Johnny Damon prefers to stay with Yankees, Doesn't Expect a Pay Cut Though

by Monotonousblob on Nov 23, 2009 9:40 PM EST Comment 21 comments

Damon's preference is to remain with the Yankees, and while he has made that wish well-known, sources close to the veteran say he isn't about to give the Bombers a big discount to stay in pinstripes.

Although he's told friends all season that he would take a shorter deal from the Yankees than he would elsewhere, it is believed that he would want a higher average annual salary if he were to take fewer years.

A source close to Damon said that the outfielder believes his statistics over the past two years have been good enough that unless the market crumbles entirely like it did last winter for Bobby Abreu, he doesn't feel he should take a pay cut.

Via NY Daily News

I don't think Johnny Damon's chances of coming back as a Yankee improve at all if he does in fact want to the same, if not more, money. What do you think?

Poll

Do you want Damon to come back if he demands the same amount of money, if not more?

I'm fine if he comes back for the same amount

192 votes

I don't care if he wants more money, just bring him back

50 votes

Only if he takes a pay cut

128 votes

I'd rather pursue another free agent instead

92 votes

Put Cabrera in left for now

54 votes

516 votes | Poll has closed

1 recs | Comment 21 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Personally

I’m fine if he comes back with the same amount. He had a great season last year. His production offensively didn’t decrease at all. It’s the # of years I’m more worried about. One year for an option for a second, no more than 2 guaranteed years. But if he wants 13 million a year again, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. He earned it. And money is never a problem with the Yankees.

by nyyrocks29 on Nov 23, 2009 10:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm not really digging the attitude...

Sure, he had a banner year with us, but he expects even more money just for a couple years? I love Damon, but that’s a big ass turnoff and a snotty way to act. I personally don’t think the Yanks (even if they have the money) should give him more.

It’s not like he’s living out on the streets…

by jigglytuffy on Nov 23, 2009 11:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nah, it's not like he's living on the streets but

if you were an employee of a company an integral part of winning the Best Company of the year Award (or some crap like that, heh) you would want to get paaayd too. Personally I don’t really hold it against them, they beat the crap out of their bodies 8 months out of the year and most didnt finish or never even went to college, gotta make that cheddar while you can so your kids and grandkids and great grandkids can be secure.

Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by CasanovaWong on Nov 23, 2009 11:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't really care about the dollar amount...

if he wants the same amount…let em have it.

I’m worried about the length of the contract. If he wants the same amount per year for a 1 year deal with an option (or TWO!)…sign him up.

Definitely, definitely not a 3-4 year guaranteed deal.

"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 24, 2009 7:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

re

spoken like a true Yankee fan – not caring about money whatsoever.

by rmarx on Nov 24, 2009 6:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Spoken like a true Sox fan

Bitching about money, acting like a small market team.

Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by CasanovaWong on Nov 25, 2009 1:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

awwww.....

your gritty Red Sox are so cute cuz they are just that ‘little engine that could’ every year. Their payroll is less than A-Rod’s contract, they have to trade away their stars every year and rely on their farm system….you poor poor fans.

I even heard you’ll be getting a new stadium! One that doesn’t stink like 86 years of futility and 6 years of people who think their crap doesn’t stink.

When the Red Sox actually care about money too….let me know.

"It ain't over till its over"---

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 25, 2009 6:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Meh.
He’s saying all the same things he said when he was with the Red Sox. He’ll sign with whomever offers the most money. Good luck and goodbye.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Nov 24, 2009 7:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

I feel like I’ve heard this before from Johnny.

by rmarx on Nov 24, 2009 6:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Damon can go.

This is the same act he did four years ago. He’s worth 2 years at best. And i wouldn’t give him anymore than 10 mil per.

Loyalty? He doesn’t have any and nor should we for that matter.
His arm is the worst arm in baseball.
Fielding is average at best.
He hit .282 and 24 hrs, but it was mostly because of the new ballpark.
No thanks. And there are plenty of options for the Yanks in left field and almost all of them would improve the defense.

by McDaniel on Nov 24, 2009 8:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

....

I would give Damon the same as Abreu and leave it at that. They are essentially the same player except Damon has better range and will go to the wall but his arm sucks, Abreu’s arm is still great but he is a pussy when it comes to the warning track.. I can deal with a 2 year 19 million dollar contract.

by RuBiCaNT on Nov 24, 2009 9:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Precisely

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Nov 24, 2009 11:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

13 mil

Damon’s a free agent so obviously he’s not going to go around saying “I deserve a paycut.” When the Yankees signed him to his last contract they were under the impression that he could play center field. As a corner outfielder his value is less, but I think he’s a very comparable player to Abreu so it’s fair for him to look for 2/19.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Nov 24, 2009 10:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Damon's value last year.

Last year he made 13M, and was worth 13.6M, so he did deserve the pay he got last year. That said, he’s 36 and just had a career year. Statistics show us that when a player does that at an older age, you can expect a precipitous drop off the following year. He will not be worth 13M next season, I would estimate his value at 9-10M, and if we can get him to sign for 8M it’s a good deal for us.

by Wraithpk on Nov 24, 2009 11:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs