The curious case of Johnny Damon
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jan 02, 2010 
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Still out there, lingering in free agency, Johnny Damon remains available. Question is, do you and the Yankees want him back? At what cost?
At this point, Damon’s not necessary for the No. 2 spot in the lineup. Maybe you would prefer Damon over Nick Johnson – better speed and power vs. higher on-base percentage — but the Yankees clearly don’t need a No. 2 hitter the way they did a month ago. Also at this point, Damon would be a defensive downgrade in left field. Maybe it’s worth it for the offensive improvement, but his outfield defense is worth taking into account.
That said, adding Damon (whatever it meant for the batting order itself) would make this Yankees lineup pretty impressive. That’s also worth taking into account.
Part of the trick with Damon is that his market might not be set just yet. When Matt Holliday finally signs, Damon will become the top free agent outfielder. He might become the top available position player depending on your expectations for Adrian Beltre and Miguel Tejada. There’s some power in that, and Damon might not have to lower his contract expectations enough to fit within the Yankees budget.
I’ll be surprised if Damon ends up back in pinstripes. What about you? Is Damon out of the picture, or could he linger long enough for the Yankees to bring him back?
BRING BACK DAMON!!! Johnson will clog the bases…
If damon comes back, what does the lineup look like?
Jeter
Damon
Teixeira
Rodriguez
Posada
Johnson
Granderson
Cano
That’s a complete guess and I put no thought into it.
Swisher
I could see him coming back to the Yankees for a year and 8 Million.
Damon’s defense isn’t as godawful as people are making it out to be. Sure he throws like a girl but Gritty Gutty’s popgun of an arm is no better. He could play on roller skates (and often looks like he does) and his offense will still greatly out value any marginal plus Gardner’s range provides.
We’re a weaker team without his proven bat. Stop with the penny-pinching nonsense.
Will i be surprised if Damon ends up in the Bronx again?
absolutely not. matter of fact…i would consider it an upset if he didn’t.
the yankees can run their mouths all they want about budgets and youth and flexibility.
the yankees are notorious liars. Especially, but not limited to, Brian Cashman. So when someone in the yankees org. says “we’re not gettin (fill in blank)” I assume the exact opposite.
Johnny will always chase the money…he left Boston for New York. I don’t think the Yankees will offer him the best deal so I doubt he’ll be back.
I want Damon to come back. Hopefully they can work something out.
Mick, I’d like to see a Johnson/Swisher 8-9 in that lineup. Pitchers would have to throw about 12 pitches just to get through them.
since he’s a curious case maybe that means he will get younger after he signs..
I think Damon goes to the team that offers him the most money too which means a two year contract that the Yankees won’t offer him.
I don’t consider Johnson a full-time option. He gets hurt so often that adding a hitter of Damon’s caliber isn’t entirely a luxury.
He’s not coming back.
Where does Damon fit? There are not many spots left open for him…
Maybe Seattle?
They could split LF/DH role with him and Bradley.
Go Johnny Go …please!
Besides Holliday Damon is the best outfielder that’s still available as a free agent. If he would accept a one year deal for 5-8 million then he makes the Yankees a better team..my concern as some have mentioned would be that he may be unhappy with his paycut..
Damon doesn’t get hurt so much as he deals with aches and pains and those calves that cramp up on him in extreme weather.
He still can cover ground in the outfield; he maintains that his defense got better at YS in the latter half of the year, once he got used to it. I don’t really know. The plays that stand out, unfortunately, are the “adventurous” ones and I don’t know when they mainly happened – first half, second half, or throughout. His arm is not good.
But he really still is/can be an offensive force.
And the Yankees have made no secret of the fact that they value Damon as a teammate, a good person to have in their clubhouse and in their organization. I think Damon expected to be compensated for that particular value by the Yankees, and it doesn’t look like that’s happening, unless offering a contract at all can be perceived as appreciation for his “intangibles.”
With Damon, it most assuredly will come down to where he can get the better deal. I don’t really believe there are any hard feelings here; anything I’ve read from Damon seems to indicate to me that he understands the business/budgets of baseball. Not to say he’s not disappointed in some way. I have no idea if he can deal with a pay cut from the Yankees, vs. a new deal from another team that amounts to a pay cut but can be spun into having gotten a great deal at this time in his career. It’s an interesting dilemma.
I wouldn’t totally discount Damon coming back, but I’m getting ready for his departure.
Damon will follow the money. I hope he counts it and then ask himself, if it was worth what he lost, his legacy!
‘petty pinching nonsense’? Intelligent post that.
I’d say the Yank’s lineup as is is still the most potent in MLB: Jeter/Johnson/Tex/Arod/Po/Granderson/Cano/Swisher/Gardner is just fine.
Johnson ‘clogging’ the bases? Damn, people – someone please write something intelligent.
Also, I think the more “curious” case is, what happened to those multiple, multi-year deals that Michelle Damon talked about a month or so ago??
1 yr deal at 6.5M with a club option for ’11. Incentives (including a no sulking clause)that if met could net him 10M.
I love that the Yankees don’t pin all their hopes on one player, like some other clubs. The Yankees don’t need Damon but could use his bat in the line up.
Cardinals want to appease a player and a coach, and will regret getting in bed with the demon seed (Boras,) with their budget restrictions.
