can earn an additional US$100,000 in performance bonuses.
Matsui felt truly wanted and needed by the A's, and that meant a lot to him in the free agency process. He also acknowledged there isn't a big market for designated hitters.
"The only thing that I think was the most important factor was they really wanted me to be here, they really pursued me," Matsui said.
Oakland formally introduced Matsui on Tuesday afternoon in a news conference attended by more than 100 media members - mostly Japanese reporters - and featuring 17 television cameras. "Holy cow!" Oakland general manager Billy Beane said upon entering the room to face a capacity crowd. "Wow, if I'd known it was going to be like this I would have signed you a long time ago, Hideki."
Also in attendance was Hiroshi Inomata, Japan's consul general in San Francisco. Beane presented him with a white No. 55 Matsui jersey. One fan hung a Japanese flag outside the Coliseum near where the players exit.
Attract fans
The A's have to hope Matsui will attract more fans after years of poor attendance, despite a run to the AL championship series in 2006.
He provides a reliable bat in the heart of the order that Beane had been seeking this offseason.
"We have a regular, professional middle-of-the-lineup hitter we desperately needed," manager Bob Geren said. "He has a combination of power and hits for average and on-base percentage. He can also be a situational hitter. We haven't had anybody with his pedigree and experience. He's going to fit in real well. He's a cult figure and rock star in Japan."
The 36-year-old Matsui batted .274 with 21 home runs and 84 RBIs last season with the Los Angeles Angels, the Athletics' AL West rival. He spent his first seven major league seasons with the New York Yankees and was MVP of the 2009 World Series.
Beane has had interest in Matsui for several years, dating to the slugger's days in pinstripes.
"He's one of the better known hitters in our league and certainly even known more in Japan for his exploits there as one of the greatest hitters in the history of Japanese baseball."
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