The Tampa Bay Rays have officially signed DH Hideki Matsui to a minor league contract. Matsui spent last season with the Oakland A’s and hit a pedestrian .251/.321/.375 with 12 HR’s in 517 AB’s.

At first I was a little surprised the Rays would sign Matsui considering they already have a left-handed DH in Luke Scott and Scott is off to a pretty good start in 2012. However, when you take a look at the Rays’ bench, the lack a left-handed power hitter. Brandon Allen could be that guy, but he has never proven it at the Major League level.

If Matsui shows he has anything left in the minors, I could see him being a left-handed hitter off the bench for the Rays, potentially hitting for Jose Molina or Sean Rodriguez late in the game if need be.

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By The Baseball Index