I’d say Damon eventually returns to the Yankees, on their terms of course. A line up of:
Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Nick Johnson DH
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Curtis Granderson CF
NicK Swisher RF
is NUTS
I might be wrong here but the longer he sits & waits for someone to come along & sign him the better the chance it will be the Yankees…
“Damon’s defense isn’t as godawful as people are making it out to be. Sure he throws like a girl but Gritty Gutty’s popgun of an arm is no better. He could play on roller skates (and often looks like he does) and his offense will still greatly out value any marginal plus Gardner’s range provides.”
Could not be more wrong. Damon’s UZR/150 in 2009 was -12.1. That is more than awful. That makes him one of the worst fielders in the league. Brett Gardner’s was +15, making him one of the better outfielders in the league. By comparison, the best in the league (by far), Franklin Gutierrez, had an UZR/150 of +27. So overall, if you want to account for offense and defense, Damon’s WAR (wins above replacement) was 3.0. Brett Gardner’s was 2.1. Then, looking at projections, Damon’s fielding and batting is only going to get worse, while Gardner’s fielding should be markedly improved with more playing time, as well as his plate discipline.
I don’t begrudge anyone who takes the highest money. Baseball isn’t a charity. That said, I hope Damon returns. His defense is weak but he’s still a great offensive players and, as that double steal in the World Series shows, still has great instincts. Right now, I think the team is roughly equivalent to last year’s club. Damon’s return would make it better, at least on paper.
Every time I think of Damon’s fielding, it reminds me of that play during the year when there was a short fly to left. The guy at third tagged and Damon threw the ball straight into the ground about 10 feet in front of him and rolled slowly to the pitcher’s mound. It was pretty embarrassing, to say the least…
Doreen – Ain’t it Just “Grand”? January 2nd, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Also, I think the more “curious” case is, what happened to those multiple, multi-year deals that Michelle Damon talked about a month or so ago??
================================
Where did she say that?
Love Johnny Damon… his odd batting style I think get him hits that others don’t get. And that heads-up play in the WS will forever be remembered.
STILL! I really would like to see what Gardner can do. I think we’ve all undervalued him. His 2009 numbers really aren’t too bad. I like his D and everyone has to like his grit.
I like rooting for kids. Now that there’s no AJax coming, the 2010 Yanks offensive youth is going to be pretty meager. Backup catcher, 5th infielder… Colin Curtis… maybe? Give me Gardner!
Doreen
I’ll bet that’s what motivated Cashman to move quickly, to show him two can play that game.
When Cashman signed Granderson Boras was still saying how much the Yankees NEEDED Damon .
I couldn’t stop laughing, because they (Damon,Boras) were slapped back to reality. I fault Boras for not reading what happened to Abreu last year, and adjusting to this year’s marke
edit: meant Market
I thought Damon became a wrestler – I swear he sucks with a microphone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD5VapGUVN4
blake January 2nd, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Besides Holliday Damon is the best outfielder that’s still available as a free agent. If he would accept a one year deal for 5-8 million then he makes the Yankees a better team..my concern as some have mentioned would be that he may be unhappy with his paycut..
—————————————————-
unhappy with 5-8 mil …if it could only happen to me
I believe he signs with the Yankees, then we have to watch him play that LF position which was very hard to watch
CD January 2nd, 2010 at 1:37 pm
I thought Damon became a wrestler – I swear he sucks with a microphone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD5VapGUVN4
———————————-
Damon knows what he wants to say when speaking but he has a hard time saying it
The signing of Nick J. has removed Damon from picture, with finality. It is quite probable that the decision to not bring him back was made during the season when it was apparent that his defensive shortcomings were of such malgnitude that Cash and Girardi simply could not envision him in Pinstripes other than as a DH….with that position now adequately filled, it seems implausible to believe he could return.
Lauren
I know you asked Doreen, but I read Mrs Damon’s quote in Newsday to KEN Davidoff
Johnny himself at http://www.i-yankees.com/?p11626 saying he doesn’t want a 2 yr deal. Nov 25, 2009
I was hoping he would be the full-time DH, still able to play OF in a pinch and only Matsui would not be brought back but, that ship has sailed so, Thank You Johnny and Good Luck.
Johnny is pretty much out of options with teams possibly interested in talking to Scott Boras. The agent won’t budge and the Yankee budget is supposedly set.
Johnny doesn’t seem like a west coast guy and NL teams will see him as a weakness in the outfield.
The economic conditions in Detroit, Cleveland, and Kansas City can’t or won’t cave in to Boras. Both Chicago teams have made their moves.
Even if he tells Boras that he wants to accept a low offer for 1-year with the Yankees, the question will always come up on this board when he has an 0-4 day whether he’s bitter over taking such a drastic cut.
It’s a quagmire but Cashman wants to make a decision sooner than later.
Boras had better get moving with Holliday because he’s got other clients to be concerned with.
Lauren -
I can’t find the exact quote, but she did say that they had several teams interested.
Bring Damon back in here and most of the leagues starters will be gone by the end of 5. Id say that would be impressive.
If Johnny were smart he should’ve taken a year like Andy does. If you stay at or above your avg, the Yankees will bring you back. He tried to strong arm the Yankees, and lost out.
Boras did his client an injustice, with bad advice.
Last year the decision was made NOT to bring Abreu back. One can speculate as to the reasons why. His defensive efforts, including his wall-shy tendencies, quite possibly were a turn-off to Girardi who prides himself on fielding a team that stresses excellent defense. There might also have been other reasons which have been bandied about.
Damon’s situation appears quite similar apart from his then-possible return as a DH. I don’t think anyone who knows one whit about baseball and watched the Yankees extensively during the season can conclude that his fielding was anything other than grossly inadequate.
I’m in agreement with you on this Jennifer.
Let’s not overlook the importance that Cashman and the current Yankee regime have placed on locker room morale, winning attitude and the ability to mesh with your team mates. This is where Damon has an advantage over all the other names mentioned imo.
Wasn’t it Michele Damon who reached out to Amber Sabathia when the Yankees were trying to sign CC? Johnny and his wife are part of the Yankee community.
For all of those reasons I’ve always felt that the Yankees would try to get Damon back for just one season.
Red Sox Smoochie Verducci actually said something unbiased the other day.
He was upset that Jorge was the decade’s 3rd best catcher behind IROD and Mauer or Piazza, I forget which.
Verducci was adamant that Jorge was the decade’s best catcher, as his stats were better.
I have a different argument. As a catcher, shouldn’t durability and longevity count towards HOF criteria?
Assuming that durability counts for catchers (considering it is among the top 2 most difficult positions to sustain), is Jorge a HOF candidate?
With 1 more good year as Catcher and 1 more in 2011 as DH, does he then become a viable candidate?
No to Jorge. I like Tom Verducci as a writer and I don’t think he’s bias against the Yankees.
It ain’t over till….you know.
This time last year, we thought Pettitte was gone, after rejecting the Yankee contract offer. But he came back, so let’s just wait this out.
Personally, I think Damon’s gone, but if he gets resigned, I won’t be shocked. Surprised, a little, but not shocked.
I’m also going to say no to Jorge.
I would agree Jorge has put up better offensive numbers then IRod in the past decade, however he doesn’t belong in the same conversation with IRod when it comes to defense.
Since the award began, I believe IRod has more gold gloves then any catcher ever, including Johnny Bench.
However he must come at the right price and with the right attitude. Up until now I never would have said attitude but if he returns to the Yankees his contract will be at a much lower value and a much lesser length than he thought he would receive. Will he gracefully accept that and his new place (fewer games in LF) within the team? If he can then the other part of the Damon equation is value and based on what I read it looks like the maximum the Yankees have available is $5 million (and that assumes they trade either Mitre or Gaudin).
If the Yankees really want him back maybe they would add incentive clauses and possibly a mutual buy out option. But my guess would be that the most he would get would be $7 million (where can I sign up?) and a strong likelihood that the Yankees buy out the second year. This type of contract allows Damon to return with his dignity intact and gives the Yankees a bat that they could use as well as a part time outfielder.
If I were the Yankees I would do a deal like this and I am no longer a huge Damon fan due to his obvious limited defensive skills. But I would still do the deal. Would Damon? Only if there is not a better deal out there for him would be my guess. This means that the Yankees will continue to wait for the market to come to them. Cashman positioned the Yankees extremely well and in my opinion they can afford to wait. I believe that is what is happening now and will continue to happen until such time as the Yankees are presented with a more attractive option or Damon finds a new club that will come closer to his dollar and contract length.
I for one am very concerned about putting Johnson in the No. 2 slot – regardless of whether Damon is the guy or not. I just don’t get this idea that his high OBP makes him a No. 2 hitter.
Johnson won’t be able to go from first to third on singles to right, won’t be able to score from first on a double, and might not even be able to score from second on a single to left. (Unless someone can cite his stats from the ‘Nats to contradict this.)
He may get on base aplenty, but we will need an extra hit or an extra out (groundout or sac) to score him, so how many runs might he cost us?
Indeed, can someone out there who knows the game cite any stats on a playoff-caliber team that has put one of their slowest players in one of the top two slots? Boston has Pedroia and Ellsbury, the Angels will have Aybar and Izturis, Seattle will have Ichiro and Figgins. and we may have Jeter and Johnson?
The team is better with Damon in that slot and everyone, including Cashman who said it, knows it. For half of what he got last year, on a one-year deal, even with incentives, the problem of figuring out where to play him would be a nice problem to have.
And by the way, this is IF Johnson stays healthy. i hope he does, but if he doesn’t, how many of us would wish we had Johnny then?
ariel
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:40 pm
The signing of Nick J. has removed Damon from picture, with finality. It is quite probable that the decision to not bring him back was made during the season when it was apparent that his defensive shortcomings were of such malgnitude that Cash and Girardi simply could not envision him in Pinstripes other than as a DH….with that position now adequately filled, it seems implausible to believe he could return.
—
I’LL HAVE YOU ARRESTED FOR INVASION OF PRIVACY.
(That outta teach ya to stop tapping into people’s phones)
Here is the full text (some of it got clipped):
The only info I have comes from what I see and what I read.
I agree that the Yankees no longer NEED Damon but I believe he could still be useful. However he must come at the right price and with the right attitude. Up until now I never would have said attitude but if he returns to the Yankees his contract will be at a much lower value and a much lesser length than he thought he would receive. Will he gracefully accept that and his new place (fewer games in LF) within the team? If he can then the other part of the Damon equation is value and based on what I read it looks like the maximum the Yankees have available is $5 million (and that assumes they trade either Mitre or Gaudin).
