Hideki Matsui May Be Out for Season

In yesterday's look at the Yankees approach to the trading deadline, it was my opinion that the best answer for the Yankees offensive woes was a healthy return by Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon. That may not be a possibility any longer, however. Matsui's left knee swelled yesterday raising the possibility that he'll need season-ending surgery.

Matsui will be examined on Friday but you can expect the rumor mill to heat up regarding possible corner outfield/DH replacements. Naturally that means Brian Cashman was asked about Barry Bonds but the GM was quite careful in downplaying any thoughts in that direction.

"I would say any rampant speculation on us involving a player of that magnitude would be extremely premature. I would caution everybody to not misunderstand that since I'm not saying no to it, that that means, 'Oh my gosh, that that might be happening down the line.' It's not something we're focused on at this point."

Bonds seems like a longshot, especially with the Yankees needing a righty bat more than another lefty. That should put players like Xavier Nady, Casey Blake and, thinking very big, Matt Holliday on the radar screen. The price tag for any of those players will only rise if Matsui is done for the years as the Yankees will lose all their leverage at the negotiating table. Compounding the problem is a setback in Damon's rehab which makes his end of the week return doubtful and leaves the Yankees even more in need of another bat.