The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. - Hideki Matsui hit six homers in 67 swings Tuesday during his first live batting practice session with the New York Yankees.

With about six dozen members of the Japanese media watching at New York's minor-league complex, Matsui went deep for the first time on his 32nd swing.

The three-time MVP of Japan's Pacific League also met several of his new teammates. He was in a hitting group with Derek Jeter, Alfonso Soriano and Jorge Posada, who were on hand for early workouts ahead of Sunday's reporting date for position players.

"I think they are nice guys," Matsui said through an interpreter. "We talked about hitting."

Two of Matsui's homers went more than 400 feet.

"It's tough to decide in only one day," Posada said. "His bat - when he swings, he's got a lot of topspin. It carries. The ball keeps going and going."

Matsui, nicknamed Godzilla, signed a $21 million, three-year contract during the offseason after becoming a free agent in Japan. He wore a T-shirt and Yankees shorts during the workout.

"It's exciting," Matsui said. "A lot of famous players wear the Yankees' uniform. The Yankees' uniform is historical. I'm proud of the Yankee uniform."

Matsui arrived in Florida on Monday after spending a week in New York. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman accompanied him on the flight.

"It looks like he has a good swing," Jeter said. "Good guy. They signed him for a reason. Obviously he can play."

Matsui also took part in fielding drills during his two-hour workout.

"I have a little pressure, but I think baseball is the same in Japan and the United States," Matsui said. "I didn't play with American pitchers. I have to pick up (on) American pitchers."

ARBITRATION UPDATE: Florida left-hander Mark Redman became the first player to win in salary arbitration this year. He was given a raise from $300,000 to $2.15 million, instead of the $1.8 million salary the Marlins had argued for.

Redman, 29, went 8-15 with a 4.21 ERA in 30 starts for Detroit last season, pitching a team-high 203 innings. He was dealt by the Tigers, along with minor-league right-hander Jerrod Fuell, on Jan.11 for right-hander Gary Knotts and minor-league left-handers Nate Robertson and Rob Henkel.

Owners are 2-1 in salary arbitration this year, but 13 players remain in arbitration, with hearings scheduled through Feb.20.

PIRATES: First baseman Randall Simon avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $1,475,000. Acquired from Detroit Nov.25, he had filed for $1.85 million; the Pirates had offered $1.3 million.

Simon, 27, made $285,000 last year, when he was voted as the Tigers' MVP after leading them with 19 homers, 82 RBI and a .459 slugging percentage.

EXPOS: Pitcher Orlando Hernandez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.1 million deal. Hernandez, acquired from the Yankees on Jan.15, had asked for a raise from $3.2 million to $4.5million; Montreal had offered $4million.

Hernandez, 37, struggled with injuries last year, going 8-5 with a 3.64 ERA and one save in 22 starts and two relief appearances for New York. He would make bonuses of $20,000 each for 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 starts, and for 160, 175, 190, 200 and 210 innings.

PHILLIES: Terry Adams agreed to a one-year, $2.9 million contract and avoided arbitration. He was 7-9 with a 4.35 ERA in 46 appearances for Philadelphia last season, beginning it as a starter before moving to the bullpen.

ORIOLES: Former 20-game winner Rick Helling signed a minor-league contract with Baltimore. The 32-year-old right-hander, who went 10-12 with a 4.51 ERA last season for Arizona. will make $1 million if he makes the opening-day roster.