http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/29/SP721LB044.DTL A's will open 2012 season in Tokyo against Seattle Susan Slusser, Chronicle Staff Writer For the second time in five years, the A's will open the regular season in Tokyo late next March, and that announcement Wednesday led to an immediate follow-up question: Will the A's bring back free-agent designated hitter Hideki Matsui, one of the two great Japanese position players to come to the big leagues? The Tokyo series already will feature the other, Seattle outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, and a matchup of the stars would be a significant event in Japan. "Certainly, Major League Baseball would be very happy if we brought him back," A's team president Michael Crowley said with a bit of a chuckle Wednesday. "Ichrio and Matsui would be a good thing for everyone." That doesn't necessarily mean that Matsui is guaranteed to return, especially given that the team's offseason spending will depend on getting a stadium decision from MLB. Still, one team official said Wednesday, "He's the one free agent we'd seriously consider, for a number of reasons." Matsui told The Chronicle earlier this week that he definitely wants to play another year in the big leagues, and he likes Oakland and his teammates. He and manager Bob Melvin have hit it off, and when asked if he'd like to have Matsui with the team in Tokyo, Melvin responded, "That's a natural, obviously, with what he's accomplished and with Ichiro on the other side. You just never know. It's a two-way street. With him, too, he's going to get offers elsewhere." Matsui couched his answers about the Japan trip by emphasizing "in the event I'm a part of that," but, he said through interpreter Roger Kahlon that he knows there would be major interest in a showdown with Ichiro. "I think there would be a lot of fans who would look forward to seeing that meeting," said Matsui, whose home stadium in Japan was the Tokyo Dome. "But that's separate from my opinion. We'll see what happens." The March 28-29 games will come off Oakland's home schedule, giving the A's off days on April 8 and July 5. Players will receive additional compensation for the trip based on a percentage of the revenue. The A's also will play two exhibition games against Japanese teams, as they did when they opened the 2008 season there. "I think it's perfect," Crowley said. "We had a terrific time last time, the people there were great. There wasn't one guy who wouldn't go back. It's a great thing for the ballclub." --

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