The Red Sox have a four-year, $60 million offer out to Jason Bay, but they are reportedly hunting for backup plans. World Series MVP Hideki Matsui appears to be one of them.
According to NPB Tracker, citing a report from the Japanese outlet Nikkan Sports, the Red Sox are preparing to make a multiyear offer to the 35-year-old Matsui, who hit 28 homers in 456 at-bats during the past season while serving as the Yankees’ designated hitter.
Godzilla’s balky knees are a concern for the Red Sox because Matsui has never been known for stellar defense and has played only 24 games in the outfield since 2007. However, Bay’s own defensive shortcomings make Matsui a viable, significantly cheaper alternative.
Matsui is said to be looking for a contract in the $8 million per year neighborhood. If Matsui signs with the Red Sox on those terms, Theo Epstein will have more resources to address the team’s other shortcomings — like long-term extensions for Josh Beckett and Victor Martinez.
It is also possible that the Red Sox are using Matsui either to gain leverage with Bay or to drive up Matsui’s price for the Yankees.
