Sherman: Keeping Damon is best move

by Ed Valentine on Dec 3, 2009 9:07 AM EST in News Comment 9 comments

The Johnny Damon situation with the New York Yankees seems as though it will get pretty interesting this off-season, which I should have figured since Damon is represented by Scott Boras.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post opined today that the best Yankee team in 2010 would include Damon in left field.

The best 2010 Yankees team has Johnny Damon. No question. His swing is ideal for the short right-field porch, he is New York/big-game tested, and his tandem work atop the lineup with Derek Jeter served as the offensive engine for a champion.

The Yankees, however, see him as comparable to Bobby Abreu, who recently signed for two years at $19 million to stay an Angel. The Yanks do not want to budge beyond a two-year offer. Scott Boras compares his client favorably with Jeter and sounds as if he wants a four-year contract.

Personally, I agree with Sherman. I also agree with the Yankees, though, that two years is the absolute most they should offer for the 36-year-old Damon. In fact, I would love one year with an option.

Sherman, by the way, also tosses out some low-budget ways to replace Damon. I don't really like any of them.

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Arbitration

Why didn’t we offer Damon arbitration? I’m not completely clear on how the whole system works, but if we only wanted him for a year or two, why not offer him arbitration, ensuring a one year deal. Based on all reports, he’d likely turn it down anyway cause he wants a long term deal, but at least we’d get a draft pick out of the process, which is better than nothing.

by danmastaflex on Dec 3, 2009 9:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

The general assumption

is that Damon would stand to make $15m in arbitration for next season and the Yankees don’t view him as a player worth that much.

by Scooby Snacks on Dec 3, 2009 9:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Choosing between $15M for 1 year and $25M for 2, I think I’d have rathered the one year deal.

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

by jscape2000 on Dec 3, 2009 10:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yup.

doesn’t make anysense.

Johnny for 2 years has disaster written on it (even if its for 2 years).

The guy has been injury prone in the past..he’ll miraculously recover for the following season, but 2010?

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

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 3, 2009 11:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not thrilled about either

Personally I think Damon/Boras were out there talking about those figures to trick the Yankees into offering him arbitration. I’d be stunned if there’s a 2-year/25 million deal for Damon out there.

by New York Sports Jerk on Dec 3, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well Placido Polanco was recently signed for 3-yr/$18M and Marco Scutaro for 2-yr/$12.5M. They can both still play defense. I think it’s safe to say that Damon will only see 2-yr/$16M tops.

by Scooby Snacks on Dec 4, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Tiger should have followed Jeter?

and not get married?

I’m sure Ellen knew that golf clubs wasn’t the only thing Tiger bags.

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

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 3, 2009 1:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

True

Damon in LF is the best option for the Yankees in 2009. I sure hope he comes back on a 2 year deal. He’s a great player, with a swing made for Yankee Stadium. He can still run. He’s proven he can handle pressure, hit in the clutch. And he’s great in the clubhouse. I want that back.

I’m just afraid that Boras is gonna screw it up and then the Yankees have to go elsewhere. I wish Damon would just take a page out of A-Rod’s book. Throw Boras out the window and negotiate a reasonable deal himself. The Yankees want Damon back. But he needs to be reasonable. I’m not sure Boras will be reasonable.

by nyyrocks29 on Dec 3, 2009 4:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Damon's future

This is going to be Johnny’s last big contract. He will want 3-4 years, and the Yankees won’t give it to him. He could end up with a team like the Cubs, who might think that one accomplished veteran will put them over the top & into the playoffs – and they might be right!
That would leave the Yankees free to pursue a one or two year deal with Matsui, who might go short on the grounds that it is his best chance at another ring. They would let Swisher & Nady fight it out for left field.
I like Damon, but I can’t imagine the Yankees going for a long term contract or him settling for less. He has already shown that $$ are what moves him.

Mickey C

by Mickey C on Dec 3, 2009 7:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs