New York Yankees news & notes: Forget that Damon discount

by Ed Valentine on Dec 16, 2009 8:29 AM EST in News Comment 43 comments

It has been clear for weeks now that the New York Yankees want Johnny Damon back, but for no more than two years at around $10 million per season.

Damon made it clear Tuesday he wants more than that -- and he fully intends to allow agent Scott Boras to find a team willing to pony up his asking price.

Damon is still seeking a three-year contract without taking a pay cut - that would put a deal at $39million - believing that his performance last season was good enough for him to continue earning an annual salary of $13 million. And after watching Mike Cameron - who is almost a year older than Damon - ink a two-year pact with the Red Sox, Damon sees no reason for him to settle for less than three.

"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, who doesn't seem to be in any rush to get his situation settled, said that the Yankees have not started negotiating with his agent, Scott Boras.

"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."

My take: I can't blame Damon for wanting as much as he can get, but the Yankees can't do that. And GM Brian Cashman seems to feel that way, too. Three years from now Damon will be a very expensive broken-down ex-outfielder who can only DH. The Yankees don't need that. If Damon wants to play hardball, the Yankees just need to move on.

If the Yankees need a replacement for Damon -- and Hideki Matsui -- they don't appear inclined to pursue Jason Bay as that guy. I'm OK with that, too. They can use Melky Cabrera in left, let Xavier Nady and Jason Hoffman compete to be the right-hand hitting alternative, and spend their money on adding a little more pitching.

Speaking of Matsui, I came across a couple of excellent articles regarding the former Yankee outfielder/DH.

WFAN's Sweeny Murti penned (typed?) an excellent tribute to Matsui that had more to do with Matsui the man than Matsui the baseball player.

I can’t imagine I’ll ever have the privilege of covering a player like Hideki Matsui again. The word "unique" is thrown around too much, but this was indeed a unique experience, right from Day One.

Matsui’s Yankee legacy will be that he was an extremely professional hitter, a clutch hitter who saved his best for last, 6 RBIs in the World Series clincher to take home the MVP trophy. And his nickname, Godzilla, is wholly ironic, for there is nothing about his personality or work ethic that suggests a fire-breathing monster. He was just a model Yankee from the first day, literally to the last.

It is nearly impossible to demonstrate how impressive it was to see a man move half way around the world and not only become the first successful power hitter from Japan, but do it in New York for the Yankees, in a place where greater players have come and failed. We often say there will never be another Derek Jeter or another Mariano Rivera. He’s not in same Hall of Fame level as those two, but Matsui is much more. He is in an elite class all by himself, simply the most unique athlete I have ever known.

The New York Times looks at how the loss of Matsui will affect the Yankees off the field.

ESPN's Rob Neyer loves Boston's decision to replace Bay with Cameron. And Sabermetricians will love his reasoning.

He certainly isn't as expensive. As for productive ... Well, that depends on how you define "productive."

Over the last two seasons, Cameron produced 8.4 wins above replacement.

Over those same two seasons, Bay produced 6.4 wins above replacement.

The Red Sox are going to pay Cameron roughly half of what someone's going to pay Jason Bay.

We try to make these things so complicated. But they're not, really. The Red Sox have figured out how to simplify everything. And I just can't wait to read all the columns in the Boston newspapers questioning Theo Epstein's intelligence and ownership's commitment to winning ...

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Damn that sucks

But Johnny has always been a mercenary going to the highest bidder. I love Johnny but what he is asking, with his child’s arm, and decreased range, he’s not worth it. Thanks Johnny, I wish you luck, but time to move on.

by DarthRichter on Dec 16, 2009 8:37 AM EST reply actions

Yep

‘cept for the mercenary part. Everybody does that (and I don’t just mean baseball players).
Even 2-20 is much too much. Godzilla just got 1-6.5 mil, that’s about right for a Damon-type that will primarily DH.
IMO. all these declining stars like Zilla, Damon, Delgado, Vlad, should get very little guaranteed money (like no more than 5 mil) with incentives that would allow them to make more if they have a good season.

by Peter Lacock on Dec 16, 2009 9:36 AM EST up reply actions

Unfortunantely all these declining stars disagree with you.

