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3:45pm post by Jayson Stark saying SF looking at Matsui and Stark mentions Lincecum, Cain and Noah being thrown out as bait for a hitter. If the Yanks were offered Cain or Lincecum, they should throw some money at Matsui to wave his no trade clause. Lincecum is special and I think Cain at worst is a solid #4 possible #3. Matsui defense is awful and it really helps alleviate the glut of LF/DHs on the team.

Tim-

I would make that deal in a second for Cain or Lincecum.

Matsui never had a good arm but he can throw accurately and I always thought he played a smart outfield. Was there really some measurable decline in his defense last year? Remember, this guy played centerfield in Japan.

Well I doubt it would be just Matsui but aside from the obvious ommissions there wouldn't be much I'd take off table to get him even a Jackson or (maybe and) Horne [if they threw in Sanchez or B Wilson]. Over 1 K an inning for 140+ IP is well worth it. He's a better bet to go 180+ solid innings than Hughes, Kennedy, Joba next year.

I doubt that the Giants will give up such a promising stud such as Lincecum for a 33 yr aging outfielder like Matsui. However, I think the Yankees should definately look into Noah Lowry, a pretty decent pitcher will a 14-8 record with a 3.92 ERA. I think he would be a valuable pitcher to take some of the pressure off of Joba, Phil, and Ian.

Probably have to throw in another prospect and some cash for Lincecum. He's a big time prospect and could really bridge the gap to Rivera.

I really doubt Lincecum is going anywhere, but Lowry would be a great pickup. Sign em up.

The Giants offense is so awful they might actually bite, who knows. I wouldn't count on it though.

Cain yes. Lowry would get shelled in the AL. Moving Matsui does make sense. Josiah, a 33yr old OF with tons a revenue potential and a .375 OBP and 100 RBIs a year consistently for $13mm per. He's not without value.

Yes Tim, Matsui does put up solid offense numbers, but he is clearly aging and is basically another DH with Giambi. And the Yankees might as well as get some talent for him. Plus, I mean the Yankees are gaining nearly $300 million dollars in revenue each year, so I doubt parting with Matsui will do a ton of damage.

Josiah, I disagree, he's not "basically just a DH". He can still be a LF in a line-up that needs his bat. I do agree the Yanks can afford to trade him, my point is that he is worth a revenue boost to another team, hence good value in a trade.

I understand what you're saying Tim, but cmon, the Yankees have led the league in batting during these past three years and we still haven't gotten past the first round of the playoffs. Our problem isn't batting, its pitching, and even Lowry can help eat up some innings so the other pitchers can be fully rested and effective in the playoffs where we need them more than ever.

Josiah, we're kind of talking in circles here. My points are (1) Matsui has good value as a trading chip b/c of production, salary and revenue. (2) The Yanks have enough hitting (and revenue) to be able to afford to trade him. (3) Defensively, the Yanks would benefit from Damon in LF over Matsui but it doesn't mean Matsui is only a DH now. (4) The price for Cain/Lincecom would be steeper than just Matsui, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't pursue it by offering guys like Jackson, Tabata, Betemit, Horne, etc.

Seperately, Lowry would get shelled in the AL. He's a soft tossing lefty with control issues [see 1.5+ WHIP]. Yeah, he'll eat the innings but he'll be throwing up all over himself during the process. I'd rather watch Moose give us the same production and keep the offense.