Hideki Matsui Signs With Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim

2009 World Series MVP

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have signed World Series MVP Hideki Matsui to serve as DH for one-year at $6.5 million, possibly marking the end of the Vladimir Guerrero era with the Angels.

The former Yomiuri Giants and New York Yankees hit .274 last season with 28 home runs, and that kind of production in the DH spot should really benefit them, who are relying on Kendry Morales, Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter, and now Matsui to carry the team in production.  The Angels have Juan Rivera in left field and Bobby Abreu in right field but if Matsui’s knees are in good shape, he could see time when Rivera or Abreu need a day off.

The 35-year-old left-handed-hitter has enjoyed a prosperous career in the United States with a .292 batting average with 140 home runs and 597 RBIs over seven Major League seasons with the Yankees. And he’s coming off a season in which he had .274 batting average, 28 home runs and 90 RBIs while also posting a .367 on-base percentage and .509 slugging percentage.

Matsui, like Guerrero, is nearing the end of a storied career and, combining Japan and the United States, is 133 hits shy of 2,500, 28 home runs shy of 500 and 14 RBIs shy of 1,500. And in the Majors, he’s 23 hits shy of 1,000, 84 games shy of 1,000 and two doubles shy of 200. He’s also the first player since former closer John Wetteland in 1996 to switch teams after being named World Series MVP.