Heyman: Damon Turned Down $6MM Offer From Yanks Last Week

From Jon Heyman (hat-tip to RAB):

In a last-ditch effort late last week after Damon himself called the team, Cashman, one of baseball's best dealmakers, tried floating a contract of $6 million with $3 million deferred at no interest (with the promise it would be cleared with team boss Hal Steinbrenner, who was about to return from his honeymoon). But Damon wasn't moved enough to respond.

Based on these quotes from Damon, he's either been brainwashed by Boras into thinking that he's actually going to get the deal he's looking for, or he's just THAT stubborn.

"I know what kind of player I am. I know I'm a player who makes a difference and won't back down,'' Damon told SI.com by phone on Thursday.

...

"I'm all right being a free agent at this point. I get to see how teams are shaping up,'' Damon said. "I know what I can do. And I think the rest of the world knows what I can do.''

Heyman also had this interesting bit of info, apparently the Yankees aren't closing the door to a possible Damon return in the middle of next season:

But while Damon and the Yankees are divorcing, there's also already some thought being given to a possible and eventual reunion. In a moment that seemed slightly more than whimsical, Damon ruminated on the phone Thursday about being traded to the Yankees at midyear after signing elsewhere soon. And Yankees GM Brian Cashman didn't seem to mind that idea, either.

Maybe that's the best way to get these two together. In that scenario, Damon and another team come to the financial agreement he and the Yankees couldn't, and the Yankees take half that contract at midyear.

"You never know,'' Cashman said. "The Yankees like players who can help us win.''

That could always happen, but I think we're getting too far ahead of ourselves. Either way, I'm very surprised that Damon turned down a $6 million offer from the Yanks. Most fans, including myself, and writers felt that would have been enough to get him back, I'm sure they're all as surprised as I am that it wasn't. Does anyone think he's going to end up with a better deal? I don't.

In the end it looks like the Yankees did everything they felt they could to bring Damon back without being ripped off in the process. Sorry Lupica, you can't blame the Yanks for this one.