Stark: Damon Close to Decision
by gondeee on Feb 11, 2010 3:29 PM EST
in Braves Related Free Agents
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PrintHere is Jayson Stark on the Johnny Damon situation:
Two sources told ESPN.com that the Detroit Tigers have made the largest offer, amid speculation around the industry that that bid is in the range of one year, $7 million. There were indications the sides were still discussing a possible two-year deal. But even the Tigers' one-year offer appears to be the biggest offer on the table.
The Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays have also remained in the bidding, with both teams talking about one-year contracts for fewer total dollars than the Tigers' offer. MLB.com reported that the Braves' offer was for less than $4 million. A source indicated the Chicago White Sox also have expressed late interest.
That would be not one, but two sources indicating Detroit is the leader with the largest offer. If I know the Braves, they will probably not budge from their original $4 to $5 million offer, nor should they.
[...] speculation in the industry, from people who have spoken with various principals, is that Damon will make a decision by the end of the week.
So I'm hoping this will be finally be over by Friday... or Sunday... what does he consider the end of the week?
[UPDATE 3:55pm]
From Ken Rosenthal, it appears the Tigers now become an even bigger favorite to sign Damon:
Tigers owner Mike Ilitch has authorized a two-year, $14 million offer to free-agent outfielder Johnny Damon, according to major-league sources.
Hallelujah! If two years was what Damon and Boras were waiting for, then it looks like they found it... now TAKE IT!!! Take it and let's end this misery.
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For those of you who did not want Damon, rest easy, there’s no way he doesn’t take the Tigers better offer. And apparantly they are also not opposed to giving him a two year deal, no other team is going to consider that.
I hope
you are correct. We don’t need him, imo.
When asked what aspects of Heyward’s game need improvement, one scout simply replied, "Nothing."
No JD but......
It was fun while it lasted. I was all for JD but in reality it didn’t really make sense. I would like to see Matty get more at bats this season in the outfield. Hopefully Nate bounces back and Heyward is ready for the MAjors bc I don’t want to see the “milk man” out there everyday. You know what? I rather melky then norton. Change of thought. I am ready to go
by AlRoBraves95 on Feb 11, 2010 5:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I would rather see a Cabrera/Diaz platoon anyway.
by homerlanding on Feb 11, 2010 5:22 PM EST up reply actions
Jim Bowden reports at around 4pm today: John Schuerholz just told us that he told Frank Wren that he supported the consideration of signing Johnny Damon…he says they are engaged
by AlRoBraves95 on Feb 11, 2010 5:25 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Thank Pujols!
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Feb 11, 2010 3:36 PM EST reply actions
This feels like Jack Peavy all over again
by AlRoBraves95 on Feb 11, 2010 5:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Some sources are reporting that the Braves have offered Damon $6 million for a 1 year deal and may be willing to go a little higher if necessary. I’m not saying that’s the truth, I’m just saying that this is what some sources are reporting.
I’m pretty sure the Braves don’t have 6 mill to spend, much less more than that. From an earlier report, their offer was heavily deferred, I really doubt a Borass client takes a deferred contract over one that pays it all basically right away.
by MO'toole on Feb 11, 2010 3:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
What are your sources? Can you post a link?
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Feb 11, 2010 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
You just made me take a step out onto the ledge…
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Feb 11, 2010 4:10 PM EST up reply actions
KRos at it again
This guy … ugh! He’s apparently heard from “sources” that the Tigers owner has authorized a $14 mil 2 yr deal. If that’s the case then Iilitch should fire himself! Why offer that when there is nobody else offering two years???
More than likely this is another instance where KRos heard a rumor and jumped the gun!
You aren’t the czar of typographic emphasis
Dude, don’t crush our dreams lol. Pray that he’s right an that the Tigers owner is that stupid.
by MO'toole on Feb 11, 2010 3:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Hahaha!
Well, the proof is in the pudding, so to speak. Ilitch HAS in fact done this before, as KRos mentions, with Pudge and Maggs! Not sure what “dirt” Boras has on the guy but it sure appears that he’s got him by the balls.
You aren’t the czar of typographic emphasis
mlbtraderumors says...
The Tigers have “permission” to offer 2 years at $7MM apiece. He’d be stupid not to take that one, so hopefully this means we’re off the hook.
"Baseball is the only major sport that appears backwards in a mirror." ~George Carlin
I think
Damon is a bargain at $4 mil. Maybe even $5. But more than that.. I’d rather go with Heyward and Schafer.
Go Tigers indeed! Let’s end this crap now so I can go play in the snow without any worries weighing me down!
HansonManCrush
by HansonManCrush on Feb 11, 2010 4:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
i would've really liked Damon on a 1 year deal
but 2 years, let alone $14MM is madness.
