Hideki Matsui News & Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Oakland A's ponder whether they will re-sign D.H. Hideki Matsui

September 27

Oakland Tribune

"Hideki Matsui says he isn't thinking ahead to next season, which seems like a wise decision. Based on his 2011 campaign, who can tell what's in store for the A's designated hitter? He swung a frigid bat over the first half, hitting .209 and contributing to a team-wide offensive funk that buried the A's in the American League West race. Then he went on a tear after the All-Star break, hitting .432 over a four-week span, but he's wobbling to the finish line. Matsui is hitting .251 with 12 homers and 72 RBIs overall after Monday's 4-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners, a far cry from the .274/21/84 line he delivered with the Angels in 2010 and not nearly the production the A's expected from a"

A's Hideki Matsui back to being 'Godzilla'

August 9

San Francisco Chronicle

"A month ago, designated hitter Hideki Matsui seemed as if he might be playing his final season in the big leagues. At the All-Star break, he was batting .209. Since then, Matsui, 38, has been on an extraordinary roll, going 37-for-82 (.451) in 21 games. He's riding a season-high 15-game hitting streak that includes 13 RBIs and four homers. He has gone from struggling mightily to Mr. Reliable. "What we're seeing now, we expect all the time," manager Bob Melvin said. "When he's up there, we expect him to get a hit. It's not just me, it's everyone on the bench. We're surprised when he gets just one hit in a game." Suddenly it appears as if Matsui's career might continue, but Matsui, always"

Fans cheer Matsui's decisive HR

July 24

New York Post

"Hideki Matsui isn't the hitter he was during his prime with the Yankees, but you wouldn't know that from his recent appearances at Yankee Stadium. After blasting a seventh-inning shot into the right field seats yesterday in the Athletics' 4-3 win, the former Yankee has homered in four of his last five games in The Bronx. And although his blast against Boone Logan to lead off the seventh provided the Athletics with a critical run, the fans still gave Matsui a loud ovation. "I did notice it, but I think they made a mistake," Matsui said through a translator after his homer gave the A's a 4-2 lead. "I think they must have thought the Yankees scored." Nevertheless, he appreciated the"

Matsui hits 500th pro HR as A's top Tigers 7-5

July 21

San Francisco Chronicle

"Hideki Matsui is a big-timer in New York, a triumphant Yankee for most of seven seasons who saved his best for last - an MVP award in the 2009 World Series. Now he's returning to Yankee Stadium a member of the 500 home run club. With an asterisk. No, not that type of asterisk. Matsui wasn't linked to steroids. The link in this case involves two continents and an accomplished hitter who slugged in both. Matsui's 500 combined homers are split between Japan (332) and the majors (168). The big five-oh-oh came Wednesday when he homered off Tigers left-hander Duane Below, who made his big-league debut in Oakland's 7-5 victory. Matsui collected three hits and three RBIs and is 8-for-19 with nine"

Hideki Matsui hits 500th homer as A's beat Tigers

July 21

Oakland Tribune

"In a perfect scenario, Hideki Matsui would have made history this weekend at his old stamping grounds of Yankee Stadium. His 500th home run combined between Japan and the major leagues instead came Wednesday night at Comerica Park, and the timing was no problem for the A's. Matsui's long-awaited blast highlighted a 7-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers, a rare night when Oakland's offense carried the load. He launched a 1-0 pitch from Duane Below that glanced off the right-field pole to lead off the sixth inning, making Matsui the first player to combine for 500 homers in Japan and the major leagues. "I'm happy to be able to get it out of the way," said Matsui, who went 3 for 4 with three"

Matsui could get milestone homer at Yankee Stadium

July 19

San Francisco Chronicle

"Hideki Matsui hit career home run No. 499, combined between Japan and the major leagues, on June 16, and he has not hit one since. That has led to speculation that, like former Yankees teammate Derek Jeter - who recorded career hit No. 3,000 at Yankee Stadium - Matsui might hit his milestone blast at New York this week. Matsui spent his first seven big-league seasons with the Yankees and had his best years there, including 2009, when he was World Series MVP. Matsui said through translator Roger Kahlon that he is not frustrated by the lack of homers the past month, but he can't say the same for his swing overall. "I have not been able to get to the point where I'm satisfied with my hitting"

Hideki Matsui celebrates Japan's World Cup victory with his own big day

July 18

Oakland Tribune

"It was a pretty momentous sports day for Japan on Sunday. The Japanese soccer team won the Women's World Cup, and on a smaller scale, Hideki Matsui made news with his first three-RBI day as a member of the A's. No question, it's been a rough go for Matsui most of the year, but particularly lately. He had gone 7 for 50 (.140) over his past 15 games, and his average had dropped to .210 heading into Sunday. Moreover, sitting on 499 career home runs combining his Japanese and U.S. totals, he hasn't gone deep since June 16, a span of 23 games. Matsui's nearly hit No. 500 in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, however, and Sunday drove home the first runs in the A's eight-run first-inning"

A's Hideki Matsui lauds Derek Jeter for milestone

July 10

San Francisco Chronicle

"Hideki Matsui called Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter "the best teammate I've ever had" on Saturday, and Matsui was pleased that his old friend recorded his 3,000th hit - and did it with a home run. "It's amazing what he's achieved and to accomplish it with a home run - well, it kind of resembles him," Matsui said through translator Roger Kahlon. "I don't think he's conscious of doing it, but he just has a flair for the dramatic." Matsui has been stuck in his own quest for a round number - he's at 499 home runs combined in Japan and the major leagues - and he's been there for 19 games since June 16."

Hideki Matsui's hit leads A's over Giants 4-2

June 19

San Francisco Chronicle

"A new A's lineup was on display at the Coliseum. Not a permanent lineup, manager Bob Melvin said. Just a temporary arrangement with Josh Willingham missing a couple of games because of a sore Achilles tendon. But after the A's came alive in the fifth inning of their 4-2 victory over the Giants on Saturday night, Melvin might want to reconsider. Coco Crisp third? Daric Barton ninth? Adam Rosales in left? And, yes, Hideki Matsui hitting fourth. If we were still on Bob Geren's watch, Matsui would have been on the bench, as he usually was against left-handed pitchers. But thanks to Melvin's confidence in Matsui, the designated hitter faced lefty Jonathan Sanchez in the decisive rally and broke"

Matsui may play a lot more in left field for Oakland on upcoming trip to N.L. parks

June 19

Oakland Tribune

"With injured left fielder Josh Willingham out a few days, Hideki Matsui will spend more time with his glove than expected. Manager Bob Melvin said Saturday that Matsui could play "multiple games" in left field, if Willingham remains sidelined during the A's upcoming road games against the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. Playing in National League ballparks means no designated hitter. And the power-starved A's can't afford to have their top two home run hitters out of the lineup at the same time. Matsui had been in line to start in right field once in each city. Instead, he will reacquaint himself with the position he has played 582 times in his major league career -- but only 18"

New manager Bob Melvin settles on Hideki Matsui as No. 3 hitter in order

June 12

Oakland Tribune

"A's manager Bob Melvin is using this four-game series against the Chicago White Sox to experiment with personnel, but he's settled on one big decision. He wants designated hitter Hideki Matsui as his regular No. 3 hitter, a nod of confidence to a player who has largely struggled in his first season in Oakland. "In the three spot, if you keep running guys in and out of there, or guys that aren't playing every day, psychologically it might play into, 'Well, maybe we're not as good offensively as we think we are,' " Melvin said before Saturday's 3-2 loss to Chicago. "I'd like to have a little more of a set lineup, especially in the middle, and rely on those guys and have confidence in those"

A's Hideki Matsui ends his longest hitless stretch

June 5

San Francisco Chronicle

"Hideki Matsui's 11th-inning single to right Saturday ended the longest hitless stretch of his major-league career, an 0-for-19 skid. "Maybe a sense of relief," Matsui said through translator Roger Kahlon. Matsui said he felt as if he'd had some good at-bats, a boost for his confidence. The A's designated hitter went 1-for-7 and struck out twice, both with men in scoring position. The second time, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia dropped the ball; had Matsui made it to first, Conor Jackson easily would have scored the go-ahead run."