It would be a much easier argument if Damon didn’t have the career year he just had. Since he did his ego is through the roof and he is looking for the big pay check.

by Gelatin on Dec 16, 2009 9:52 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

It's not personal, Sonny. It's just business.

by Scooby Snacks on Dec 16, 2009 8:58 AM EST reply actions

BYE BYE JOHNNY

C-ya! Along with his “child’s arm” (lol), the Yanks also have too many options in OF. And for the next couple of years they will need to keep that DH spot relatively open for the older players to get a rest, or worse, an injury.
Anything more than two years is too much. i don’t mind him wanting to get the same pay as last year in 13 mil, but not for more than 2 years.

by McDaniel on Dec 16, 2009 9:01 AM EST reply actions

Boras is setting this up nicely.

Keep Damon away from the Yankees, and force them to get in on Holliday. I don’t think the Yankee FO will tolerate a Nady / Cabrera platoon when there is a perfectly good free agent available to throw money at. They claimed to be happy about Swisher at 1B, and we know how long that lasted.

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Dec 16, 2009 9:28 AM EST reply actions

Never though about it that way, but you might be right with the Holliday thing.
A Nady/Cabrera/Gardner platoon isn’t that bad an idea. And we have Jamie Hoffman too. That’s 4 players fighting for one spot. I’d rather pocket the money for Webb and wait which one of those guys wins the spot.

by moose35 on Dec 16, 2009 10:19 AM EST up reply actions

You are assuming . . .

that Granderson doesn’t need a caddy to play against lefties.

by stusviews on Dec 16, 2009 10:23 AM EST up reply actions

Goodbye Damon

You were a helpful yankee.

Cant give you the money. Enjoy a non-contender.

Hey maybe bosux wants Judas back…..haha

Do the right ting johnny and play baseball for the love not the money, i know its hard, but do the right thing here…… 2 yrs 10 million, Lord knows you have enough of the money how many more WS can you win with us, c’mon johnny do the right thing……..

Think of all the future pies……..

by 4thabronxbombers on Dec 16, 2009 9:34 AM EST reply actions

At half the salary, the pies are only half as sweet.

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

by jscape2000 on Dec 16, 2009 9:49 AM EST up reply actions

So are the rings.

He’s already won 1 with both of the most popular teams in the entire sport.

He is obviously not making the HoF.

He has cemented a legacy as a Yankee and Sock.

Money is all that’s left for this guy.

by Gelatin on Dec 16, 2009 9:54 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

He's actually not all that far away from 3000 hits.

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

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 16, 2009 11:20 PM EST up reply actions

the Cameron signing

was a decent move, but it doesn’t make the Red Sox better. Their problem was offense, and they got worse with that trade. Over the past two years, Bay has hit a wOBA of .392, while Cameron has a wOBA of .349. They traded their second best hitter for a league average hitter. Besides that, some of Cameron’s defensive prowess will be negated by that wall.

by Wraithpk on Dec 16, 2009 10:18 AM EST reply actions

Cameron may play center

and Ellsbury who had average fielding numbers slides over to left.

by stusviews on Dec 16, 2009 10:22 AM EST up reply actions

Theo already came out and said that Jacoby

was their everyday starting CF. That, however, does not mean it will not change later in the season.

by BigDanz2000 on Dec 16, 2009 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

Interesting, I missed that.

Of course, you can’t put too much trust in what any GM tells the public.

by stusviews on Dec 16, 2009 10:51 AM EST up reply actions

Cameron will be in Center,

by david d on Dec 16, 2009 11:18 AM EST up reply actions

Bad points in the article

Jacoby Ellsbury is a terrible centerfielder, and much of Mike Camerons High WAR comes from being a really go center fielder. Boston is much better of putting Ellsbury in a corner spot, possibly left as there is less ground to cover and Fangraphs shows they have similar arm ratings but somehow Ellsbury has less range (I’m guessing he doesn’t read the ball very well.)

