"Hideki Matsui brings international stardom to the A's, along with nearly 500 home runs, counting his days in Japan and in the major leagues. He was the MVP of a World Series, and he provides a real presence, a face, for a young and promising team.

Plus, after signing a one-year deal worth $4.25 million with Oakland on Tuesday, he's no longer with a division rival.

"To have Godzilla by the bay instead of Anaheim - that's big for us," A's starter Dallas Braden said. "It's awesome. This guy brings a totally different ingredient."

During a news conference at the Coliseum, A's general manager Billy Beane said that the team had wanted to go after Matsui when he left the Yankees after the 2009 season, but the Angels moved too quickly. "We jumped on board pretty quick this year," Beane said.

Matsui, who followed the Oakland teams of the late '80s in Japan, said he appreciated the fact that the A's pursued him so strongly. He likes the team's promise, saying he believes the A's have "a strong chance to go to the postseason."

"Hopefully, I can lead by example and really help propel them to the next level," Matsui said through his longtime translator, Roger Kahlon."