Hideki Matsui cannot officially become a Yankee until the middle of next week, but as MLB’s general managers get set to gather in Tucson, Ariz., this weekend for their annual meeting, the word around baseball is that this Godzilla of a deal is long done.
“That’s what everybody is saying,” one industry source noted yesterday. “Two years for $24 million. The rich get richer.”
The Yankees are also close to signing a TV deal that will bring the games of Matsui’s old team, the Yomiuri Giants to the Yes Network. The Yankees will broadcast their games to Japan, but that money has to be split among the other MLB clubs. The Yankees, though, could pick up cash through special ballpark advertising that would be seen by Japanese viewers.
The Yankees’ interest in signing the power-hitting outfielder was first reported in The Post, April 21. Matsui batted .334 this past season with 50 home runs and 107 RBIs. It’s expected he would play two years with the Yankees and then go back to Japan.
GM Brian Cashman is expected to heavily shop outfielders Raul Mondesi and Rondell White and left-handed pitcher Sterling Hitchcock in Tucson.
There also has been talk that the Yankees have an interest in ex-Met and current Rockie-flop Mike Hampton, who owns a no-trade clause.
The Yankees did announce yesterday that all went well with reliever Steve Karsay’s back surgery. Cashman said doctors assured him Karsay will be ready come spring training. Dr. Paul Kuflik and Dr. Michael Neuwirth performed the surgery at Beth Israel North Hospital.
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A few weeks ago, Yank VP of major league scouting Gene Michael was not allowed to talk to the Red Sox about their GM opening. The Orioles also expressed an interest in Michael, it’s been learned, but that never came to pass, either . . . The Quiet Man, Robin Ventura is a free agent and would prefer to stay in pinstripes even if it means just a one-year deal. Ventura will have several options because a number of teams are looking for third basemen, including the NL pennant-winning Giants. Prospect Drew Henson is nowhere near ready to make the jump to Yankee Stadium and there continues to be talk in NFL circles that Henson will jump back to football because of his hitting struggles.