Struggling Hideki Matsui sits against against old teammates New York Yankees

June 2

Oakland Tribune

"Frustration is mounting for the A's designated hitter Hideki Matsui, who for the second straight day wasn't in the lineup against a New York Yankees right-handed starter. Matsui went 0 for 3 on Monday, dropping his average in May to .197, and he is hitting just .222 with three homers and 19 RBIs this season. Manager Bob Geren said he has better options. Matsui was in the on-deck circle to pinch-hit when the game ended Wednesday. "He's struggling a little bit right now, and we've got a couple of other guys swinging the bat pretty good," Geren said. "I fully expect him to be fine and contribute and have a fine second half." Matsui didn't question the manager's benching but maintained it's"

Hideki Matsui unused to sitting

June 2

San Francisco Chronicle

"Hideki Matsui was out of the lineup three times in four games, including Tuesday and Wednesday when the Yankees started right-handed pitchers. In the past, he'd almost always play against righties. "Not being able to play is kind of a difficult situation," Matsui said through interpreter Roger Kahlon. "In order to get out of your slump, you have to play. But if you're not playing, it's hard to get out of it." Matsui is hitting .222 and coming off a .197 May, and manager Bob Geren predicted the designated hitter will rebound with a "nice second half," to which Matsui said, "I'd like to believe so, too, but in order for the results to come, you have to play." Matsui, who turns 37 on June 12,"

DH Matsui becoming a fixture on Oakland bench

May 16

Oakland Tribune

"Hideki Matsui is spending more time on the bench than anyone could have predicted for the A's designated hitter. Matsui, hitting just .236 with three homers and 15 RBIs, was out of the lineup Sunday for the fourth time in the past six games. Kurt Suzuki served as DH in a 4-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox, with Landon Powell catching. The left-handed hitting Matsui is hitting .171 against lefty pitchers and came in just 3 for 16 lifetime against White Sox lefty Mark Buehrle, who started Sunday. The A's are scheduled to face four right-handed starters in their next four games against the Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins. "We've got a string of (right-handers) coming up, and he's going"

Hideki Matsui's walkoff homer in 10th gives Oakland A's a 5-4 victory over Texas Rangers

May 3

Oakland Tribune

"Left fielder Josh Willingham was busy demolishing a Gatorade bar, so he didn't witness the biggest moment of the A's season as it began unfolding Monday. No matter. His ears told him all there was to know about Hideki Matsui's walkoff homer that beat the Texas Rangers 5-4. "I took a bite of my bar and heard the crack," Willingham said. "I looked up and saw the ball and knew it was a home run." Matsui ended things quickly in the bottom of the 10th, crushing the first pitch from lefty Darren Oliver deep over the right field wall. It marked Matsui's biggest highlight yet in an A's uniform, and it put an exclamation point on a morale-boosting four days for his club, which moved within one game"

Hideki Matsui's homer lifts A's over Texas 5-4

May 3

San Francisco Chronicle

"Right off the bat, Hideki Matsui's blast to lead off the 10th inning left no doubt that it was heading out of the park. "If you saw it or if you heard it, you knew it was going to be way back," A's infielder Andy LaRoche said. "We were all bum-rushing the field." Matsui smoked the first pitch he got from left-hander Darren Oliver into the seats above the scoreboard in right to give Oakland a 5-4 win over Texas and a victory in the four-game series against the Rangers. Texas remained tied for the division lead with the Angels, who lost at Boston. The A's are a game back. "Obviously, it's nice to win it hitting a walk-off home run, but they are going to be formidable rivals going down the"

Matsui hits first homer as A's beat Minnesota

April 11

Oakland Tribune

""Godzilla" left his biggest footprint yet in an A's uniform Sunday. Though the A's had many contributors in a 5-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field, Hideki Matsui's first homer as an Athletic was the most welcome sight for a team that has sputtered offensively. Matsui sent a fourth-inning pitch from Scott Baker rocketing off the facing of the second deck in right-center. The solo shot broke a scoreless tie and ushered in a hitting onslaught -- at least by recent A's standards. Oakland broke out for four runs in the sixth, including Josh Willingham's third homer, to provide a 5-0 cushion. That was enough to withstand a late Twins' rally, and the A's took two of three over the"