Any others?

by Monotonousblob on Dec 16, 2009 10:39 AM EST reply actions

Ellsbury has good range.

I’ve seen him play and really, you can’t go too much by that OF and the way its contructed.

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

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 16, 2009 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

Ellsbury doesn’t hit well enough to be a corner outfielder.

by Wraithpk on Dec 16, 2009 11:07 AM EST up reply actions

The thing is....

does anyone else want Damon on their team?

If the Yankees…the YANKEES, are balking at his asking price, what does that mean for all other MLB teams, who may not have use for a player of Damon’s skill-set…let alone, pay $13 million per for him?

I just hope the Yanks stick to their guns.

Hell, sign Holliday or even Bay….and still keep the 2yr offer out there for Johnny (DH?).

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

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 16, 2009 10:56 AM EST reply actions

The Nats could possibly dish out for Damon and use his leadership. No way should Lasting Milledge be given a significant amount of playing time. They did reportedly offer Tex more money than the Yankees did last year.

by Scooby Snacks on Dec 16, 2009 11:08 AM EST up reply actions

Maybe the Mets

If they lose out on Bay.

by stusviews on Dec 16, 2009 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

Holliday and Bay

both want too many years AND money for me…Don’t trust a move for either one of ’em

by david d on Dec 16, 2009 11:20 AM EST up reply actions

2011 MLB Free Agent list

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/09/2011-mlb-free-agents.html

Left fielders
Eric Byrnes (35)
Carl Crawford (29)
David DeJesus (31) – $6MM club option with a $500K buyout
Willie Harris (33)
Jason Kubel (29) – $5.25MM club option with a $350K buyout
Jason Michaels (35)
Manny Ramirez (39)

Center fielders
Willie Bloomquist (33)
Jody Gerut (33)
Willie Harris (33)
Andruw Jones (34)
Mark Kotsay (35)
Jason Michaels (35)
Corey Patterson (31)
Willy Taveras (29)

Right fielders
Willie Bloomquist (33)
Jose Guillen (35)
Brad Hawpe (32) – $10MM club option with a $500K buyout
Gabe Kapler (35)
Magglio Ordonez (37) – $15MM club option vests with 135 starts or 540 plate appearances in 2010
Jayson Werth (32)
________________________________________________________________

Not particularly a class of outfielders to salivate over with the exception of Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth (but he’ll be 33).

by Scooby Snacks on Dec 16, 2009 11:30 AM EST reply actions

Crawford's it

for me. This is a weak list, to say the least. Yanks need to stick to pitching. Melky in Left will work just fine. It’s not much different from this past season. Only difference is Granderson in CF. Without Matsui and Damon the DH slot will be interesting. I guess they’re going to do the DH by committee…

by david d on Dec 16, 2009 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

We made a big mistake letting Matsui go.

Matsui is a better clutch hitter, has more power, and a $6.5 million is IMHO a steal. He loved being a Yankee, too. Cashman made a big mistake letting him slip away.

Damon seems like a money grubber and with Matsui gone, we lost a lot of leverage.

by pinstriper on Dec 16, 2009 11:32 AM EST reply actions

Agreed

Matsui is gonna be missed, on and off the field…

by david d on Dec 16, 2009 11:37 AM EST up reply actions

Cash allowed himself to be cornered a bit

when Mats signed elsewhere.

I would rather see a LF platoon as described above than pay any more than 2 yrs to Damon and I don’t even want to pay THAT!

He will age badly – mark my words. In year 2 he will be a mediocre DH with no speed at all.

by MSP Giant on Dec 16, 2009 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

Crawford will be a Yankee in 2011.

The Yanks have been wanting this guy for years.

by McDaniel on Dec 16, 2009 11:46 AM EST reply actions

Would have been nice

to see Crawford at leadoff and Jeter hitting behind him the past couple years.

by david d on Dec 16, 2009 11:54 AM EST up reply actions

wasn't Crawford

a free agent the same year we signed Damon? I recall the Yankees deciding between Damon and Crawford, and they eventually went with Damon.

by moose35 on Dec 16, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions

That was 4 years ago wasn't it?

