The Yankees intend to try to bring back Johnny Damon, probably for about $6-8 million a year (that'll be the first offer, anyway), and might be willing to give him a second year. Damon's been saying in the papers all year that he wants to be back, which is quite a departure from the usual free-agent script and could mean he's that rare player amenable to a below-market contract. Yankees management loves Damon personally, too, and that doesn't hurt.We know Damon wants to come back, and from the feedback from fans on this blog and others, it seems the fans want him back too. Looks like everyone will get their wish.
With Hideki Matsui also a free agent (not to mention Xavier Nady), the Yankees could use Damon, who's having a fine offensive season, especially for power (.286, 22 HRs, 68 RBIs and 87 runs). Yankees people also love Matsui (four home runs this weekend at Fenway) but his knees are in bad shape and the current thinking is that they'll need more DH at-bats in coming years for Jorge Posada and other aging stars. Damon, though, remains passable in the outfield.
Damon's making $13 million now, but the Yankees appear to view this case in much the same way they looked at Andy Pettitte, who took a pay cut to $5 million guaranteed to return last winter. Damon shopped himself last time when he felt he wasn't getting the respect he deserved from the Red Sox. But this appears to be a different case.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Heyman: Yanks Want Damon Back
Jon Heyman wrote an article about his top 18 dream World Series matchups - Yanks vs. Dodgers was no. 1 - he had this to say about Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon:
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I think they will have to sign Damon and/or Matsui, if they both leave, that's a lot of offensive production to make up. Since A-Jax is going to need some more time in AAA, and with the inevitable injuries, having a few extra bodies is not a bad idea.
"which is quite a departure from the usual free-agent script and could mean he's that rare player amenable to a below-market contract" --> the main problem is two-word long: Scott Boras.
Right, he said he wants back, I doubt it's gonna be for that cheap. I'm sure he said 4 years back that e wanted back with the Sox, and we all remember what happens.
Go Bombers, I hate day offs.
Good.
He did say he wanted to stay in Boston. In fact, he actually said he could never play for the Yankees too. But the difference is he's four years older. Everyone in baseball knows he's days as a good outfielder are over, and the Yankees, unlike Boston, said they want him back. I'd also like to see what happens if he wins a ring in NY. He thought Boston was great? Try winning here.
i love matsui, but personally i think adam dunn would be an amazing DH...yankee stadium + power lefty = amazing run production. this move would be mutually beneficial for dunn and the yanks (adam dunn would have the best years of his statistical career and the yankees would have more versatility being enabled to put him in the field, as well as more run support for the pitching...im sure andy pettitte would appreciate this :) He can hit right behind alex rodriguez and take on the slack that he may provide offensively (i.e. getting the runners in)
and bring damon back, but just for a year or two.
I dont like Dunn as a FA pickup. Clogs up the DH a bit. I know its not going to happen but it would be great if Tampa didnt pick up Carl Crawford's option. That would be a scary team if he was a Yankee.
Although Dunn's not a great fielder, he can still give an outfielder or teixeira a day off.
Neither should be back, but if I have to pick one I'd pick Damon. At least he can play the outfield and and hit a few more HR at YS. Either way Cashman has his work cut out for him.
Brian Cashman has made it pretty clear he's not going to be in the market for any big money, long-term, free agents thanks to last year's offseason. So, they're not gonna go out and throw a ton of money at a guy like Matt Holiday. Taking that into consideration, they can't afford to let both Matsui and Damon go. Damon can still play the field, plus he's much faster on the bases. To me, it's a no brainer.
Michael, Dunn, IMO, would be a terrible pickup.
1) No, he can't play the field anymore, not on a contending team. It's not the same being absolutely terrible in DC and in NY. Even for some spot starts in LF or RF, that would be too dangerous.
2) Also, that would mean Damon is gone, since it's pretty clear his body cannot take the field anymore (and since he wasn't a great defender at the beginning...)
3) I think the Yankees don't need another HR hitter. Yesterday, they had like 2-7 hitters with 19+ HRs and 65+ RBIs. Homers are not the problem, not with this ballpark. They need Damon's ability to run when needed (even more if he's full-time DH he will have fresher legs) and to run the bases smartly.
Dunn's a all or nothing guy, walks a lot but strikes out an awful lot as well.
Don't like the idea at all. It doesn't seem like the Yankees are entertaining that either (never heard of a possible move like that at least).
Go Bombers.
Dunn is signed for next year anyways so he could only come via a trade. For what it's worth his numbers are very impressive this year except the K's He is projected to K 179 times.
Ranks 4th in NL in HR (33) Ranks 4th in NL in RBI (89)
Ranks 1st in NL in BB (95) Ranks 3rd in NL in OBP (.422)
Ranks 4th in NL in SLG (.586) Ranks 3rd in NL in OPS (1.008)
Having said that Damon is a no brainer. Matsui would be nice but I don't see it happening.
I'd sign damon for 1yr at 5 mil.
I think we pass on Matsui.
Damon is the better option than Matsui. Hideki has chronic knee problems. Damon is more versatile he can play some outfield and some dh next year.
Also Posada should DH more sice the pitchers dont really like throwing to him.
@Vinsanity13 And I suppose that eric hinskey is not a liability on the field even on a spot start? Nick Swisher? (Off Point but has anyone noticed the fact that Melky has lost his ability to throw accurately? He still has an arm but no accuracy whatsoever)
While Swisher looks - key word is looks - terrible in the field sometimes, he's actually be pretty decent. Out of all qualifying right fielders he ranks 8th in UZR/150.
vinsanity13, im sorry i think you misunderstood, im totally with the idea of bringing back damon. He is a great asset to the team. I feel that we should pass on matsui and pick up dunn instead. We are not laying out big bucks on this guy because he would come via trade, so that would mean we would pick up his contract, which is, in fact, less than matsui's. So if you think about it, you are shedding salary, while adding offensive production. This is not a bad deal at all.
A spot start or two here and there would not be all that bad. If the yankees have the audacity to put eric hinske out in left field to play the green monster, they can let dunn get ONE start at least in the outfield. Then again, we wouldnt primarily be used in the outfield. It is a lot easier of a job to play first base, if fielding is necessary. But Dunn's job would be set as a DH and only a DH. ADAM DUNN BELONGS IN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE.
Im sorry, but i cannot think of any greater deal.
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