"Players out there are getting multi-year deals," Damon said. "(Andy) Pettitte got a raise at 37, even though it was only one year. Cameron is 37 (he turns 37 in January) and he got two years. We're not going to know much until we start negotiating with teams, but that should happen soon."Damon did say that the reports that he and the Yankees were $20 million apart were just "hearsay." But Feinsand said "it's clear that the two sides have vastly different thoughts about Damon's value."
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"I've been too busy with the kids to worry about it," Damon said. "We're just going about our business and our life. I'm not really too concerned about it. We'll find a team elsewhere if the Yankees don't bring me back."
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One industry source believes the Yankees will increase their offer to two years and $22 million, adding a third option year with a buyout that would guarantee Damon approximately $26 million for the two-year deal. The Yankees had budgeted roughly $8 million to $9 million per year for Damon going forward, so that could be a stretch.
Damon needs to realize that the reason the Yankees gave Pettitte a raise was because he signed for one year. If Damon would take a one-year deal I'm sure he could get more or at least the same money he made this year ($13 million).
Cameron got a two-year deal worth $15.5 million, which is probably less than the Yankees would offer Damon, so I don't really know where Damon is going with that. Oh, and Cameron is still a very good defensive outfielder, something Damon is not.
That said, there's no denying the value in having a hitter like Damon bat behind Jeter in this lineup. He hits lefties and righties, he draws walks, and his swing was made for the new stadium. I just don't think it's worth more than two years, and from I've heard most Yankees fans feel the same way.