If the Yankees really want him back maybe they would add incentive clauses and possibly a mutual buy out option. But my guess would be that the most he would get would be $7 million (where can I sign up?) and a strong likelihood that the Yankees buy out the second year. This type of contract allows Damon to return with his dignity intact and gives the Yankees a bat that they could use as well as a part time outfielder.
If I were the Yankees I would do a deal like this and I am no longer a huge Damon fan due to his obvious limited defensive skills. But I would still do the deal. Would Damon? Only if there is not a better deal out there for him would be my guess. This means that the Yankees will continue to wait for the market to come to them. Cashman positioned the Yankees extremely well and in my opinion they can afford to wait. I believe that is what is happening now and will continue to happen until such time as the Yankees are presented with a more attractive option or Damon finds a new club that will come closer to his dollar and contract length.
Yankees tried ti get Damon back for 1 season, he’s pig headed and said he wants 3 at the off market price of 13mm per.
Cashman also said Nick Swisher provided a lot of positives to the club house fun. The team can’t evolve around Damon evah!
He’s 36 and diminished defense with good offense, Cashman was fair to price him lower, he’s not all that.
And one more thing my friends,
The New York Yankees and Johnny Damon are PARTING WAYS.
I do not think Damon will be back. He will chase the money, because he already has the rings, so, staying with the Yankees for a chance to play in another WS will not be as appealing as a bigger pay check. If he lowers his demands, maybe the Yankees sign him, but, I doubt it. Matt Holliday is the man for LF, but Cashman will not add his contract to this team.
“The New York Yankees and Johnny Damon are PARTING WAYS.”
I could believe it if we hadn’t been at this juncture before.
How soon some forget.
Alex, Andy’s contract last season wasn’t exactly smooth sailing, and let’s not forget the acrimony exhibited before Mariano re-upped the last time.
Damon is gone folks…move on
Thank goodness Cashman operates without being emotional. It’s nothing personal just business.
Brian Cashman once said he had no problem with Bubba Crosby being the CF. Few people believed it and or course, it didn’t happen.
This time he may be serious about Gardner and a yet to be named player in LF.
It would seem that for the sake of better balance, a true RH hitter would be the platoon piece of LF.
The team has the Captain and A-Rod as the everyday RH hitters. Nick Johnson, Cano, Granderson, and Gardner are LH hitters. Teixeira, Swisher, and Posada are switch hitters.
When Cervelli spells Posada he’s a RH hitter. Ramiro Pena is a switch hitter and Kevin Russo is a RH hitter.
Chad, the Yankees lineup isn’t impressive now?
This team will be absolutely fine chemistry-wise whether or not Damon returns…….
The way I see it, there are three issues:
1) Would Damon accept a one year deal at a significant paycut in order keep Yankee payroll at or below their supposed budget and give them the financial freedom they need in 2011?
2) Does Cash think that Damon could mentally accept that contract without letting affect him?
I think the chances of both happening about about 5%.
I think that Johnny will extend a hand to Cashman and the Yankees and accept a deal for one year for less $$.
His options are fast drying up. He has to make it worthwhile for the Yankees, he is in a corner that he has painted himself into.
Thought I’d just say it:
Miguel Tejada for LF.
No, he’s never played the position. But….could he? Sure. Platoon with Gardy and otherwise be a super sub.
And he can still hit. No more juicy 30+ homerun seasons. But he hit .300+ last year, again.
Would he humble himself and accept a big salary cut? Who knows?
The Yankees wanted Damon to be their DH in 2010, with his increased power at YS, his ability to work the count, & the fact that he could still run pretty well. They only wanted him to play the outfield about 40-45 games.
To bring him back as the every day LF’er would be a stretch. His OF defense is weak and his arm is just terrible. Base runners go from 1st to 3rd base on singles thru the hole that are right at him in LF. That just cannot happen to a MLB outfielder.
That said, if he were to accept a 1 yr. deal for 6-7 $mil. then his bat & his clubhouse presence would be worth bringing him back & having Gardner replace him late in games for defense.
However, Damon is all about the $$$, if another club offers him just a bit more he will go to that club. I doubt you will see him again in pinstripes unless no one is willing to give him the $ he wants or is willing to settle for.
Would still like to put in a last minute pitch for Matt Holliday even though there is that alleged cap. (Like since when have they ever really had a cap?!). 6 x $17.5mil fulfills Boras boast (even though you hate to give this guy anything but ice cubes in the winter!).
Matt is the best option available for left field – period.
Damon put in his time and though he can peak in a salary drive year, he’s cooked. Besides, no one is really going to miss that bucket brigade that they have to use to bring the ball in from left when Johnny’s out there.
The main focus for this winter was supposed to be pitching.
Outside of Vasquez (who may or may not show up for a full season this time), the next best alternative for an upgrade is through the offense and defense – a productive hitter to play left field.
If Damon came back.. Johnson should go either 3rd or 9th in the order.. Those are the only spots that make sense for a guy with no power and high obp.
Or you could stick Damon 9th but would his ego be able to handle a pay cut and a demotion? I don’t know.
I think Damon will eventually return. Everybody said Andy Pettitte wasn’t coming back because he wanted more money, but I could have sworn he came back last season. I think he and the Yankees are going to work something out once Damon comes to his senses and realizes he’s not a $20 million outfielder. He’ll probably take a 1-year, $7 or $8 million deal with an option for 2011.
