Hideki Matsui has signed on the dotted line of a one-year contract worth $6.5 million to play for the Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem in 2010:
Angels, Hideki Matsui Make One-Year Deal Official
"He's a professional hitter," [Angels' manager Mike] Scioscia said. "That means he's a guy who knows when to pull the ball, when to go the other way, and he can put the bat on the ball. He'll help our young player a lot and he'll add to the middle of our lineup."
Matsui, in essence, replaces Vladimir Guerrero, who leaves the Angels after six years and an MVP award. But Matsui wants to be more than a designated hitter and Scioscia agrees.
"We talked and I was happy that they wanted me to play the outfield, too," Matsui said, speaking through an interpreter.
Matsui will see time in the outfield for the Halos next year, but hasn’t played the position since 2008. He played 116 games as a designated hitter for the Yankees last year.
Scioscia expects Matsui to hit somewhere between the No. 3 and No. 5 spots in the Angels’ lineup next season.
See More:
