[TDDance234]

...and for all that money they spent, the guy who they're going to let walk was the best player on the field for them in the series in Matsui.

[olldflame]

...and for all that money they spent, the guy who they're going to let walk was the best player on the field for them in the series in Matsui.

Your statement is half true. He was the best hitter on the field, not the best player. I'm not sure it would be a mistake to let him "walk". He's a 35 year old DH with a bad wheel who can't play in the field at all any more. He could still help them at DH, but he is going to ask for a lot of money, and he can get it in Japan, which is where he will probably end up, and personally I think that would be great for him. Sort of a full cycle returning hero thing. The Yankees will be active in the free agent market again this off season, and they'll get a younger, more versatile player. I see this as a New England Patriot style move; letting a veteren player go BEFORE he becomes totally useless.

[Liberty4Life]

...and for all that money they spent, the guy who they're going to let walk was the best player on the field for them in the series in Matsui.

Your statement is half true. He was the best hitter on the field, not the best player. I'm not sure it would be a mistake to let him "walk". He's a 35 year old DH with a bad wheel who can't play in the field at all any more. He could still help them at DH, but he is going to ask for a lot of money, and he can get it in Japan, which is where he will probably end up, and personally I think that would be great for him. Sort of a full cycle returning hero thing. The Yankees will be active in the free agent market again this off season, and they'll get a younger, more versatile player. I see this as a New England Patriot style move; letting a veteren player go BEFORE he becomes totally useless.

Exactly right. The Yankees don't 'owe' Matsui anything; they've already given him tens of millions of dollars.

You can jettison Damon and Matsui and use that money to sign someone like Matt Holliday (younger and better). Plus, it frees up a DH-spot for the time in the near future when A-Rod or Jeter or someone needs to take a day off and still stay in the lineup.