On the potential date for Game 7 of this year’s World Series, Johnny Damon will turn 36.
He’d like nothing better than to celebrate his birthday week rolling up the Canyon of Heroes with his Yankees teammates. But there’s one more Damon wish: A 2010 season in pinstripes.
“I would love to be able to play with this group of guys, at least another year,’’ said Damon, whose contract expires at the end of this season.
...
“There will be teams (interested),’’ he said. But, “I just can’t picture myself in another place, or want to. “This is the team I want to be on.’’
“We not only have guys who get a long, but this is the most fun I’ve had with players on and off the field,’’ Damon said. “It’s great – I feel like a young player again.I agree, a world series win almost guarantees at least one more year in pinstripes for JD.
“Because back when I was with Kansas City, we always had get-togethers, barbecues – all that stuff. And we’re doing that kind of stuff (here).’’
With the Yankees 6.5 games ahead in the AL East entering Saturday, “I feel I’m a big reason…a big part of what’s been going on here.’’
Still, Damon said it’s too early for overtures to management about 2010, or beyond. “We’ve really got to keep winning,’’ Damon said.
“We’ve got to get to the postseason and do well. I feel like if we win, then there’s no doubt where I’ll be next year.’’
I really was against the Damon signing from the start, I always felt that he was too old and that Carlos Beltran one year earlier was the guy who should have been the Yankees centerfielder. That said, Damon has been much better than I had expected, and even though his centerfield days are over - heck his days in left field may be over - he's still be a very valuable player to this team. He plays most of the time, and the guy has always been a professional hitter and a very tough out.
One more year from Damon, mostly as the DH, won't hurt this team. And with the 2010 free agent class looking like it does, they may actually need to bring him back.
9 Comments:
He can't be an everyday player next season, his defense is a big liability in the outfield. His arm is gone, so DH is the only place he fits, with an ocassional game in the outfield... but regardless, we will still need another "everyday player" in the outfield not named Swisher, AJAX. Will Gardner & Melky continue to platoon, or has melky earned his spot with his play this season..
"At least one more year"
Means Damon would take a 1 year contract. I dont see how the yankees cannot bring Damon back for 1 year. He is great clutch hitter. Matsui will be gone Damon can DH for about 100 games and then he can play left field for 40-50 games when Girardi wants to DH Posada, Jeter or A-Rod. Damon is much more versatile than Matsui.
He also still has decent speed he is one of the few regulars that can score from 1st on a double.
And he is not that bad in left. He had a couple of drops earlier in the season. But outside of those couple of errors he plays an average left. He throws to the right base too which some other outfielders have trouble doing (Melky, Swisher)
He can play everyday as the DH.
And with the infield and pitching they have they should be fine with Melky/Gardner/AJax/Swisher. It hasn't hurt them too much this year. Plus there's nobody that on the market that will be good and worth the money they're going to get.
I would bring him back next year to DH. Posada is still going to want to catch majority of next year. I would put both Melky and Gardner in the outfield. That will improve the outfield defense and bring some extra speed into the lineup. Jackson is still not ready he is probably going to be in the triple a.
Next year lineup that is still probably the best lineup in the al and the yankees are better defensively.
SS- Jeter
DH- Damon
1B- Teixeira
3B- Rodriguez
2B- Cano
C- Posada
LF- Swisher
RF- Cabrera
CF- Gardner
If Gardner can maintain a 340-360 obp that warrants him to play everday and hit 9th and be in that double leadoff spot. He creates havoc with his speed. ANd Melky has 15 homeruns and 60 rbi type power which is more than enough to hit 8th.
Here is what I think. Drop Matsui and re-sign Damon and he is your dh. Done
I really don't see Gardner as an everyday player and Melky seems to wear down when he plays everyday. I see them as a sort of Platoon CF with Melky getting sometime in RF too. I would have no problem bringing back Damon for DH 80% of the time and 20% in LF. He has more HR then most DH's in the league this year.
"better than I expected"- if you mean offensively, than I def agree with you, Johnny Damon can flat out hit. Bring him back? I think we need to see how this yr finishes off. His outfield days are def over.
It would be great if he signs a 1 year deal and then gives way to Crawford in '11. And throw in Mauer.
Post a Comment