Cashman had to judge risk against cost in this situation and he didn’t feel Matsui could repeat last year’s performance based on what the Yankees knew about his health. Matsui is certainly a capable hitter who can put up good numbers which is why I wanted him re-signed. But if he can’t stay healthy or effective, he isn’t very helpful.

Johnson is a risk as well but he’s a lower risk because he doesn’t have a chronic injury, he’s younger and cheaper. And he can play defense which Matsui can not.

Your logic (Matsui will decline just in a year) has no reason.

I think it’d be wild to expect him to fully return to those levels, but I think he can improve upon and possibly even double his HR total of 8 from last season, especially in his new home park which appears to be a boon for left-handed power. Combine that with his extraordinary patience, and I think he’s a more than suitable replacement for Damon’s bat. Then you’ve got the power-hitting lefty Granderson replacing Matsui’s bat and (hopefully) providing above average defense, and – call me crazy – this team could be nearly as good offensively as they were last year.

I say nearly because Tex, Swisher, Jeter, and even Posada have tough acts to follow. Let’s add a starter and head to Spring Training already.

That’s not to say that Nick doesn’t have his issues, but he hasn’t had any chronic issues. Most of his injuries have been one-off injuries that are not related to each other, save an injury to his right wrist and later his right hand.

I think Cashman had Matsui at a certain price point but Matsui expressed interest in playing the field. Cashman said no and Matsui sniffed around. If Cashman wanted Matsui back, Matsui would have been back.

The Yankees are just lucky that Nick Johnson is still available at the right price. Nick is not a superstar but he has decent numbers, one that the Yankees will benefit from.

That’s the way the ball rolls. You win some, you lose some.