Then a lineup of:
Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jorge Posada C
Nick Johnson DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Curtis Granderson CF
Nick Swisher RF
WOULD BE SICK!!! I personally want Damon back, and when pitchers and catchers report February 8th, Damon will be back in a Yankee uniform.
E-gawa,
Nick Johnson 3rd? What about that guy named Mark Teixiera? Where would you stick him?
“Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jorge Posada C
Nick Johnson DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Curtis Granderson CF
Nick Swisher RF”
That would definitely be a sick lineup, but I think I would switch Granderson and Swisher because you don’t want our worst OBP guys hitting back to back, and Granderson batting ninth would be like a second leadoff hitter.
We are all guessing when it comes to the $$$ and there’s no real way to know what the Yanks are considering.
If they add a player for LF is really should be a RH hitter to bring more balance to the lineup.
I don’t like the idea of a Cervelli, Pena, Russo, Hoffman bench. That’s unbelievably weak and an older team needs more proven performers in reserve.
Also with four established high inning starters they can carry an extra position player instead of 12 pitchers. they can probably get Hairston and Thames for the bench for less than half what it would take for Damon.
If NJ is too slow (and I think he is) I would hit Granderson # 2 against RHP and Swisher there against LHP.
Johnny’s defense in left field, by many stats/measures, was exactly average.
so average D, and above average hitting and speed? fine with me.
the problems occur if/when you consider that he’s getting older and expected to decline somewhat.
on a 1-2 yr deal, its unlikely we’d see considerable decline.
even with marginal decline, he’s still worth $6-8M/year.
My vote is to bring Bring Reed Johnson in for a one year contract …good OFer and plays hard….will give you decent numbers with enough AB’s
don’t want Damon back.
thank you for taking my vote
I just saw Johnny Damon eating a Hostess fruit pie (fattening!) in the men’s washroom of the Mister Steak truck stop outside of London,Ontario. He says he wants to be a Yankee.
Scott Boras has always overvalued his clients. With Damon it goes back to October during the ALCS.
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....damon.html
He now figures that Adrian Beltre can put up Jason Bay type numbers. That must be music to Boston’s ears.
“I don’t like the idea of a Cervelli, Pena, Russo, Hoffman bench. That’s unbelievably weak and an older team needs more proven performers in reserve.”
The only truly old position player is Posada. Cervelli is probably better than Molina offensively and defensively, but neither would be a good backup for a prolonged period if Posada got hurt.
The next oldest players like Alex and Derek are so good, that no matter who you have as a backup, the dropoff is huge.
there are wayy to many impact bats on the market:
matt holliday
adrian beltre
tejada
and not enough teams. Johnny Damon is about to lose in a game of musical chairs. The music is stopped
2009 bobby abreu 1 year/5 million. Holla
Matt Holiday is not coming to the Yankees. This team does not need an “all-star” at every position. I hope they do not sign Damon – his defense is mediocre at best. I would take my chances with Gardner and try and pick someone at the trading deadline if the team needs a bit of extra pop.
There is so much talk about how bad Damon is on defense — mostly from those quoting the infamous UZR/150 stat. This stat is significantly flawed for starts. Using that stat, Ellbury is one of the worst fielders in baseball — really? I hate the Sox, but I can’t even say that.
Sure, Damon is not the best fielding option in LF, but he adds so much offensively that we should overlook that. Gardner can come in late for defense if we need him and to keep Damon fresh.
The lineup would be simply nasty with Damon in it. Granderson would be the #9 hitter, putting speed at the top and bottom of the order. Try pitching to this lineup:
Jeter
Damon
Texeira
AROD
Posada
Cano
Johnson
Swisher
Granderson
JUST NASTY…
Could Miranda be traded with Johnson on this team who can play 1B when Texiera get’s a day off..?
Gaudin+Miranda+B Prospect(??)should get Dejesus,right?
“I just saw Johnny Damon eating a Hostess fruit pie (fattening!) in the men’s washroom of the Mister Steak truck stop outside of London,Ontario”
——————————————–
i believe you. No one would make up a story being in London Ontario. What a God-forsaken place. London, Windsor, Hamilton, and the rest of ontario province.
ugly.
Johnny understands the business side of baseball as well as anyone.
This isn’t his first rodeo dealing with free agency and if he was able to walk away from the Sox for more $$$ with what he represented to that franchise, walking away from the Yanks if he can get more $$$ would likely be a no brainer.
Cashman understood that when he made the decisions he did.
” This team does not need an “all-star” at every position.”
They don’t have an all-star at every position now.
I really don’t understand why some people think the goal is to field a team that isn’t as good as it could be.
“This isn’t his first rodeo dealing with free agency and if he was able to walk away from the Sox for more $$$ with what he represented to that franchise, walking away from the Yanks if he can get more $$$ would likely be a no brainer”
————————————————
it’s no longer 2002.
welcome to 2010.
Vinny,
Indeed. But that St. Clair area is bizarrely beautiful, with the ferry that goes across the river to Marine City, MI in the US.
JD was with the fam and heading to a B and B in Sarnia, so at least he’s not staying in nowheresville.
2009 OPS+
Damon 126
Melky 99
Reed Johnson 89
Randy Winn 75
If there were a good RH bat available (other than Holliday) who could play a plausible LF in YS, sure, that would be ideal. But I don’t see that person on the market. A Reed Johnson platoon that has Gardner playing 75 % of the time doesn’t strike me as a plausible option either, By default, Johnny looks pretty good.
