Why Matsui Is An Angel

Via Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem (hat-tip to River Ave. Blues):

In the end, Hideki chose to accept Angel's offer rather than wait for Yankees to decide whether they wanted to bring him back. Failure to act quickly might have caused L.A. to withdraw its offer and forced Hideki to sign with a weaker team, thus forfeiting a shot at another World Series. Conflicted, Hideki stayed up all Sunday night mulling his final move in this limited game of musical free-agent chairs. He didn't want to be left standing.

Happily, the Yankees' 2010 home opener is against the Angels on April 13. Hideki will be on hand --- kusuri-yubi (index finger) extended -- for the ring ceremony.

Makes sense. I can't wait to hear the ovation he receives that day.

Tellem also says that "Scioscia's current plan is to have Hideki test his knees and mobility in spring training. Ideally, Hideki would start in left at least once or twice a week. The rest of the time, he'd DH." I'm not too sure Matsui's knees even have a start a week left in them.