Hideki Matsui gets 3 hits off Barry Zito

March 30

San Francisco Chronicle

"With the season about to get going for real, Hideki Matsui is coming alive. Bob Geren, the A's manager, thought the team's new designated hitter had enjoyed his best batting practice of the spring Monday night. One of the Japanese reporters who follows Matsui was particularly impressed with Matsui's hitting before Tuesday night's game at the Coliseum. Matsui put all of that into practice with a three-hit night in the A's 4-1 loss to the Giants, Matsui's first three-hit game of the spring. All of his hits came off Giants starter Barry Zito, a left-hander. Matsui had recorded only one hit off a lefty during Cactus League play. "He was jumping on the heater today," Zito said. "I left a few up"

Hideki Matsui's lack of production in spring training no cause for alarm for Oakland A's

March 23

Contra Costa Times

"The A's signed Hideki Matsui to stir life into their dormant offense. But with the April 1 opener fast approaching, their marquee offseason addition has struggled to say the least. Matsui is hitting .143 in 15 Cactus League games with one home run and two RBIs, and the homer accounts for his only extra-base hit in 42 at-bats. Is this simply the sign of a veteran slow to round into form or a cause for concern? Nobody in an Oakland uniform -- manager Bob Geren, hitting coach Gerald Perry or Matsui himself -- is sounding alarms. But Matsui, 36, was signed to a one-year, $4.25 million deal in December to provide power in the middle of the lineup. Though Matsui isn't the only player who has"

Hideki Matsui hits first spring homer for A's

March 14

San Francisco Chronicle

"The A's rolled out what looked very much like their Opening Night lineup, and the result was nine runs, including Hideki Matsui's first homer of the spring. Daric Barton hit a two-run shot, and Cliff Pennington a three-run home run. "Pretty sick," catcher Kurt Suzuki said of the offense. "Pretty cool, the possibility of all of us playing together all year." Matsui, the A's new designated hitter, entered the day with just one hit in Cactus League play, but he had two hits, including the solo homer off Colorado's Huston Street in the third, and he walked twice. "It felt good to get it out of the way," Matsui said of the homer, through translator Roger Kahlon. "All my at-bats today were good"

Hideki Matsui expresses sympathy, concern for Japan after devasting earthquake

March 11

Oakland Tribune

"Despite the devastating 8.9-magnitude earthquake that hit Japan early Friday morning, the A's new Japanese designated hitter, Hideki Matsui, was in the lineup for Oakland's spring training game here against the Los Angeles Dodgers. But Matsui was well aware of the catastrophe, first learning of the earthquake on the Internet Thursday night and staying up until midnight to try to get more details of the extensive damage. Speaking through interpreter Roger Kahlon, the 36-year-old DH expressed concerned and sympathy for the people of his native country. ``I heard about it last night, actually, but I didn't have much information about it at first,'' Matsui said. ``As time went on, I started to"

Matsui gets easy RBI vs. old team

March 1

San Francisco Chronicle

"A's starter Dallas Braden hasn't hidden his admiration for the A's new designated hitter, Hideki Matsui, so he was tickled that Matsui made his Oakland spring debut in a game Braden started. Braden found it even better that Matsui's first appearance came against his former team, the Angels. "It's like buying a Ferrari from someone else, then putting on a new paint job," Braden said. "You want to go out and honk the horn and have the guy you bought it from say, "Dang, that looks pretty great. Yeah, he looks better in green and gold.' " Matsui didn't do anything really extraordinary Monday in the A's 8-7 loss at Tempe Diablo Stadium, but he did come up in precisely the situation the team"

Co-owner Lew Wolff speaks on hopes for A's this season, Matsui's impact

February 23

Contra Costa Times

"A's co-owner Lew Wolff made his first appearance at spring training Wednesday and didn't hold back his hopes and expectations for his team. Wolff believes the A's have a better roster this year than they did in 2006, when Oakland won its last American League West championship. "I think it's a better team," he said. "This one, I think, is much more balanced. We have a combination of youth -- especially with the pitching -- and maturity. And we've got some veterans who are athletic veterans, and not on the last legs of their career. I just think we have some balance." Wolff referred to the rebuilding plan that general manager Billy Beane started before the 2008 season, when the A's began a"

