The Yankees and Nick Johnson are talking about the sweet-swinging lefty and on-base machine replacing Hideki Matsui as the World Champions’ DH on a one-year deal.King later mentions that any deal would likely include some incentives since Johnson has had so many injuries in the past.
If a deal is completed, it would be an indication the Yankees will part with Johnny Damon, whom they view at least as a part-time DH and dont want him for more than two years and $20 million. The Post reported Tuesday that isources say Damon isnt looking to take a pay cut from the $13 million he made last year. Agent Scott Boras is hunting for a three- or four-year deal.
“We have had dialogue, things are moving forward," Johnson's agent Rex Gary said of the talks with his client, a former Yankees first baseman. “Something could happen to speed things up but it’s hard to predict."
The part about Damon is also interesting. Apparently he's looking for $13 million per year from the Yanks. Considering that Bobby Abreu got two-years at $19 million total, so I don't see the Yankees going that much higher for Damon.
