As the Yankees continue to move through the marketplace in search of an extra left-handed bat, they are considering whether potential players have had success in New York before.

That's why, in part, hitters such as Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon have appeal. But the Yankees are not ruling out players who have not called the Big Apple home.

Manager Joe Girardi admitted that having some sort of New York background is a help, but was also quick to point out: "When you think about Raul Ibanez, he's had success wherever he's gone, too."

It's unclear whether the Yankees will sign someone to take up the at-bats lost when Jesus Montero, who was set to be the designated hitter, was sent to Seattle in the Michael Pineda trade.

They probably need to add a utility...

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Now that the New York Yankees have traded away young DH/catcher Jesus Montero, the team is looking for alternatives to stick out there offensively. Monday's rumor mill had Johnny Damon as a likely man to fill the job. Tuesday brings … Continue reading →

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Hideki Matsui or no Hideki Matsui, Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin is looking forward to opening the 2012 Major League Baseball season in Japan. The Athletics and Seattle Mariners open the regular season with a two-game series at Tokyo Dome on March 28 and 29. Many hoped the series would feature a showdown between Matsui and countryman Ichiro Suzuki but Melvin said the A's likely wont be...

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As I watched the New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins broadcast on Sunday, August 21, I heard Yankee announcer Michael Kaye inform viewers that left-hand-hitting outfielders/designated hitters Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui have cleared waivers from their respective teams - Damon...

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Another sweltering day at Yankee Stadium. Only this time, the Oakland Athletics finally sweated out a win against New York. Hideki Matsui homered against his former team, Rich Harden earned his second win of the season and Oakland snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Yankees with a 4-3 victory Saturday.

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Nine innings, nine items to get you going. Ladies and gentleman of the Stew, take a sip of morning Juice. 1. Godzilla! The monster!: Oakland Athletics slugger Hideki Matsui might not be willing or able to grow an Afro (without … Continue reading →

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Boston pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka tried to get in touch with his grandmother. Oakland slugger Hideki Matsui prayed for the victims. Mets reliever Ryota Igarashi stayed up all night to see the devastation. All across spring training, Japanese ballplayers worried Friday about those at home. Hundreds of people were killed or missing after Japan was struck by its biggest recorded earthquake and a massive...

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Boston pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka tried to get in touch with his grandmother. Oakland slugger Hideki Matsui prayed for the victims. Mets reliever Ryota Igarashi stayed up all night to see the devastation.

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Boston pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka tried to get in touch with his grandmother. Oakland slugger Hideki Matsui prayed for the victims. Mets reliever Ryota Igarashi stayed up all night to see the devastation.

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As Hideki Matsui packed his personal effects into boxes in front of his locker on Monday, the thought that his first season with the Los Angeles Angels might have been his last didn't occur to him. He is eligible to become a free agent, and where he ends up next season is anyone's guess. "Would I say that it's completely out of the likelihood that he'll be back?

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