Athletics have special greeting to mark new DH Hideki Matsui's arrival

February 21

Oakland Tribune

"The A's had a welcome gift waiting for their new designated hitter Sunday. Hideki Matsui reported to camp and found a giant, inflatable Godzilla doll waiting at his locker inside Phoenix Municipal Stadium, a joking reference to Matsui's nickname. The doll was decked out in an A's jersey with Matsui's No. 55. It was a good-natured gag hatched by pitcher Dallas Braden, even if it went off like a surprise party where nobody yelled "Surprise!" Matsui entered the clubhouse and was obviously stunned to see all eyes -- players, coaches, and a huge throng of reporters -- waiting to see his reaction. It took him a few moments to see the doll, but then he broke into a big grin. "I sensed everybody"

A's greet Hideki Matsui with monstrous surprise

February 21

San Francisco Chronicle

"Hideki Matsui turned the corner, stepped into the A's clubhouse and was greeted with dozens of people, all waiting for him, and dead silence. "I sensed everyone staring at me," Matsui said through his translator, Roger Kahlon. "It was kind of awkward. I didn't know if I looked weird or did something." As the A's new designated hitter was directed to his locker, he spotted the 6-foot inflatable Godzilla doll dressed in a Matsui jersey. Matsui threw back his head and laughed, and the tension vanished. "To be welcomed in this manner is a pleasure, but Godzilla is the last character I ever thought I'd be welcomed by," Matsui said with a smile. "I was really surprised. I wondered when they told"

Hideki Matsui's arrival puts A's in unusual glare

February 20

San Francisco Chronicle

"Oakland has had its share of high-profile players join the team late in their career: Nomar Garciaparra, Mike Piazza, Frank Thomas. But Hideki Matsui is a sensation on a different plane. He's an international phenomenon who comes with his own media, his own entourage, and seemingly nonstop activity. From landing Friday night at the Phoenix airport, where he was greeted by Japanese reporters who'd waited for five hours, to his father's news conference on Saturday afternoon, the vibe was one of massive celebrity. "The market we're playing in doesn't really have a sense of star power," A's left-hander Dallas Braden said. "And then you bring in a guy who is an international megastar, like"

New DH Hideki Matsui is welcome sight to Oakland A's, fans

February 20

Oakland Tribune

"On a stormy Saturday afternoon, there was visual evidence of why the A's believe they will be a contender this season. Designated hitter Hideki Matsui appeared for the first time in a full Oakland uniform. It was merely show business, as Matsui was shooting a commercial for Komatsu, a Japanese construction company, at Papago Park Baseball Complex. But there's nothing phony about the A's expectations regarding Matsui this season. As center fielder Coco Crisp put it, "He's proven he's a thumper." Starting Monday, when Matsui joins in the A's first full-squad workout, he will begin work on trying to help resuscitate Oakland's floundering offense of recent years. Matsui's father, Masao, who"

Hideki Matsui is welcome sight to Oakland A's

February 20

Contra Costa Times

"On a stormy Saturday afternoon, there was visual evidence of why the A's believe they will be a contender this season. Designated hitter Hideki Matsui appeared for the first time in a full Oakland uniform. It was merely show business, as Matsui was shooting a commercial for Komatsu, a Japanese construction company, at Papago Park Baseball Complex. But there's nothing phony about the A's expectations regarding Matsui this season. As center fielder Coco Crisp put it, "He's proven he's a thumper." Starting Monday, when Matsui joins in the A's first full-squad workout, he will begin work on trying to help resuscitate Oakland's floundering offense of recent years. Matsui's father, Masao, who"

Hideki Matsui gives A's a face and presence

December 15

San Francisco Chronicle

"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"

