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November 07, 2007
Yanks: Damon To Play LF In 2008
From Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe -
Johnny Damon just pulled up to the hotel here at the GM Meetings in his brand new Ferrari. He said he met with new Yankees' manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman and received assurances that he would be the Yankee left fielder next season.
Damon has been the subject of trade rumors (to the White Sox) and understands he's not out of the woods yet, especially if someone blows the Yankees away. But he said he has a no trade clause to 18 teams but he wouldn't stand in the Yankees' way if they needed to deal him.
Damon lives in Orlando and came to the hotel on the invitation of Girardi, who wanted to meet with him. Damon wasn't in the best of shape when he came to spring training last year, and conditioning was a likely topic. The Yankees understand Damon's value at the top of the order.
Damon hit .296/.364/.450 in the second half of the season this year. If he can do that over the full-season next year, the Yankees would be thrilled.
The biggest news here is that this means Giambi is at first base or the bench - since Matsui would DH with Damon in LF. I wonder which spot the Yankees are planning to use Giambi? Now, that's something I would like to hear now too.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at November 7, 2007 02:48 PM
Comments
Kind of a mixed message from Damon?He won't stand in their way for a trade?Hmmmm....sorry,he's a keeper.As for Giambi, he can share first base with Phillips and DH with Matsui.Giambi can be worthwhile if he hits 75% of his old production.Without Arod,the production suffers BUT a team based more on pitching and defense can overcome some of the offensive shortcomings.
Posted by: butchie22 ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 7, 2007 03:33 PM
Pete Abe had the same info. It's almost kind of odd to hear them say "Hey, don't worry, you're our leftfielder." Because what if someone DOES offer up something good? What if some dumb team that wants a vet is willing to take his salary and give up a decent kid in return? Wouldn't the Yankees jump at that deal?
It does also reveal that the Yankees don't see Matsui as a viable fielder anymore -- and he really hasn't been since his first year in the league (they made Damon take balls at first; maybe they should start doing the same with Matsui).
Going into the year with Giambi as a first baseman seems absurd at this point: not only because of his lack of range, but because it means an inevitable injury. But even the Yankees can't have a twenty-million-dollar bench player. Can they...?
They also have Shelley Duncan to add into the mix.
Posted by: baileywalk at November 7, 2007 03:38 PM
--sorry,he's a keeper--
At 13 million? Not a chance. It's an awful contract and he's an old player breaking down. If the yankees can get something decent back they'd love to get rid of his contract. They tried at the half way point of the season, they'll try now.
However, it's doubtful anyone will want to pay him 13 million so the yankees will be stuck with him. In that way, he is a 'keeper'.
Posted by: jakes at November 7, 2007 03:48 PM
Hey Jason, come on, we're going for a long ride in the country. . .
Posted by: rbj at November 7, 2007 03:52 PM
-However, it's doubtful anyone will want to pay him 13 million so the yankees will be stuck with him. In that way, he is a 'keeper'.-
Mate,compared to Matsui and Giambi , his offensive, defensive, and baseball smarts have not diminished as much as the other two.What is more criminal,the Yankees paying $13 million for a player that can still field his position and come through in the playoffs or someone who makes $23 million whose only real use is a part -timer?You're telling me that Matsui is worth the same $13 million that Damon is making at this point?What has Matsui done in the playoffs the last few years since and during the 2004 debacle?Damon has played much better and has a ring to show for it!
Posted by: butchie22 at November 7, 2007 04:11 PM
Phillips at 1st? Let's see what Duncan has, 'cause we know what Phillips has.
Posted by: Don at November 7, 2007 10:34 PM