“This isn’t his first rodeo dealing with free agency”
This first rodeo analogy is gaining a lot of currency here.
That said, if he is so inured to the business side of baseball, it’s kind of curious that, according to reports, he is supposedly insulted by the Yankees’ decision to offer him a paycut.
“Everybody said Andy Pettitte wasn’t coming back…”
Your usage of ‘everybody’ is suspect.
“Reed Johnson 89″
His tOPS+ v. LHP in 2009 was 144.
I still don’t want him.
“Indeed. But that St. Clair area is bizarrely beautiful, with the ferry that goes across the river to Marine City, MI in the US”
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what-up trucker man: Kewl. I have never checked ST Claire shores. Toronto is nice too
LOL @ http://media.photobucket.com/i.....2.jpg?o=26
Rich in NJ,
Because they think baseball is fair, baseball should be fair, the Yankees do not have the money to spend, or the less All Stars at positions we have the less the media might mention us “buying” championships (which is never gonna happen).
vinny b
That’s why I said “if he can get more $$$”.
Once the Yanks didn’t offer Johnny arbitration, he knew what the deal was.
What is peculiar is that Yankees continue to say that there is only so much money left in the “budget”, yet they are considering signing Aroldis Chapman.
So if they are able to re-allocate money to sign Chapman, then why cant they do the same thing with spending a little more money to bring Johnny Damon back?
Personally, I dont think the issue with the Yankees and Damon is the money … I think if the Yankees can have Damon agree to a one-year, incentive-laden contract (similar to what Andy Pettitte signed for last year), then they would bring him back.
I dont think the Yankees want to go more than 1 year with Damon because of the options available next off-season to add a big corner outfield bat via free agency – i.e. Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth.
ok pat. misuderstood what you had typed
It’s rather easy to win NBA titles as the Celtics did, when there are 6 teams in the NBA, you’ve got Bill Russell, and all 6 teams make the playoffs. There 17* titles should be asterisked the way the Yankees last 6 championships are asterisked for being “bought”
If we sign Damon, we virtually have the exact same team as last year.
We replace Matsui + Melky with Johnson + Granderson…
We replace Mitre with Vazquez…
Derek Jeter SS
Johnny Damon LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jorge Posada C
Nick Johnson DH
Curtis Granderson CF
Nick Swisher RF
Robinson Cano 2B
CC Sabathia
AJ Burnett
Javier Vazquez
Andy Pettitte
Phil Hughes/Joba Chamberlain
Damaso Marte
David Robertson
Mariano Rivera
Johnny is lucky he has this rodeo gig to fall back on if he can’t get another baseball contract.
“What is peculiar is that Yankees continue to say that there is only so much money left in the “budget”, yet they are considering signing Aroldis Chapman.”
Because Chapman would get a minor league contract, which is not luxury taxed.
“… according to reports, he is supposedly insulted by the Yankees’ decision to offer him a paycut.”
I haven’t read quotes from Johnny that he was insulted just other people saying he was insulted. The quote I saw from Johnny said he understood, enjoyed his time in NY and was now moving on.
Top twenty Yankee prospects:
http://www.minorleagueball.com.....-prospects
I wouldn’t mind having Gardner be our starting LF, but the problem I have is having our 4th OF be Jamie Hoffmann- that’s why I think we should get a solid bat like Damon, which would make Gardner our 4th OF= depth.
“Because Chapman would get a minor league contract, which is not luxury taxed.”
Yes, I know that, but they still will have to pay top dollar to get him and pay a huge chunk of it this year … either by salary or signing bonus.
So even though there isnt additional money being applied to the luxury tax, the Yankees are still agreeing to take a huge amount of money out their pockets to sign him.
“Johnny is lucky he has this rodeo gig to fall back on if he can’t get another baseball contract.”
Maybe not. Rodeo can be tough on the calves.
Well played!
CR9
“… the less the media might mention us “buying” championships (which is never gonna happen).”
Exactly, the RS do almost exactly what the Yankees but are given a pass.
The only reason I would like to see the payroll lowered is because I enjoy watching the prospects that I have followed become ML players.
Rich in NJ
Many people keep saying that there is little difference between a 100 win team and the extra 3 wins a guy like Holliday will get you.
What they fail to understand is that is just projections.
The projections do not take into account, I do not believe, injuries, and other things that cannot be accounted for.
I would imagine we were projected to be a 95 win team in 2008. We ended with something like 90 wins. Maybe the addition of 1 extra player would have changed things.
You put the best players on the field that you can, so that you have the best chance to win.
If we do not get Holliday because of financial flexibility and demanded length of contract, I understand that.
To be honest, I’m not really sold on Holliday; never really been a fan of his, but I also understand the concerns CB and others have brought up about Crawford’s legs.
Basically, Crawford is his speed. Without his speed and legs, he is nothing.
“I haven’t read quotes from Johnny that he was insulted just other people saying he was insulted. The quote I saw from Johnny said he understood, enjoyed his time in NY and was now moving on.”
I think someone here posted that they heard him on XM.
CR9
Yes, I posted something similar when Chad linked to that Fangraphs post.
I’m less concerned about Crawford’s legs than I am about his inconsistency with the bat.
That said, as much as I wanted him, I have never thought the Yankees would sign Holliday.