Light-hitting Oakland A's add some pop by signing free agent Hideki Matsui

December 15

Oakland Tribune

"The A's can only hope their play in 2011 generates the type of media stir they created with Tuesday's introduction of their new designated hitter. Close to 200 people -- a large majority from Japanese media outlets -- crammed into the Oakland Coliseum's interview room for the arrival of Hideki Matsui, who signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract and became just the third Japanese player to wear an A's uniform. "Holy cow," A's general manager Billy Beane said, surveying the scene as he took his seat next to Matsui. Oakland's floundering offense instantly becomes more credible with Matsui, 36, who is past his prime but still will command pitchers' respect in the middle of the order. But"

Former Yankees and Angels slugger Hideki Matsui to sign with the Oakland A's

December 14

Oakland Tribune

"Hideki Matsui is set to be introduced as the A's new designated hitter today at an afternoon news conference, a source confirmed to Bay Area News Group. The A's have waited to make an official announcement because Matsui, 36, wasn't scheduled to take his physical in the Bay Area until this morning. It's expected Matsui will sign a one-year deal in the neighborhood of the $6 million he made with the Los Angeles Angels last season. Some concrete news did stream from A's headquarters Monday, as free-agent right-hander Brandon McCarthy agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal that includes incentives. McCarthy, 27, adds depth as the A's search for a fifth starter to round out their rotation. But"

A's, Hideki Matsui agree to 1-year deal

December 14

San Francisco Chronicle

"Godzilla is now playing for the A's, one of his favorite teams as a teenager. This afternoon at the Coliseum, the A's will introduce onetime Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui as their designated hitter for 2011, according to multiple sources, pending a physical this morning. The one-year deal is expected to be somewhat less than the $6 million Matsui made with the Angels last season, the sources said. Matsui has said that he was a fan of the "Bash Brothers" teams of the late 1980s, and that he had an A's cap in his room at home. Today's event will be a big one in Japan, where Matsui remains immensely popular. Ten Japanese reporters had the Coliseum staked out Monday, hoping for a glimpse of"

Matsui signing could come Monday for A's, press conference Tuesday

December 13

San Francisco Chronicle

"Several sources told The Chronicle on Sunday night that a Tuesday press conference appears likely after the Hideki Matsui signing is finalized. That doesn't rule out an announcement on Monday, but the team might choose to wait until everyone is assembled, especially considering the entourage that comes with Matsui - translator, public relations person, dozens of Japanese reporters. Matsui's popularity in the Asian community could make this one of the A's bigger press conferences in recent years."

Oakland A's: Deal with Matsui appears to be close

December 13

Oakland Tribune

"Multiple sources have indicated to Bay Area News Group that the A's and free-agent slugger Hideki Matsui are very close to finalizing a contract. An announcement could come as soon as Tuesday. Terms are not known, but it's believed the A's have been considering Matsui on a one-year deal. Team officials don't comment on free agents until deals are finalized, but A's general manager Billy Beane met with Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem, during last week's winter meetings, and those talks were fruitful. The A's are in search of a designated hitter to replace Jack Cust, who was non-tendered and signed with the Seattle Mariners last week. The left-handed hitting Matsui, 36, moved to the top of the"

Iwakuma bows out, so Beane focuses on Matsui

December 7

San Francisco Chronicle

"Another day, another deal not done. On Monday, the A's failed to come to terms with Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma by the deadline. Oakland will get back the $19.1 million posting fee paid to his team, the Rakuten Golden Eagles, which perhaps can be applied to the hunt for a designated hitter, and that very well might be another Japanese player. The A's are focusing their efforts on former Yankees All-Star Hideki Matsui, and two sources confirmed that Oakland general manager Billy Beane met with Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem, on Monday. Unlike other A's targets this winter, Matsui is believed to have strong interest in signing with Oakland. The A's were disappointed not to land Iwakuma, the"

White Sox exploring Matsui, Damon

November 18

Chicago Tribune

"With Jim Thome having been traded, the White Sox explored a variety of left-handed-hitting options before 2010, including Hideki Matsui. They remain in search of left-handed bats a year later, and Matsui is among the players on their radar. According to sources, the Sox are exploring contract offers to Matsui and possibly Johnny Damon but are not at the point of making offers to anyone. They are likely to hold off until next month on any such moves, as the Dec. 2 non-tender date will send more free agents onto the market."

