It was disappointing to see that Johnny Damon has joined the evil empire. Disappointing but not wholly unexpected since Johnny was on record as saying there was “not going to be any home town discount.” When all was said and done it was simply logic that turned Damon into a now loyal Yankee.
The signing sweepstakes had gotten off to a slow start after Damon’s agent Scott Boras had talked about a 7 year deal for the 32 year old outfielder. That proposal got about what you expected, a lot of laughing and no firm offers. Things took a turn for the worse for Damon over the weekend when after being on the West Coast; he was quoted as saying the Dodgers had interest.” Unfortunately the Dodgers were saying the exact opposite.
That brought us to the current situation where it was reported the Yankees would offer 4 years and 53 million but not a day beyond four years. The deal was a take it or leave it situation and since Boras and Damon could look manly going to the Yankees for less than hoped, they could not or would not do the same with the Sox unless another magic year showed up.
There can be no denying that this is a blow to the Sox in a number of different areas. Damon was a good club house guy, a very good leadoff hitter and one of the few on the team with any speed. He was a better than average defensive outfielder although his arm was no better than Bernie Williams. There are a couple of questions about his banged up shoulders but apparently not enough for the Yankees to be worried.
The already terrifying Yankee lineup becomes even more so with Damon leading off in front of Jeter followed by Sheffield, ARod, Matsui, Jiambi, Posada and Cano. It should be remembered however that there still is the reason why the season is played. In case anyone hasn’t noticed, the Yankees are sporting a 200 million plus payroll yet they have no banners since 2000. The lineup looks potent but they still have to pitch the ball every game. Johnny won’t be helping them in that department.
So it looks a little bleak for the moment and the empire is on the tip of everyone’s tongues. The fans will curse management’s ineptitude and Damon’s lack of loyalty but nobody ever won a world series in December and this deal is not likely to be the one that makes the Yanks an odds on favorite.
This was your typical mercenary type deal. Damon would play for the biggest money and if that happened to have come from Toledo he would have been expressing his happiness on becoming a Mud Hen and profess his ever lasting admiration for them.
The Sox have some money to spend and some excess pitching. With holes at shortstop and centerfield you can bet something will be done shortly. In any event, the sun will rise and the sun will set and some lucky guy will get a lot of money to “feed his family” to play centerfield in Fenway. He will be happy to be a Red Sock until he is happier to receive more money somewhere else.
