Yankee Fans, Quick Question

Jeff's post brings up a good question for the Yankees this offseason, with Matsui's recent hot streak should the Yankees bring him back?

I think it's assumed the Yankees will bring back Damon on a 2 year $16m type of deal, in addition to that should they also bring back Matsui on a one year deal, not bring him back and rely on an Austin Jackson, or not bring him back and try to sign Jason Bay or Matt Holliday?

If the Yankees call up Jackson and rely on him next year they are looking at an outfield of Jackson in left, Melky/Gardner in center, and Swisher in right, that's a pretty weak outfield. They could also rotate Damon in LF and Jackson in CF, but this year Damon's UZR/150 at LF is -9.0. If that's a trend, he may be a DH himself.

If the Yankees sign Bay or Holliday they lock up the LF slot with good production, but also spend millions of dollars for presumabely several years. A lot of money will be coming off the books with Damon and Matsui, but should they immediately put that money into a 30 year old LF?

If they don't want to sign an expensive free agent, and don't want to rely on a rookie, the Yankees can simply resign Matsui on a cheap one year deal. It's not like teams are going to be chomping at the bit to sign Matsui, he can't play in the NL and only a few teams will have room for an aging DH.

After not wanting to sign Matsui the entire year, my choice is to now keep him. The difference in production between Matsui and Bay/Holliday isn't enough compared to the difference in price. Bay is definitely not worth it considering he's been a horrible LF the last several years and that he isn't a significantly better hitter than Matsui (24.4 park adjusted runs above average compared to Matsui's 17.1). Holliday makes more sense than Bay as he's both a better hitter and a solid fielder, but something like 4 years $56m just isn't something that appeals to me.

Austin Jackson should be a good player, but instead of relying on that to happen next year, the Yankes can resign both Damon and Matsui and work Jackson in as they need. Then in 2011 Jackson can be a full time player with some experience under his belt and the Yankees will have saved millions that they could use elsewhere.

What say you about this? Please post your thoughts in the comments section, maybe we can have a little discussion.