Hideki Matsui turned in one of the best seasons of his career last year, smashing 28 homers and posting a .274/.367/.509 batting line in 142 regular season games. His performance in the World Series was the stuff of Yankees lore - eight hits in 13 at-bats, three homeruns and eight RBI, powering the team to victory and rightfully taking home the World Series MVP. Despite the remarkable season he was allowed to leave via free agency and soon signed a one-year $6.5 million dollar contract with the Los Angeles Angels. As I've expressed before, it was sad to see him go. He was a proud man who always acted professionally, even at 36 years old, and on two bum knees, he still believes he can play the outfield. He knew exactly what a privilege it was to be a professional ball player and what it meant to be playing for the Yankees. I wish him the best of luck as he continues his storybook career.
There's a vacancy at DH, so call on a replacement. Another former Yankee rejoins the ranks - you may remember him as a promising prospect who was dealt to the Montreal Expos in 2003.
Nick Johnson - Signed to a one-year $5.5 million deal (with a $5.5 million mutual option for 2011) to be the teams full-time DH. Can still play a great first base and will probably spell Mark Teixeira on rare occasions. Last season he played 133 games and posted a .291 batting average with 99 walks and 84 strikeouts. He did only hit eight homers, but he has the ability to hit upwards of 20, especially as a lefty in Yankee Stadium. His most valuable assets are great plate discipline and on-base skills - he sports an impressive .402 OBP for his career. He'll take whatever a pitcher is giving him and could hit the ball to all fields. Johnson is one of those rare left-handed batters that has hit lefties (.292) far better than righties (.266) over his career. I'm guessing he's going to take Johnny Damon's spot in the lineup and operate out of the two hole where his ability to get on base will play wonderfully in front of Alex Rodriguez and Teixeira. Johnson has been itching to play for a contender since he was first dealt from the Yankees, so he's sure to be motivated. Why was a player of his skill level signed for so cheap you may ask? Well, because of his extensive injury history which River Avenue Blues does a great job of chronicling. The Yankees are hoping that being a full-time DH will alleviate the injury concerns and that makes perfect sense. His injuries have been more of the fluke variety and he doesn't have any persistent issues, like Matsui's knees. If he stays healthy it will surely prove to be a great signing, if not, there was little risk involved.
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