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Hideki Matsui Leaves Yankees and Flies to Los Angeles Angels

By DNAinfo Staff on December 15, 2009 11:14am  | Updated on December 15, 2009 11:31am

Hideki Matsui, the Yankees World Series MVP, agreed to a one-year deal with Los Angeles Angels pending the results of a physical. Matsui had six R.B.I.'s in the World Series clincher.
Hideki Matsui, the Yankees World Series MVP, agreed to a one-year deal with Los Angeles Angels pending the results of a physical. Matsui had six R.B.I.'s in the World Series clincher.
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Flickr/Keith Allison

By Gabriela Resto-Montero

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — Sayonara New York City.

Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui is leaving the Yankees, weeks after he was named Most Valuable Player in the World Series.

Matsui, whose clutch hitting helped the Bombers win their first championship since 2000, has signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels, according to published reports.

The outfielder's agent, Arn Tellem, confirmed Matsui and the Angels were in serious negotiations, but would comment no further, according to the New York Times.

Matsui, 35, reportedly brokered the $6.5 million deal because he was afraid the Yankees would not re-sign him as a designated hitter, the Times reported.

In 2009, Matsui had a .274 average, hit 28 home runs and recorded 90 R.B.I.'s., six of them during the Yankees Game 6 World Series clincher, the New York Post reported. 

Injuries the past couple of years have kept Matsui out of the outfield. He had surgery on his right knee after the 2007 season and another operation in 2008. The deal to the Angels can be completed only after Matsui passes a physical.

Yankee brass waited to make a decision on Matsui, and his fellow free agent Johnny Damon, in part because they wanted to reserve the DH slot for players Jorge Posada and Alex Rodriguez, the Times reported.

Matsui was already a superstar in Japan when he signed with the Yankees in 2002. Back then, he batted .292 with the Yomiuri Giants. The Yanks had their 2004 season opener in Tokyo thanks to Matsui's popularity.