Matsui faces new and tough challenges with Los Angeles Angels
(From The Japan Times Jan. 6 issue)

移籍で優勝に挑む松井秀喜選手

World Series MVP Hideki Matsui's move from the New York Yankees to the Los Angeles Angels sheds light on the harsh realities Major League Baseball players face as they pursue their careers. Competition is tough, and team front offices coolly calculate what kinds of players they need and how much money they should invest in each player.

Mr. Matsui had more than 100 RBIs four times in seven seasons with the Yankees. In the last World Series, the designated hitter helped the Yankees win the championship by going 8 for 13 (.615) with three home runs and eight RBIs. But the 35-year-old left-handed hitter has been plagued by injuries. In 2006, he broke his left wrist and after suffering other injuries he has been unable to play in the outfield since July 2008. Despite his strong batting skills, proven ability to win and desire to stay with the Yankees, the team decided that it does not need Mr. Matsui — who had just completed a $52 million, four-year contract.

Mr. Matsui decided to move to the American League's Los Angeles Angels because the team had, in his words, "welcomed me with open arms, and understood my goals and desires." Angels manager Mike Scioscia has hinted at the possibility of Mr. Matsui playing in the outfield, but as far as the contract itself is concerned Mr. Matsui might be a bit disappointed. The team offered him a $6 million one-year contract — less than half of the $13 million that he earned last season in New York. In comparison, on the same day Mr. Matsui joined the Angels, John Lackey, a 31-year-old right-handed pitcher who had earned more than 10 wins for seven straight years and posted a 3.81 earned run average in eight years with the Angels, signed an $82.5 million five-year contract with the Boston Red Sox, also in the American League.

At a news conference, Mr. Matsui expressed his determination to do his best and lead the Angels to its first World Series victory since 2002. His path may not be smooth, but we wish him the best.

ワールドシリーズMVP、松井秀喜選手のヤンキースからエンゼルスへの移籍は、熾烈な競争、求める選手とその年棒を冷静に見極めるフロントなど、大リーグの厳しさを浮き彫りにした。松井選手はヤンキースでの7年間に100打点以上を4度記録、ワールドシリーズで指名打者として3本塁打8打点でチームを優勝に導いたが、2006年の左手首骨折以降、故障が続き、2008年7月以降は外野を守れなかった。

ア･リーグのエンゼルスは自分の目標を理解し歓迎してくれたと松井選手は語るが、ヤンキースでの年1300万ドルの半分以下である単年600万ドル契約となった。同日、元エンゼルスのラッキー投手は同じくア･リーグのレッドソックスに8250万ドルの5年契約で移籍している。道は険しくとも、エンゼルスを2002年以来初のワールドシリーズ優勝へと導くため全力を尽くすと誓った松井選手を応援したい。