Johnny Damon’s four-year Yankee contract expires after the season, and he gets the picture."I know this could be my last chance to win a World Series with them," Damon said. "I’m going to give them all I can this year, and help those [younger outfielders] try to get better – even though they’re going to be taking my job for a very long time."
From Damon’s vantage, "This could be the best of any team I’ve ever been on," he said, which would include the 2004 world champion Red Sox.
"I feel very good about playing baseball, and this camp," Damon said. "I’d love to have a great year, help us win a World Series, and come back for another year or two.We fans would be happy with that too. It's also great to see that he's trying to help out the younger players in what very likely will be his last season in pinstripes."But, I’ll be happy with winning a World Series and seeing what happens."
But here's one from the "what if" department: what if Damon does have a great year? Or how about if he just does what he did last year when he hit .303/.375/.461 with 17 HR, 71 RBI, and 29 stolen bases in 143 games, and played a pretty decent left field Then what do the Yankees do?
I guess a lot of people would say, "be thankful you got one last good year out of him and send him on his way," and part of me feels the same. But a one-year deal for a player who will put up those numbers is not such a bad thing either.
13 Comments:
The decision to bring Damon back or not I think depends on how well does Brett Gardner plays.
Gardner is a lead-off type with his speed. If he could put up respectable numbers, mainly his OBP is what the Yankees could look for, he will probably be the lead-off hitter if/when Damon is gone.
Yankees don't necessarily need Damon to be here next year. They have many outfield options. Maybe no big names but still good options.
If they don't bring Damon back have no problems going with any of these 3 combos: Gardner Melky Jackson Swisher or Nady who's a FA.
On another note, I'm not a fan of bringing players back on the wrong side of 30. Especially if you have other options.
It's bad enough that Jeter is declining and they going to have to give him a contract. If this was another SS there's no way in hell you give a 35 y/o SS with limiting range and is clearly declining a contract.
Their 2010 LFer should be Derek Jeter. If not, and Damon remains healthy and effective, I would consider extending him for a year, maybe with a team option.
I think NY would rather trade for Matt Holliday this summer than re-sign johnny damon.
I don't know about Holiday, I gotta see how he hits away from Coors for a full season. I also don't know if the Yanks need to get themselves locked into another long-term deal. Which is what they'd have to do if they traded for him.
Yankees are high on Austin Jackson. If he has a good year in AAA you can expect him to have a spot in the outfield next year.
Throw in the fact that Nick Swisher is under contract one would assume he will have a spot next year too.
That leaves a spot open.
Like I said that other spot could be Gardner's if he proves he can hit ML pitching and put up respectable numbers.
I doubt after giving such a large contract to Teixeira, giving Arod such a ridiculous contract, have to give Jeter an extention I don't see them giving Matt Holliday a large contract.
If they do they would be going backwards as an organization.
The outfield names aren't sexy but as long as they're productive you should be able to live with them.
I just think Matt Holliday is a very good player. Coors field is a bit of a hitters park....but the kid can still hit theres no question. He's 28 years old, a career .317 hitter, and has speed. Like what, 25 SB's last year? thats not much off from Damon.
I disagree that getting holliday would be a step backwards. It's still part of a philosophy NY has not followed this decade. Spending big bucks for guys under 30 is logical to me. Much more logical than spending big bucks on 40 year old pitchers (Johnson, Clemens) and 35 year old hitters (Sheffield)
"Spending big bucks for guys under 30 is logical to me. Much more logical than spending big bucks on 40 year old pitchers (Johnson, Clemens) and 35 year old hitters (Sheffield)"
I don't disagree with that. I just want to make sure that Holiday is the player he's hyped up to be before sending a bunch of prospects to the A's and then having to sign him long-term.
I think you have to bring Damon back for maybe a 1 year contract. Who would be the lead off hitter for this team?
The only way can let Damon go is if Gardner becomes a 300 hitter.
^ Lead-off hitter is overrated. An actual "lead-off" hitter only maybe leads off once a game?
Other times he just comes off in the middle of an inning.
What you want on top of your lineup is speed and one that gets on base at-least 35% of the time.
Most teams don't have prototypical lead off guy just someone who has some speed and is able to get on base via hits or BB.
damon stinks. He will be done after this year.
Care to share what you're basing that on?
Everybody keeps thinking Jeter should move or will move, but I don't know why they keep bringing it up. It's not going to happen, so the discussion is moot. It does not matter how much it SHOULD happen, because no matter what, it's not going to.
However, there IS possibility of Damon coming back, so let's actually discuss that.
If Damon does well, depending on the kind of role he'd accept, I could see them bringing him back on a 1 year basis if he'd be interested. He might be relegated to part time or platoon duty in LF, but I could see it, especially if he hits and does ok defensively.
With Matsui potentially done after this season, Posada and Damon could also split time at DH as well in 2010.
The only way I can see Damon coming back is if he took a one year deal. Maybe they'll offer and he'll accept arbitration. Although I would like to see them pay him less. The difference might be worth the flexibility though.
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