Hideki Matsui takes some fantasy value from New York to Los Angeles Angels
Submitted by Imaginary Diamond Blog
Former New York Yankees designated hitter Hideki Matsui signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels this week, according to the LA Daily News
. Matsui comes off a resurgent season, in which he hit .274 with 28 home runs and 90 RBIs, and ventures away from New York for the first time in his Major League career.
Matsui figures to take on the same role in Los Angeles as he did in New York. The 35-year-old got 437 of his 456 at-bats last season as the Yankees’ designated hitter, and he led all DHs with 27 homers, according to MLB.com. The Angels are deep in the outfield and should call on Matsui to man left field only on the rarest of occasions.
After putting Matsui’s productive 2009 season into context, our basic assumption was, Yankee Stadium played a big part in his improved production levels. Wrong. Godzilla hit .286 with 15 HRs and 41 RBIs in 203 at-bats on the road, compared to a .265 average, 13 HRs and 49 RBIs in 253 at-bats at home. The short porch in right field actually worked against him, which was the exception to the rule amongst Yankee hitters.
And while we were looking at splits, we liked the fact that the lefty-hitting Matsui mashed left-handed pitching and finished the year stronger than he started. He had a .976 OPS against lefties and saved his best work for last, hitting 13 homers and driving in 43 runs in the final two months of the season.
All the signs point to, assuming good health, another good season for Matsui. The Angels’ lineup lost a little potency with speedy third baseman Chone Figgins moving on to Seattle, but there should still be plenty of production opportunities. Matsui will likely settle into a role as the team’s No. 5 or No. 6 hitter and be within shouting distance of last season’s numbers.
Assume 20+ home runs and 90 RBIs, which would make Matsui a bargain in the 29th round - his current average draft position on MockDraftCentral.com.
