TAMPA, Fla. -- Jean Afterman was given the additional title of vice president of the New York Yankees on Tuesday following an offseason in which she spearheaded the push to sign Japanese star Hideki Matsui.

Afterman became the team's assistant general manager following the 2001 season.

"We have and continue to rely upon Jean's experience and guidance as we move forward with our international initiative," Yankees chief operating officer Lonn Trost said. "The globalization of the New York Yankees is, in part, evidenced by her expertise and work ethic which has proven to be an invaluable resource to our baseball operations department."

Before joining the Yankees, Afterman had worked for agent Don Nomura. She scouted Matsui last summer and was instrumental in the team's $21 million, three-year contract with the three-time MVP of Japan's Central League.