ANAHEIM, Calif. — Hideki Matsui and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a one-year contract worth about $6.5 million on Wednesday, bringing the World Series MVP and two-time All-Star to the AL West power.
Matsui hit .274 with 28 homers and 90 RBIs last season for the New York Yankees, then was selected World Series MVP despite starting only three of the six games against the Philadelphia Phillies. He went 8 for 13 (.615) with three homers and eight RBIs, tying a Series record by driving in six runs in Game 6.
“We are excited to have a player with talent that Hideki brings,” Angels general manager Tony Reagins said in a statement. “He is a professional hitter and we look forward to seeing him in an Angels uniform in 2010.”
The 35-year-old Matsui surpassed 100 RBI four times in seven seasons with the Yankees after coming over from Japan, where he was an enormous star. He just completed a $52 million, four-year contract with New York.
Slowed by surgically repaired knees, Matsui will replace free-agent slugger Vladimir Guerrero as Los Angeles’ primary designated hitter. Guerrero has also been hobbled by injuries and turns 35 in February.
Matsui and the Yankees beat Los Angeles in the AL championship series last season. The Angels have won three straight AL West titles and five of the past six, but haven’t reached the World Series since winning the 2002 title.
Matsui was among three key free agents on the Yankees. Left-hander Andy Pettitte agreed last week to an $11.75 million, one-year contract. Talks have stalled with left fielder Johnny Damon, whose agent wants more guaranteed years than the team is willing to offer.
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