Johnny Damon looks like Tigers are going to pick him up

[kellmellus50]

Two sources told ESPN.com that the Detroit Tigers have made the largest offer, amid speculation around the industry that that bid is in the range of one year, $7 million. There were indications the sides were still discussing a possible two-year deal. But even the Tigers' one-year offer appears to be the biggest offer on the table.



The Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays have also remained in the bidding, with both teams talking about one-year contracts for fewer total dollars than the Tigers' offer. MLB.com reported that the Braves' offer was for less than $4 million. A source indicated the Chicago White Sox also have expressed late interest.

http://www.freep.com/article/20100211/S ... -years-14M

[ajaX82]

weak

i hope this turns out to be wrong

[Piston Pete]

Good thing we're in cost-cutting mode. Trade off Granderson, then offer Damon $7 million per....

Honestly, if he produces here, I would love to see us trade him for prospects at the deadline....

[kellmellus50]

If the Tigers succeed in signing Damon as a free agent, he could divide his time between the first and second spots. (Maybe Damon bats second in general but moves up to leadoff if Brandon Inge moves up to second against some left-handers?)

While the Tigers and other teams might be waiting for Damon to lower his asking price, he has time to wait for teams to raise theirs. The 36-year-old has plenty of time to sign and be ready for the season --

http://www.freep.com/article/20100211/S ... ers-lineup

[ajaX82]

kell: please remember to link sources when quoting directly. its realgm policy. thanks

as for him at leadoff...thats the only bright spot i could see from this. Damon is not nearly as fast as he once was tho, so he is still not ideal. And i have a hard time believing we offered 7 per. The Braves said 4, so we decided to quickly offer 3 million more? Doesnt make sense

[TSE]

Anything more than 3 million is sad to hear, he's just not a good fit for our team and for what we need to do. I don't even know if i would do 3 million, I'd definitely do 2, but any more than that is just too much to detract from getting younger and more sustainable for the long-term.

[ajaX82]

the Freep says its 2 years, 14 million!

that would be a horrific move and deal. good god i hope they are wrong

[Piston Pete]

What's even crazier, is that damon hasn't accepted yet....

[kellmellus50]

Tigers need to give Johnny Damon a deadline sign in 7 days or the offer is off the table!!!!!!!

There's a fire under Mike Ilitch's seat, and he lit the fuse himself.

His baseball impatience is showing again. It's possible that agent and P.T. Barnum descendant Scott Boras is playing the Tigers' owner for a sap, creating a market for Boras' 36-year-old defensively challenged client -- Johnny Damon -- where one doesn't exist.

http://www.freep.com/article/20100213/C ... ith-Tigers

[Snakebites]

I really don't get it.

If we're willing to pay 7 mill for a year of Johnny Damon, why not just keep Curtis?

Doesn't add up.

[Liqourish]

Nothing makes sense. I'm just waiting for next year when guys expire.

I hope to see Porcello/Perry get more innings this season. I'd like to see Sizemore and Jackson play alot. I'd also like to see Avila work his way back up since he was arguably our best catcher down the stretch last season.

[Piston Pete]

Not too many innings for the youngins....a few more would be nice though.

[kellmellus50]

Chi-Sox took their offer off the table that what the tigers should do............. the tigers are been used for their offer to try and get a better offer from other teams.

[ajaX82]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=t ... &type=lgns

Johnny Damon, a leading man in championships in Boston and New York but, at 36, a free-agent afterthought, on Saturday agreed to a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers for about $8 million, according to a source close to the negotiations. The signing – which is pending a physical – culminated a courtship that lasted several weeks after Damon’s agent, Scott Boras, mentioned publicly that the Tigers would be an excellent fit for his client.

Damon is expected to bat leadoff and split time between left field and designated hitter. From an offensive standpoint, he essentially replaces Curtis Granderson(, who was traded to the New York Yankees two months ago in what was viewed as a payroll-trimming move. Damon, however, will be paid more in 2010 than the center fielder Granderson, a much better defensive player.

Well im glad its only 1 year, but 8 million is steep. Nonetheless it comes off the books next year with everyone else, so thats ok. If he beats leadoff and plays DH, LF im not as opposed as i once was. As long as he doesnt hinder Austin Jacksons playing time.

[kellmellus50]

The Tigers officially have Scott Boras in their back pocket.

[RustInPeace]

I'm glad that it's only 1 year. So how much are coming o the books next year? Guillen + Robertson + Maggs and who else? That's a lot.

I think Damon can help the team but he is overrated as hell. He's now coming to a park where the dimensions aren't a complete joke. I expect a sizable drop in production (like closer to his 07 year than 09 year) but he's better than nothing. So the lineup now looks like:

Damon
Jackson
Maggs
Cabrera
Guillen
Inge
Sizemore
Laird
Everett

Doesn't look that bad, but still worse than last year which is saying a lot. I really don't get why Avila isn't going to start in the majors, Laird is a ****ing scrub. Screw his defense. Same goes with Everett.

[Piston Pete]

Very happy its a 1-year deal as opposed to a 2-year deal.

Again, I hope he tears it up in the 1st half so we can trade him to a team in contention at the deadline for 2-3 good prospects....lefty bats are always in high demand at deadline time.

[cold5]

Very happy its a 1-year deal as opposed to a 2-year deal.

Again, I hope he tears it up in the 1st half so we can trade him to a team in contention at the deadline for 2-3 good prospects....lefty bats are always in high demand at deadline time.

Rays, A's (if they can do anything this year), White Sox?, Yankees, as well as a lot of other teams call you guys at the deadline about him.

[kellmellus50]

I would be willing to argue that Damon as a leadoff hitter would walk MUCH more than A.Jax would. Detroit is a team that does NOT seee enough pitches. This causes starters to stay in the game, and takes runners off the basepaths. Although getting on base is important, any good ballplayer knows that it's important for the leadoff hitter to force the pitcher to throw lots of pitches in the first inning so his teammates can get a look at what hes featuring. Damon>A.Jax for this year... dont kid yourself. I'm high on the kid, but not high

[Piston Pete]

Damon at leadoff could work....

His strikeout numbers rose last season, but his walks remained consistent with his career numbers...

If he can cut down on the K's, him at leadoff might be ideal.