Matsui's future uncertain as Halos head to 2011

October 5

MLB.com

"Some of the Angels packed their belongings at Angel Stadium on Monday, none with their future more up in the air than Hideki Matsui. The 36-year-old designated hitter is a free agent this offseason, and while it looks outwardly like Matsui will not fit into the Halos' 2011 plans, manager Mike Scioscia and general manager Tony Reagins said it was still possible he cold return. Neither Scioscia nor Reagins indicated that chance was strong, though. "That's all stuff we're going to be talking about over the next three months or so," Reagins said. "We're going to evaluate his free agent status as we will others that become available, and then make a decision. Would I say it's completely out of"

Farewell for Angels' Shields, Matsui?

October 4

Orange County Register

"Scot Shields admitted to getting "a little bit" choked up in the clubhouse after the game Sunday. Though he denied it at the time, Shields probably threw his last pitch on Sept. 7. He left that game after feeling discomfort in his pitching elbow. An MRI later revealed a strained muscle in his forearm and Shields was shut down for the rest of the season. The last player from the Angels' 2002 World Series champions still with the team is likely to retire this off-season. "Everything," Shields said when asked what he would miss. "Competing, going out there and facing the Derek Jeters, the A-Rods and competing against them. And working every day with the guys in here." The 35-year-old Shields"

Hideki Matsui ends season on high note

October 4

Los Angeles Times

"If Sunday was, indeed, Hideki Matsui's last game as an Angel, he went out with a bang. The Japanese designated hitter clubbed a two-run home run to right field in the fourth inning to help the Angels defeat the Texas Rangers, 6-2, in the season finale at the Ballpark in Arlington. Peter Bourjos snapped a 2-2 tie with a solo home run to left in the sixth, and Mark Trumbo, the former Villa Park High School star, capped a three-run ninth with a two-run single for his first big league hit. Dan Haren gave up two runs and seven hits in six innings, striking out three and walking none, to improve to 5-4 with the Angels, and Rich Thompson, Kevin Jepsen and Jordan Walden each threw scoreless"

Matsui shows he has something left

September 2

Orange County Register

"Apparently Mariners left-hander Jason Vargas hasn't gotten the memo about Hideki Matsui not being able to hit left-handers anymore. And neither did Matsui. Nursing a one-run lead with two outs and a runner on third in the seventh inning, Vargas left an 0-and-1 fastball over the plate to Matsui and the Angels' DH drove it into the first row of the right-field seats for a two-run home run that sent the Angels on their way to a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Mariners right-fielder Ichiro Suzuki climbed the wall in pursuit of Matsui's deep fly and nearly made a spectacular catch that would have set off a media frenzy among the Japanese reporters who cover the two stars. "Probably a few"

Hideki Matsui's homer lifts Angels, 4-2

September 2

Los Angeles Times

"Ichiro Suzuki came within inches of robbing Hideki Matsui of a home run Wednesday night, leaving the large Japanese media contingent in Safeco Field feeling somewhat robbed. Matsui's two-run shot over the outstretched glove of Suzuki in the seventh inning turned a one-run deficit into a one-run lead and pushed the Angels toward a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Had the acrobatic right fielder come up with the catch to deny the Angels' designated hitter, it would have been one of the biggest stories of the season in Japan. "Probably, a few companies would have put it on the front page," Matsui said through a translator. "Baseball is very popular in Japan too." Jordan Walden struck"

Angels could face a difficult decision about Hideki Matsui

August 27

Los Angeles Times

"The waiver wire is bustling this time of year, with teams jostling to add a piece to boost their World Series hopes and non-contenders looking to dump salary or trade a veteran for a prospect or two. It is not known whether Angels designated hitter Hideki Matsui has been on waivers, but if he has, and a team wins a claim or trades for him, he will come with a little baggage in the form of the 40 or so Japanese media members who cover him on a daily basis. Think it's tough for a major leaguer wondering where he'll be playing next week? Imagine being a reporter who, after covering Matsui for seven years in New York and moving to Southern California for 2010, has to move again for a month,"