"Jason Heyward is more than the top prospect in baseball. He's the player who could transform the Braves from a modest threat into a World Series contender."
by Scott Coleman on Feb 11, 2010 4:10 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Given the situation...
…if the Tigers do get him for 2 yrs/$14 million it would make sense. Probably too much sense for it actually to happen, but….
Damon is still a solid player. He can still offer plenty of value, even $14 million worth in two years. He just isn’t that much better (or anywhere near that much better) than what we already have. He may well be that much better than what the Tigers would be running out there is they don’t sign him.
Scott is a genius! This guy is able to create a market when there isn’t a market! Since Scott is a powerful agent and represents the biggest name in baseball players, I wonder if he holds team hostage if he doesn’t get what he wants for the player that is a free agent now and not even consider that team for future signings of his clients? Just a thought!
by AlRoBraves95 on Feb 11, 2010 5:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
No it would not make sense to overpay him by that much. They are bidding against themselves in terms of years & dollars. Plus His numbers will suffer in that huge park not to mention his horrid defense will be exposed even more. The Tigers traded Granderson to save money yet are going to pay Damon more per year to be worse in about every category, especially defense. Their GM is stupid if the rumors are true.
This
I HATED the Granderson deal. Granderson is one of baseball’s few real class acts, and I hated to see him join the evil empire. Plus I’m in a fantasy keeper league where the rule has been No Yankees since year one, so I can’t keep him this year despite the great year he hd for me last year.
/rant. Why they would rather have Damon than Grandy though is beyond me. This is, though, the guy that’s been known to way oversign his own players (see Ordonez, Magglio and Cabrera, Miguel), so who knows what he’s thinking. He clearly is not a rational being.
Boras does it again.
It looked like he completely screwed this one up with Damon, but now on top of the Tigers’ apparent offer, two tweets (twits?!) are saying that the White Sox and Tigers are now in a bidding war. Amazing.
two tweets (twits?!)
You are correct, sir. The tweets are the posts, the twits are the ones making them.
Yeah...
…the twits comments was based on the people who made them and my thoughts on their reliability. ;)
If that offer is correct...
The Tigers are totally getting screwed. The rumored Braves offer of $2 million now and $2 million deferred sounds about right given our budget and interest. The Tigers are getting screwed over if they give up 2/14 for him.
This is another topic but I’d use this as an example to our friend JC Bradbury over at Sabernomics who says there is no such thing as a GM getting taken advantage of. I don’t care how you value players, paying someone $14 million when nobody else wants to offer more than $2 million is just dumb.
wow gondee ...
Never seen you take such a vehement stand against a FA acquisition, at least not from what I can recall reading.
I’m ready to move on, 7 days until pitchers and catchers report.
Founder and Proud Member of the JASON SNELLING AIN'T ALL THAT AND A BAG O' CHIPS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
So, if Damon was our Ken Griffey, Jr. this year (LFer we flirt with signing, then have him go somewhere else), who is going to be this year’s FUGA (horrible LF pickup that hurts the team, made just for the sake of signing someone)?
doesn't really qualify with his salary ...
but Hinske?
Founder and Proud Member of the JASON SNELLING AIN'T ALL THAT AND A BAG O' CHIPS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
We already have Hinkske and he is actually a pretty good bench player.
I’m talking a signing to make up for the PR of losing out on Damon, a guy with some “name value” that is still available. A real professional hitter. Jermaine Dye.
I misread what you wrote (thought you were talking about players we'd already signed)
My bad. I’m not down on Hinske, more like disappointed with his relative mediocrity in spite of his supposed potential, if that makes sense.
Founder and Proud Member of the JASON SNELLING AIN'T ALL THAT AND A BAG O' CHIPS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Well, if the Braves want to overcome any negative PR they’re getting over missing out (there’s only positive thoughts around here it seems) over Damon, they should just start Heyward in RF. Then they can sell him at the end of spring, saying “He already looks like a better hitter than Damon ever was, so we don’t feel like we missed out.”
That’s how to beat this.
horrifying
I had not really considered the possibility that this was anything more than an obsession with Damon. If they try to pursue another OF, that is a sure sign that they do not have confidence in Diaz as an everyday outfielder. That would be unfortunate.
by hollerin' brave on Feb 11, 2010 7:23 PM EST up reply actions
hopefully
Gomes Jermaine Dye
FTFY
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
No, he's much more than that.
Dye is unusable in the OF (as in, twice as bad as FUGA was last year, consistently for the past four years) and his bat has declined. He’s a DH at best.
