Hideki Matsui has spent the last week in his Manhattan apartment, waiting like everyone else for Joe Torre to speak publicly for the first time since the Yankees were eliminated from the postseason Monday. Matsui, however, has a vested interest in what Torre says. The leftfielder told the Japanese publication Sankei Sports last week that Torre's future with the Yankees will play a role in whether he decides to re-sign with the club or head elsewhere. "I want Joe to stay as Yankees manager," Matsui said. "I respect him not only as the manager but also as a human being. I feel very comfortable playing baseball under Joe. "Yes, it will be one of the factors when I think about my new contract," Matsui added. "Of course, it is important who the manager is."