Angels designated hitter Matsui remains a big hit, just not on the field

August 13

L.A. Daily News

"In Japan, Hideki Matsui is a hero. In Anaheim, Matsui is a 36-year-old designated hitter, too slow to play the field on a regular basis, hitting .243 with 14 homers and 57 RBIs and making $6 million this season. He replaced Vladimir Guerrero, who wanted a multi-year contract to stay with the Angels. When Guerrero didn't get the multi-year deal, he tested the market and ended up getting a one-year deal with the Rangers for $6.5 million. While Guerrero has thrived with the American League West-leading Rangers, hitting .296 with 21 homers and 86 RBIs, Matsui has struggled, especially of late. In his past 11 games, Matsui is hitting .135 (5 for 37) with no homers and two RBIs. All five of his"

Scioscia defends slumping Matsui ... and benches him

August 9

Orange County Register

"Angels manager Mike Scioscia's defense of Hideki Matsui has been far more consistent this season than Matsui's production. With Matsui in the depths of yet another slump (1 for his past 14), Scioscia benched Matsui for the third time in the past seven games, the first time against a right-handed starter. But Scioscia continued to express confidence that Matsui's next good streak is just around the corner. "Right now, not a lot of hits are falling in for him. That's obvious," Scioscia said. "You also have to know there's enough baseball left that this can turn around and he can be productive. "There's a definite chance for him to get his stroke and help us. He's not that far off. But I"

Angels' Hideki Matsui sits out again

August 9

Los Angeles Times

"Hideki Matsui was given Sunday off in part "to take a break," Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said, the third time in the last seven games that the designated hitter was out of the lineup. Matsui could soon find himself on an extended leave unless he pulls out of a slump in which he has hit .204 with four home runs and nine runs batted in in his last 27 games. Scioscia offered his most forthright assessment of Matsui's season before the game, saying, "His downturns have been a little longer this year than we would have anticipated. It certainly doesn't mean that he's not going to be close to some of the projections we had; it's that right now obviously there are some things he needs to get"

Scioscia expects Matsui to 'be very productive'

July 21

Los Angeles Times

"Coming out of the All-Star break, Manager Mike Scioscia said he expected Hideki Matsui to "be very productive in the second half" and to end up with "numbers that are comparable to what he did in New York last season." So far, the numbers don't add up. Matsui hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning of Tuesday night's 10-2 win over the Yankees, but he's batting .249 with 11 homers, 49 runs batted in, 26 runs and 70 strikeouts in 96 games, putting him on pace for 18 homers, 82 RBIs, a career-low 43 runs and a career-high 118 strikeouts. The 36-year-old Matsui's previous low for average was .274 in 2009, a season in which he had 28 homers and 90 RBIs and won World Series most valuable"

Veterans Abreu, Matsui big part of Angels' offensive woes

July 8

Orange County Register

"If only they stocked power-hitting corner infielders at Costco."Not a day goes by that (Angels GM) Tony Reagins isn't looking at other solutions, both in-house and outside the organization," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of the team's search for an offensive boost. "It's a process and that process is ongoing.

"It's not just a matter of going to the grocery store and picking up what you need off the shelf. It's a complicated process."

The Angels' need to shop for an impact hitter like Adam Dunn in midseason might not be so pressing if two of their offseason purchases were producing more.

Both Bobby Abreu (the only one of last winter's six free agents the Angels"

Angels' Hideki Matsui starts in left field

July 6

Los Angeles Times

"Hideki Matsui spent several minutes in the clubhouse Monday afternoon pounding his glove with a small wooden mallet. Then he used the end of a bat to pound it some more. The Angels slugger got even more help breaking in the glove a few hours later when he started a second consecutive game in left field for the first time this season. With Juan Rivera sidelined for a sixth consecutive game because of problems associated with blurry vision, Matsui was again an Angel in the outfield. He made a nice over-the-shoulder catch on the warning track in the second inning to rob A.J. Pierzynski of an extra-base hit. But Manager Mike Scioscia said he anticipated using his primary designated hitter in"