Crawford wasn’t much more than Brett Gardner 4 years ago…no one knew what he was.

Yes, he always had the potential to be what he is…but Johnny Damon was Johnny Damon….guy’s the real deal.

I not sure if they really did have to choose between the 2…but they made the right choice.

Crawford was unproven…..

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

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 16, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

Holliday is a better player than Crawford overall. Crawford is faster and plays better defense, but Holliday is the better hitter and plays good defense as well. I say get the hitter this year, and next year go after either Mauer or one of the aces that will be on the market, or both if possible.

by Wraithpk on Dec 16, 2009 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

Mauer

is not leaving Minnesota.

by david d on Dec 16, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

I agree.

Yet…I mean its not 100% that he stays is it?

We’ll see how the year plays out.

If Mauer lets it me know that he doesn’t wanna stay in Minny…the Yanks gotta make a big effort to get him…merely to keep him out of Boston.

I personally would rather him stay in Minny. I think they’ll make a concerted effort to re-sign him.

But if Mauer’s on the open market, the Yanks need to get him.

That’s IF…only.

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

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 16, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

So FreeBradshaw....

this is only a joke, but,
are you saying Brett Gardner is the next Carl Crawford in 4 years?!?!?!

I had to do it.

I think Crawford decided that he would resign with Tampa before we got Damon?
Either way it was the better choice then because Damon was proven and he did extremely well in Yankee Stadium with Boston(that BAST@RD!)

by McDaniel on Dec 16, 2009 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

well...

I know its a joke…

BUt if Gardner was 20 years old…yea, he may have eventually been Crawford.

But he’s 26 going on 27 soon…what you see is probably what you get.

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

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 16, 2009 11:22 PM EST up reply actions

DAMN IT!

I’ll get you yet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by McDaniel on Dec 17, 2009 8:41 AM EST up reply actions

Well Johnny seems determined

to make this as hard for Cashman as he possibly can. Come on Johnny. You have enough money. Play for the love of baseball and to win more championships. There’s no better place to play baseball than New York. And you want to leave for more money when you already have about 100X more than President Obama makes? NOBODY is going to give Johnny Damon 4 years and 52 million, or whatever he wants. Nobody is going to outbid the Yankees for Johnny Damon. The Yankees want him back, and they are offering him a fair deal. But if he’s going to be “money first”, then oh well.

I still hope he comes back. But he needs to be reasonable.

by nyyrocks29 on Dec 16, 2009 3:22 PM EST reply actions

Damon must take the Yankees offer or else.........

$10 million for 2 years is the final offer of the Yankees to Johnny Damon. If Damon persist then he must look for a new team.

Damon and Boras are dreaming and are shooting for the stars. They both know that the Yankees won’t budge considering that the organization is aware of Damon’s age and diminishing speed and defense.

If the Yankees are thinking of signing Damon for $ 13 million for 3 years then I suggest that the Yankees should sign Bay instead ($ 16 million for 4 years with 1 year club option). Bay is younger (31) and has more home run power.

by icebert_04 on Dec 16, 2009 6:57 PM EST reply actions

The Existing Yankee Offer Is Overly Generous .....

At this point Damon is a liability in the outfield. His arm is a joke and he has lost range. I acknowledge he got some key hits this year but …… as one of the earlier posters mentioned, the Yanks can’t afford to have Damon take up too much time as a DH. If they were interested in signing either Damon or Matsui as a DH ……. it should have been Matsui.

Frankly -- I’m surprised the Yankees offered him 2 years at $10M per/year. This seems like way too much money for where he is in his career. We should also remember that when Damon was last a free agent, he was seeking a 7-year contract. The Yankees only offered 4 and, not surprisingly, when Damon tried to go elsewhere to get his 7 years, the silence among other clubs was deafening. I’m sure he’ll come crawling back to the Yankees when he finds that nobody else is willing to come close to what he is seeking. I just hope the Yankees come to their senses and withdraw the existing offer.

by Jeff I on Dec 16, 2009 11:15 PM EST reply actions