2010 Yankees DH

If not Hideki Matsui, who will be the Yankees designated hitter in 2010? The World Series MVP wants to come back to the Bronx and the two sides could meet in the middle and come to terms. Everybody is getting caught up in what the Yankees will do with Matsui and fellow free agent Johnny Damon, but they aren’t talking about the fact that the Yankees don’t have a primary DH on their roster without Matsui. Matsui is a better DH than almost anyone the Yankees would bring in to replace him. 

The Yankees know what they’ll get from Matsui when healthy. The key in that sentence is “when healthy”. Health may be the Yankees concern about Matsui, who has been hindered by knee injuries. If Matsui and his agent are willing to compromise on salary figures, it’ a no-brainer for both sides. Matsui is the best option for the Bombers at DH. It’s becoming more likely Damon won’t be returning since he covets a three or four year deal. This bodes well for Matsui.  

Matsui and the Yankees may not come to terms, however. Joe Girardi could go with a part-time DH and the rest of the time give an everyday player a half day off and have them DH. Three games a week Girardi can rotate Posada, Jeter, A-Rod or another position player at DH. The Yankees could also obtain a regular DH.

Matsui is the Yankees best option for DH. He played in 142 regular season games in 2009. He’s 35 years old, will turn 36 in June, and can give the Yankees between 120 and 140 games as DH in 2010. A reasonable offer will put Matsui in pinstripes for 2010.