There will be some frustration on Hideki Matsui’s part if things don’t work out with the Yankees, but he is ready to move on, if necessary.

“If that happens, yeah, I think that would be disappointing,” Matsui said before Joe Torre’s Safe at Home Foundation Gala at Chelsea Piers on Friday night. “On the other hand, it’s something to look forward to. It means that it’s going to be a new change, something different for me, a new challenge for me. So in that sense, I’ll definitely take it in a positive way. The Yankees have their own plans, too, and you have to respect that.”
The Yankees haven’t disclosed those plans, but at the general managers’ meetings last week in Chicago, Brian Cashman made it clear that standout postseasons by any player won’t influence his decisions. He also reiterated that the Yankees view Matsui, 35, solely as a designated hitter and that the outfield is out of the question, as it was in 2009.
Matsui, speaking through his translator, Roger Kahlon, said there haven’t been any talks between the Yankees and his agent, Arn Tellem. He can sign with any team starting Friday. “My feelings are still with the Yankees,” the World Series MVP said, “but as far as progress is concerned, I don’t think anything has happened yet and we’ll just wait and see.”
Torre, who managed Matsui for five seasons, recalled Derek Jeter’s dugout reaction to the strategy of calling for lefthanded relievers to face the lefthanded-hitting Matsui, who has hit lefties well throughout his career.
“It goes back to every time they brought a lefthander in, I remember Derek used to say, ’Oh, don’t bring a lefthander in for Matsu, don’t do that,’ “ Torre said, using Matsui’s nickname. “And invariably he’d hit a double or a home run and (Jeter) would say, ’I told you so.’ “
(Matsui has batted .294 with a .359 on-base percentage, a .465 slugging percentage and 40 home runs against lefthanders in his seven-year career. He has gone .291-.375-.490 with 100 homers against righthanders.)
Torre added: “He’s a special young man. Sounds like he wants to stay with the Yankees. I hope he gets what he wants.”
If the Yankees pass on Matsui, he’s certain to have other suitors. He won’t return to Japan to play.
Said Matsui, “As of right now, no, I’m not thinking about going to Japan.”