OT: Johnny Damon says no to the Red Sox
Johnny Damon has said no to going to play for the Red Sox. Well done Johnny
http://www.foxsportsdetroit.com/08/24/10/Damon-says-no-to-Boston/landin…
Damon has not only said all along how much he's enjoyed playing in Detroit, but that he would like to return next season. He didn't want to seem like a liar by jumping at the chance to join a team in a better position to make the playoffs.
August 24th, 2010 at 5:00 PM ^
Damon wasn't a guy I expected loyalty from when the Tigers were attempting to sign him. It seemed in the offseason that he just went to the highest bidder. But I guess that his statements about truly caring about the team and wanting to help the younger guys were true.
He is quickly becoming one of my favorite Tigers and I hope he ends up in Detroit again next year.
August 24th, 2010 at 5:02 PM ^
that damon is staying put, but i'd really like to know who the red sox were thinking about giving up to get him...
August 24th, 2010 at 6:36 PM ^
No one. The Red Sox didn't really want him, they were just blocking Tampa Bay and/or New York from getting him for the final push into the playoffs.
August 24th, 2010 at 5:10 PM ^
I think it's great that he loves Detroit so much, but from a more pragmatic point of view, is it even in the Tigers' best interest to re-sign him? I mean he's a liability on defense because of his weak arm and his lack of range, and he's got mediocre numbers on offense. What would they be keeping him around for? To be a leader for the younger guys? That sounds great in theory, but I think they can find a veteran to fill that role for less than $8mil/year.
I don't mean to come off so harsh, but I just don't think he's much of a benefit for the team.
August 24th, 2010 at 5:13 PM ^
I think its worth it to use a roster spot on him if the price is right. The guy is a winner and still has value, but you are absolutely right, for 8M, definitely not worth it. If we can sign him for under 4-5, I'd do it. He is also respected around the league and could help to bring in a bigger fish.
August 24th, 2010 at 5:12 PM ^
I guess I like the thought, but, at this point, I'm looking for more production out of the team. We have too many outfielders who can't play D (Johnny's one of them) and don't hit well enough to be DH's. I doubt we would have gotten something spectacular, but this lineup needs changes.
August 24th, 2010 at 5:23 PM ^
I'm guessing the lineup will change in the offseason. I think the team will let Inge go and try to sign a big bat at 3rd or SS and let Peralta play the unfilled position and then hope for internal production out of the 2nd base slot in the lineup. Hopefully, they can resign Mags to a reasonable 1-year deal and let Boesch and Damon fight it out for the LF spot with the loser being the DH or being shipped off.
Doesn't sound like much, but it is a better lineup that had them in 1st in the first half of the season this year.
August 24th, 2010 at 5:28 PM ^
I agree about Inge/Mags/Peralta, but I think we're going to see Boesch and Raburn battling it out for the left field spot (assuming they re-sign Mags and he stays healthy in RF...).
Alternatively, they could try to get a solid pitcher for Inge depending on the development of their newly acquired prospect Nick Castellanos. The Tigers have a tendency to rush young prospects to the Bigs, so you never know with that. And I like Will Rhymes a lot. I think between him and Scott Sizemore, we've got a couple of good young guys to compete for second base.
August 24th, 2010 at 6:39 PM ^
I think Raburn has had his shot and his proven himself to be a 4th OF/bench guy. Maybe they can find someone within the organization to battle Boesch, but I don't see Raburn being the guy.
August 24th, 2010 at 5:18 PM ^
Kudos to Damon for saying the PC thing, but I think that what he said might be a pretext for the real reason he said no to the trade. I'm sure Damon really likes it in Detroit and would like to resign with Detroit, and I don't doubt his statements which attest to this. However, Detroit was the one who put him on his wavers to at least explore and see what the market was for him, indicative that they were at least open to moving him. I think Damon would have said yes, but he really left Boston on bad terms, leaving them for the Yankees in 2005. The guy was instrumental in bringing them a World Series in 2004, and the Boston really took to him (and his beard), and really felt betrayed when he left for the Yankees. I think Damon didn't want to head back to Boston and deal with the fact that many of the fans still hated him.
August 24th, 2010 at 6:42 PM ^
At this time of year every team places many of their veterans on waivers. You never hear about it though becuase rarely do waiver wire deals happen. It's not that Detroit doesn't want him, they are doing the right thing in keeping their options open. That's part of the game.
I do agree with you that he left Boston on bad terms and that he most likely did not want to go back.
August 24th, 2010 at 6:48 PM ^
I believe he said he would have approved a deal to the Yankees or Rays.
August 25th, 2010 at 12:04 AM ^
Red Sox fans didn't deserve Damon. They thought he'd be this heart-and-soul Red Sox (Red Sock?) for life. But the organization didn't really want to re-sign him, so he went to New York and of course Red Sox fans felt so betrayed. They're such drama queens. The guy was in Oakland before he was in Boston and KC before that. The pros ain't college. He's a player for hire just like 99.9% of the league and didn't owe Boston a damn thing, but they thought he did so they treated him like shit after he left. I wouldn't want to go back either.
August 24th, 2010 at 5:26 PM ^
The man's love of the Tigers and the game of baseball are awesome. Hope to see him back next season if the price is right.
August 24th, 2010 at 5:57 PM ^
AWESOME!!!
August 24th, 2010 at 8:28 PM ^
Damn I'm snarky tonight!
August 24th, 2010 at 7:07 PM ^
could say No to the Bosox!
August 24th, 2010 at 7:08 PM ^
Porcello Toeing the slab tonight. What are the chances the good guys make it 5 straight.
August 24th, 2010 at 8:29 PM ^
Of course the game ain't over. But looking good.
August 24th, 2010 at 7:46 PM ^
Well, according to Peter Gammons, the Red Sox actually did want him, and were not just blocking him. Half of their 40-man roster is on the DL, so they need warm bodies to play the outfield.
Oh, and in other news, Magglio needs surgery and is done for the year. No late September comeback for him.
August 24th, 2010 at 8:56 PM ^
Now it's 7-0, and looking a helluva lot better.
August 25th, 2010 at 12:37 AM ^
Thank God for professional athletes like Johnny. He's shown true class and pure love for baseball and the relationships he's made through the sport. What a genuine guy, I'm glad he's representing the Tigers organization so positively.