Sooooo ludicrous. Gotta love the comments. And they sang Sweet Caroline for the 1st time in 2010 at the Green Sardine Can.
http://bostonherald.com/sports.....038;cnum=5
There was a quote from his wife to that affect, too
If anyone wants to listen to Boras throw out his net on Damon and Holliday. He have an audio interview to the St Louis Globe-Democrat. HE never answers some of the questions, but is so full of what he’s selling. Click sport tab mid page, it’s classic Boras. He actually says Holliday is such an athlete, he could play for the NFL, a ONCE IN A LIFE TIME athlete. Ok you can throw up now!
http://www.globe-democrat.com
Rick
They, lead by that scumbag Denis Leary and his Boston scumbag buddy actor, sang Sweet Caroline…..
at the 8 minute mark in the 3rd period. They stopped the game before a faceoff to allow the 2 scumbags lead the crowd in it.
They basically took the Flyers out of their rhythm with that garbage.
Boston, cheating once again. Can’t say I’nm surprised.
“They, lead by that scumbag Denis Leary and his Boston scumbag buddy actor, sang Sweet Caroline…”
——————————————
lol
I would like to see the Yankees bring Damon back, Give him tWO years at 8 mil a year and laden it with incentives, Something like what Pettite recieved last year, It will be motivation for him coming back, AND PROVING HIS WORTH. If hE DECIDES HE DOES NOT WANT TO COME BACK, LETS SEE WHAT GARDNER OR HOFFMAN CAN DO,THEN IF THEY DON”T PLAN OUT GO GET A LF.
The thing that turned me from wanting Holliday was the 1st round Dodgers vs Cardinals.
When TORRE DECIDED TO NOT PITCH TO Pujols, it seemed to stun Holliday and he couldn’t hit.
The AL East is high pressure all the time, would he freeze behind Alex too?.
I also think he worked last offseason with McGwire, that’s too close to steroids for me. Yankees don’t need any more Roids talk.
SJ, CB…help…
And Sweet Caroline is also the NY Rangers song.
I know that Neil Diamond is a fan of the Red Sox, but I would not be surprised if the Red Sox stole it from the Rangers…
Boston is a bunch of thieves too.
Boston College or Boston University hockey team stole the “salute the crowd sticks in the air at center ice” from the NY Rangers, and then got credit for it by the ESPN commentators.
I love Damon and all but just remember guys. Carl Crawford in 2011.
CR9
Boston also stole the word Redsox “Nation” from the original Nation, Raider-Nation. Cardinals stole it too, Cardinal-Nation.
I won’t be surprised if Damon signs back with the Yanks (and it would certainly show how well Cashman again read the market – especially since I wanted him to offer Damon arbitration). But I am starting to feel like I would prefer to see it NOT happen.
I like their approach of waiting to sign the really exceptional players, keeping some degree of payroll flexibility and putting some extra money into signing top flight draftees or international free agents. For example, use the Damon money to up an offer Chapman…
Didn’t Ellisbury just win a (fan-based online) award as best defensive player in all the land? Yet his UZR rating is horrific.
All I’m saying is that Damon is a poor defender, but for a year, and with appropriate defensive substitutions, that’s ok. I just don’t think it will happen. Other options still out there: Xavier Nady, Reed Johnson (ugh!), David DeJesus, and more.
As far as the bench is concerned, again lots of options out there. We’ve got the kids: Pena, Cervelli, Russo, and then there are veterans still on the market: Jose Molina, Rod Barajas, Jerry Hairston, Jr., Adam Kennedy.
At this point Damon needs the Yankees. The reigning champs
haven’t signed him. Even the Sayanara kid (Matsui) secured a team, while Johnny is still waiting for a windfall signing on some nothing team. I personally hope he signs with the Giants, that field will show up his lack of defense.
“I love Damon and all but just remember guys. Carl Crawford in 2011.”
That just means we sign Damon to a one year deal with an option for the second year. After Crawford signs with us, Damon because the full time DH.
because = becomes
Carl Crawford is not a $15-17 mil a year player, and that’s what somebody will offer.
While I don’t think the Yankees need Johnny, it would be good to have him back.
I haven’t heard any other teams linked to him and I really don’t see him going to the NL.
“Didn’t Ellisbury just win a (fan-based online) award as best defensive player in all the land?”
Yes, but it was just all of Munchkin Land.
You guys, I don’t think trading for DeJesus is a good idea, as it would be confusing once Jesus Montero comes up to the big leagues. I think it’s always a little redundant and confusing when you have two players with similar names on the same roster. I was always confused by the Gerald Williams/ Bernie Williams thing, the Edgar/Tino Martinez combo, and even for that brief period, the Mariano/Ruben Rivera thing.
It would be nice if they could try to keep it a little simple for viewers, they trade guys around so much, the least they could do is try to vary the names a little.
It makes me very frustrated.
I did write to Brian Cashman about it, and while he never responded, maybe he took it into account when they traded Melky Cabrera? They do have a Melky rising through the farm system so maybe it was part of it.
Could be a Gardner/Sarnataro platoon in left
Or Sarnataro/Hoffman
No way we can live with Damon’s defense in left. We tried that in ’09 and the last thing we need is another season like that.
I also like the idea that Damon’s gonna fall apart physically but Nick Johnson’s a rock. Who cares that JD’s riding a 12-season streak of 600+ plate appearances? Nick’s reached that number exactly once in his career, which I guess means he should be well-rested.
