You wonder what becomes of Johnny Damon in 2010, after this eye-opening season. He's certainly positioned himself well in his walk year, and probably wouldn't have to settle for a one-year deal, unless he wanted to.
So, the Yankees would seem to have a dual argument about Damon.
1. Do you say goodbye and good luck, write his $13 million of your books, assume Melky will be in left, Austin Jackson will be in center, and maybe you pick up another corner OF?
2. Or do you compete for him in the market, offer him a healthy (albeit one-year) deal (with reachable incentives) and put him back in the No. 2 spot, splitting time at left field and DH (assuming you've already said goodbye to Hideki Matsui)?
Unless they have a specific plan, you'd think they have to at least consider a 2010 club with Damon playing 120-plus games.
If Matsui is gone, DH could become a spot where Joe Girardi has Damon penciled in half the time, and Posada a quarter of the time. The rest of the time, the DH would be a spot for A-Rod, Tex, etc., to get a break.
If the Yankees don't make him feel wanted (or if they just don't want him) in '10, Tampa Bay could be an obvious target, close to his home in Orlando, and a contender (that plays the Yanks 18-19 times).
Option number 2 is the way to go. Damon is on pace to hit 33 hrs, drive in 103 runs, and hit .287. An outfield of Melky, Jackson and Swish just does not have enough power or run production. In addition, with a weak FA market and almost certainly not resigning Matsui, he is a fit (both on the field and off.) The problem could be his desire to play for a few more years in pursuit of 3,000 hits; he may not go for a one year deal.
Posted by: YankFanDave | August 13, 2009 at 09:40 PM
agree that we should try to resign him. has solid numbers, and if he agrees to a more flexible, possibly reduced role, it seems like a good fit.
Posted by: john v celentano | August 13, 2009 at 10:54 PM
Is Carl Crawford a free agent or does he have a team or player option? I would think the Yanks would jump on him in a heartbeat if he were out there, and therefor say bye-bye to Damon. Have A-Jax, Melky, Crawford, Swisher, Gardner. I've been all for letting Damon and Matsui both walk eitherway, it's a way to get younger, save money. Tho I suppose I wouldn't have a problem with a 1 year deal for Damon.
Posted by: RJ | August 14, 2009 at 08:28 AM
let them both walk
Posted by: joe | August 14, 2009 at 02:30 PM
theres no debate, both these guys are playing for contracts.they are over acheiving.
Posted by: joe | August 14, 2009 at 02:32 PM
According to Cot's Contracts, Crawford has club options after this year and after 2010, just under $20 million total.
Posted by: Caldera | August 14, 2009 at 06:22 PM
Sign Matt Holliday!
Posted by: Ryan | August 16, 2009 at 04:36 AM
Get Crawford if Rays let him go (and keep him away from Boston). Let Damon and Matsui leave. Damon will be sitting and waiting a while...so also look at Holiday...but don't break the bank....we really need another top-tier starter.(will Wang ever come back?)..what pitchers are in the 2010 FA class?
Posted by: Richie | August 16, 2009 at 08:26 AM