OT -- Red Sox place claim on Johnny Damon
Per ESPN, the Red Sox have placed a claim on Johnny Damon.
The Tigers basically have three options at this point (assuming Damon decides to waive his no-trade clause):
- Work out a trade with Boston to get someone in return for Damon
- Let Damon go without getting anybody in return
- Pull Damon off waivers and basically say "Sorry, just kidding."
Personally, I'd like to see the Tigers work out a trade. Obviously, I'm sure the BoSox would prefer to get him for nothing, but I think DD would be stupid to just let him go.
Edit: Also this quote from Damon, per Jason Beck from mlb.com:
"The only reason why I would be considering it is to help out this team in the future," Damon said. "I love the Tigers organization and I love the fact that they're up-front and honest. If somehow they can get a good prospect back, a player that can help this team in the future, it would be beneficial for them. I would like to remain a Tiger, so I think that's why these next hours are pretty important."
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:02 PM ^
I want us to keep him.
Best investment we made this offseason.
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:04 PM ^
clearly the best investment this offseason was Austin Jackson... definently not Johnny
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:21 PM ^
I couldn't agree more with this assessment. Austin Jackson is the frontronner for rookie of the year at this point IME, and Damon has been an average (at best) DH.
August 23rd, 2010 at 8:05 PM ^
the Yankees finally shortened Granderson's stroke and he is hot now, but he has done nothing most of the year. even his move during roll call is weak.
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:10 PM ^
I believe the Sox did this to block him from the Rays. If the front office really wants him I understand because we definitely need OF help, but it'll be hard rooting for him again, even 5 years removed from his departure.
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:25 PM ^
I think even if Johnny only plays one season in Detroit (or less, if he is indeed traded), he will be remembered in a way similar to that of Kenny Rogers, who only played here for 3 seasons but quickly became a fan favorite, and a guy who really embraced the city of Detroit and its fans.
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:57 PM ^
The Red Sox have no interest in Johnny Damon! If anyone thinks they actually want him on the roster then you're crazy.
It was just to make sure no one else will take him. No trade is going to happen. And if it does the DD is a genius for turning a profit from signing an older guy like Damon to a one year deal.
I personally love Damon and would love to see him in a Tigers uni next year.
August 23rd, 2010 at 9:01 PM ^
That very well might be their intention but they could definitely use Damon with Ellsbury being out the rest of the year. Boston isn't out of the playoffs yet.
August 23rd, 2010 at 9:06 PM ^
I think Theo's just trying to get all the pieces back and survey the scene to make a run at 2011. If the Rays picked him up they'd probably have a decent chance at re-signing him next year. I think Theo has quietly thrown in the towel for this year... not to mention Johnny Damon hates Boston.
lol.
We'll see though.
August 23rd, 2010 at 9:50 PM ^
The Yankees and Tampa are still catchable, and with Damon you really don't lose much if you are Boston. Maybe a middling prospect, maybe a little cash, but why not take a chance? The fans would probably like it, and perhaps you can re-sign him in the offseason. It's not like that outfield is full of proven stars.
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:14 PM ^
When considering Jackson you have to look at what we gave up.
Damon is the type of guy you want on any team. I was skeptical at the beginning, but am quite pleased with how it boiled down.
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:18 PM ^
when you look at what we gave up.... Curtis Granderson who has been vastly outplayed by A-Jack, and we aquired Phil Coke who has been the most consistent arm in the bullpen all year.... and max scherzer who came over from AZ in the same trade (our best pitcher overall this year) sorry Verlander
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:22 PM ^
August 23rd, 2010 at 9:57 PM ^
Jackson's OPS+ = 106
Granderson's OPS+ = 104
Jackson hits for average, Granderson for power. They're basically equal. And Jackson's BABIP is still .424, so you can't expect him to be so lucky next year.
/nerd
August 23rd, 2010 at 9:43 PM ^
As someone who lives in NY and who has to hear about the Yankees most of the time on sports radio (yeah, yeah, I know - not representative sample), the sheen on the Granderson rose has worn off quickly. He's a good outfielder and a great clubhouse guy, but he didn't suddenly learn how to hit lefties, and there is already talk about moving on. I always like Granderson as a guy, but I was somewhat happy Detroit was able to move him when they did, as that basically nabbed them Jackson, Sherzer, and Coke, three of the better players on their roster.
August 24th, 2010 at 12:20 AM ^
explain what this means? I don't follow MLB and thus don't understand waivers and whatever goes along with them
August 24th, 2010 at 9:58 AM ^
The MLB trade deadline was July 31st, basically meaning that no straight up trades could be made after that date; however, there's a thing called waivers. Teams can place players (as many as they want, as few as they want, even none) on waivers, which basically means, we're willing to part with these guys if any of you out there want them. Once a player has been placed on waivers, any team can try to claim that guy off of waivers. Once a team has made a claim on someone, the player decides if he wants to accept the claim, and then his current club has the decision to either work out a trade with the interested team, let the player go for nothing, or take the player off of waivers and keep him on their team.
In the Tigers' case, they placed Inge and Damon on waivers after the trade deadline. The Red Sox came along yesterday and said "We'd like to claim Damon." Damon has a no-trade clause in his contract; however, he can waive that clause for the Red Sox, so the decision is his whether he wants to accept Boston's claim. If he accepts, then it's Detroit's decision to either work out a trade with Boston, let Damon go for nothing, or take Damon off of waivers and end all talks post-haste.
At least, that's how I understand it. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
August 24th, 2010 at 11:35 AM ^
in short - teams let other teams know what players they're willing to part with and, in order of the teams that had previously taken players, the league gets to decide if they want to make a deal. so if a team has claimed players off waivers quickly and consistently, they drop in order. the red sox claimed damon, according to some, to keep teams lower in the order from getting him (rays, white sox (?), others). if no deal is reached between the red sox and tigers, and the tigers don't release him, no other team can make a claim.
August 24th, 2010 at 11:03 AM ^
Damon has a no trade clause from what I understand, so he has to approve the trade. Doubt he will approve a trade to Boston and as some have stated earlier, the Sox probably just claimed him to prevent him from going to the Rays.