Starting the year as currently constituted means not only a full season of an overmatched Gardner, but 3/4 of a season of Hoffman, or Hairston, or Curtis, or some other nobody. That’s unacceptable.
A team needs 6 legit major leaguers to cover the outfield, DH and 1B. One of your regulars (one if you’re very lucky) will miss significant time. Even with Damon, odds are we’ll be looking for a corner bat at the deadline.
Why do people insist on trying to calculate the finances for the team when no one on this site knows ANYTHING about what the budget is. No one knows what the emergency reserve is, what the minor league bduget is and so on. It’s just annoying and pointless.
They can afford anyone they choose to afford and all indications are they have decided to stop overpaying older players and don’t want too many long term contracts… thus Damon and Holliday have not been acquired.
Of the FA out there at low $$$ Marcus Thames makes the most sense to me. They need to add a RH bat, not LH.
I think Damon isn’t worth very much. When you factor in weak defense, the likely decline in both hitting and defense, and the absense of the New Yankee Stadium effect, he’s a so-so corner outfielder/DH. Also, even though he’s been healthy, age alone makes him more of an injury risk.
He could have gotten a 2-year $14 million deal from the Yanks. He probably could have negotiated as much as 2/16 or 2/18. Now, I think he’ll settle for one year at around $5 million, and not from the Yanks.
let’s lengthen the lineup a bit….
jeter
damon
nick j
tex
arod
posada
cano
swisher
granderson
I was ignorant enough to look up stats on ‘Sarnataro.’
%$#@! Offseason purgatory hath stricken me also…
Yankeeboy98
January 2nd, 2010 at 2:44 pm
E-gawa,
Nick Johnson 3rd? What about that guy named Mark Teixiera? Where would you stick him?
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4th and Arod 5th. The lineup just becomes deeper.
Johnny may have made the series changing play with the steals of 2nd and 3rd with one split-second decision. That to me is worth bringing him back. The guy won a championship with the Yanks. The lineup would be the most leathal lineup in all of baseball with him in it!
YES YES YES YES YES YES…
I’d love to see Damon return. I think he fits well in the clubhouse by keeping things loose. Not to mention, when he gets hot there aren’t too many hitters better.
If Damon comes back , the Yankees will have a great chance of winning no. 28
I would like Damon back. Is it a necessity? No its not. But if its for a one year deal they should do it. Johnny will realize his options are slim and none.
I’d like to see Johnny come back. His “bad defense” is mostly a weak throwing arm. Can’t that be improved upon with appropriate strength training? I know stats can point in any direction, but my gut and my heart would want him in that clubhouse. Hopefully they can get a deal done. Add some incentives to bring the number up.
I love Johnny but he has to realize he and his agent played themselves into this position. The Yankees never sign Johnson if he didnt have such demands. We will see what happens. If he moves on so be it.
Enough with Damon already. My 18 month old daughter throws better than he does. The guy played well for us. Time to move on. We are better with out him. Gardner in LF is just fine. Don’t need a superstar at every position.
I rather the LoHud write no column then mention his name again. Thanks.
Gardener isn’t good we need Damon
I love Johhny. But it is over. Gardner is good enough and if he can learn to keep slapping that ball down the third base line, “butcher boy style” he will be a 300 hitter. In fact I want to see Brett in the “2″ slot not Johnson for his speed. His upside is better than Melky.
DAMON WILL BE A YANKEE ONCE AGAIN BEFORE JANUARY IS OUT. I’M NEVER WRONG (apart from those times when I’m incorrect). But seriously….with that milquetoast arm of his and his aging legs, his propensity to run into the wall a la Brooklyn’s Pete Reiser, who’s gonna pay Boros’s price? The Yankees, that’s who. But really they won’t have to. Boros isn’t serious about his minimum. This is the quintessential Scott Boros used car salesman routine. We all know how it’s gonna go: right now, Brian Cashman and Derek Jeter are having lunch with Johnny at some swanky Tampa Bay latin fusion place, overlooking the Bay, watching the pelicans, drinking bloody Marys. Damon wants the Yankees. The Yankees want Damon. The difference this year is that they can make a case for not NEEDING Damon. That’s why Jeter and probably Tino Martinez are there with Cashman. It’s good cop, bad cop, folks, with the bad cop (Cashman) not being that bad a cop after all. Tino is there because he’s the most affable former Yankee, and he’s back on the payroll. Jeter is there because he’s the guru, and Damon likes that about Jeter. Cashman is there to sign him, and he probably won’t leave Florida until he does, no matter how many calls he gets from his wife. It all makes the winter bearable for us fans, so we shouldn’t complain. Especially because the Knicks are giving us nothing but a little spurt of energy right now. Brian…let’s get this done, Scott–get off your high horse. You’re gonna be too busy to go to St. Vincent or Puerta Vallarta this winter anyway. And most of all…Johnny, think about what it means to be a Yankee and to finish out your career along with that diamond stud of a year you had in 2004 up there with those nasty Southies. Be smart–make Brian think he needs you and don’t end up a bookend in San Diego for a year. And besides…your Bernie Williams act carries no weight–the guitar is not your backup, and broadcasting ain’t your thing because you talk like a stammering robot. We love you, Johnny, come on home, and give your ego a break.
Damon seems like a nice guy. But he is all about the money. If he had any real team feelings he would still be a Red Sox.