Hideki Matsui: 5 Reasons He's the Perfect Clutch Bat for the Rays in October

Hideki Matsui could be the 2012 Dan Johnson for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Although the season is likely not to end with the same excitement as last season's Game 162 the Rays are expected by many to have the same result, a trip to the postseason.

With reports that the Rays are close to signing the 37-year-old DH to a minor league deal there are questions about how much he has left in his bat to contribute.

Some of the initial reaction included Cork Gaines from Rays Index suggesting that he will be nothing more than an insurance policy for Luke Scott.

If you take a look at his numbers over his career it is clear that signing him makes absolute sense for the franchise. His numbers over his career show strengths in his game that would bring a lot of value to the team. In the event it doesn't work out they are only on the hook for a minor-league deal.

Here are five reasons he could be a pivotal contributor to a postseason run for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012.

Dome Sweet Dome

Hideki Matsui has always made himself at home at Tropicana Field.

Over his career he has a .297 average with a.385 on-base percentage and 10 home runs over his career at Tropicana Field. The oft-criticized dome could be the perfect home for Matsui as his career gets closer to retirement with each day.

World Series Experience

Hideki Matsui would be no stranger to big moments. Matsui was the MVP of the 2009 World Series as a member of the New York Yankees.

Having a player that is used to the clutch moments on the roster going into the postseason could prove very valuable for the Tampa Bay Rays as they look to progress into the postseason for the fourth time in five seasons.

Ironically, the one season the Rays missed the postseason since 2008 was 2009.

He Is Good Late in the Season

Hideki Matsui's production doesn't taper off as the season goes on.

Over the course of his career September and October rank as two of his best months of production. His career .289 average and .378 on-base percentage in the final months of the season would be a welcome addition to a team that's offense historically could use some help.

Consistency with Runners in Scoring Position

Get the man in.

That is the motto for the Tampa Bay Rays when it comes to batting with runners in scoring position. Unfortunately for the Rays the team hasn't always lived up to the motto. Last season the Rays were 28th in the majors with a .224 batting average with RISP.

Hideki Matsui gets the man in.

Over his career Matsui has a .298 batting average and .382 on-base percentage with runners in scoring position. In clutch situations when faced with two outs he still has a .262 average and .365 on-base percentage.

Luke Scott Insurance Policy

There is some merit to the thought process that Hideki Matsui is simply an insurance policy.

Even if he is nothing more than an insurance policy for Luke Scott the Tampa Bay Rays could sure use one. Scott entered the season with question marks on his durability following the season-ending shoulder surgery he had as a member of the Baltimore Orioles in 2011.

On the third game of this season Scott left the game early with a mild hamstring strain. In his absence the team was short handed looking for a replacement.

While second baseman Jeff Keppinger has rotated with Scott as the team's DH four times this season, it's slim pickings after him. They tried spring training standout Stephen Vogt but after 13 at-bats he was reassigned to the minors still searching for his first hit in the majors.

In the event there is a late season injury to Scott it sure wouldn't hurt to have an established player waiting in the minors to come in when the team would need him most.