Word fail
He’s much worse than that is what I meant. Dye is this years FUGA.
i hope not
Even if Heyward is doing TERRIBLE in ST i would rather an OF of Diaz/McLouth/Cabrera
by drumzalicious on Feb 12, 2010 6:12 PM EST up reply actions
Jon Heyman says that the Tigers have 1 and 2 year offers on the table. He also thinks that we’re still in on the bidding …
So he's clearly an idiot...
if a 2 year offer is on the table, why have a 1 year offer out there, especially if both are for 7m a season. Maybe if it was like 1/$7m or 2/$12m.
maybe he doesn't like Detroit/really likes the prospect of playing for Bobby?
Not saying it’s right, just that there may be a few more variables aside from cost and contract length.
Founder and Proud Member of the JASON SNELLING AIN'T ALL THAT AND A BAG O' CHIPS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
I was referring to the comment of...
“the Tigers have 1 and 2 year offers on the table”, outside of different per season $ values (and 1/$7m vs. 2/$14m isn’t that), it makes no sense for the Tigers to have both of those offers on the table as the 2/$14m is obviously the choice.
fingers crossed
Braves managemt is completely incompetent if they get into a bidding war with this nonsense. $14m / 2 will get you .270, 10 HR, 15 steals over 2. And that’s a FAIL.
I just hope Lwe can get a sub 4 ERA
by nathan rothschild on Feb 11, 2010 5:15 PM EST reply actions
yikes ... exaggerate much?
Damon still has value, just not on this club. Relax friend, I think the Tigers have him locked up.
Founder and Proud Member of the JASON SNELLING AIN'T ALL THAT AND A BAG O' CHIPS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Damon would've been great
would’ve led our team in HRs last year, and been near the top of our team in both Avg & OBP. why not sign Damon and trade Melky, who is only marginally better defensively but worse at everything else than Damon? how many years of horrible offense, a fragile chipper jones, and a leading HR hitter with barely 20 HRs is it going to take for people to realize that Melky, Troy Glaus and Eric Hinske are not the answer?
i agree that 2 yrs/ $14M is too much, but the raging anti-Damon sentiment here makes very little sense.
You do realize that the only reason the great and almighty Johnny Damon only put up those home run numbers last year because he was in Coors East right? If you don’t, you’re either dumb as a brick or a Met’s fan, and if you’re a Met’s fan, your both.
by MO'toole on Feb 11, 2010 6:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You know what REALLY doesn’t make any sense? Thinking that Damon’s power numbers are not a product of Coors East.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Feb 11, 2010 9:40 PM EST up reply actions
If you watch highlights from this past season, a lot of those home runs he hit at Yankee stadium look like routine pop outs to right field, so yeah definately a product of Coors East as its being called now ( I think its fiting.)
Exactly – kind of like the HR that Nick Green hit in Fenway to beat us earlier last season.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Feb 11, 2010 10:08 PM EST up reply actions
trying to forget that
please dont bring it up
by drumzalicious on Feb 12, 2010 12:52 AM EST up reply actions
Finally A stop to all this nonsense about Damon
The Braves would only just waste money on him, plus leave us with Melky starting waaaaaayyyy too much. Thank goodness Damon is not going to sign with the Braves. Now we can all start arguing about if we use Melky more than a 4th OF then we should have kept Francoeur. Their batting stats aren’t much different, except to say Melky at least walks more.LOL Diaz is going to have a breakout year and exceed everyone’s expectations.
Senator, we have another old saying,"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." Fletcher
Melky’s numbers are similar to Frenchy’s…that is very true. The difference is that Melky will be our 4th OFer (by June at the latest), and Frenchy was a key piece in our offense last year, starting every damn day.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Feb 11, 2010 9:41 PM EST up reply actions
I agree. I don’t understand all the negative comments about a guy who is always in the post-sea and AlWAYS produces in the post-season…i haven’t read one logical/good point that has led me to believe Damon would not help this team win. And really all these comments about what he’s worth and how much money ATL has…really none of us have any idea…Liberty Media could have easily made funds available without anyone ever knowing about it….maybe Wren made a weak to medium offer to Damon on purpose…knowing Detroit or some other team would trump it…only later to increase the original offer…so not to blow his wad all at once type deal…this is poker at its best!
by Nova Scotia Steve on Feb 11, 2010 10:06 PM EST via mobile reply actions
What part of sucky defense, declining power, declining speed, not better than anyone currently on the roster, or in general, unecessary spending of money that we may need later is not logical?
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Feb 11, 2010 10:10 PM EST up reply actions
Sucky defense: yes
Declining power: who cares, he’s a lead-off hitter
Declining speed: again, not important. he wouldn’t get the green light from Cox anyways
Not better than anyone on the roster: false, we have no lead-off hitters
Unnecessary spending: we offered 4 mil with 2 of that deferred. that wouldn’t break the bank
1. Glad we agree on that one. Why would you want someone who makes your team worse though?
2. Sadly, most people look at his 20+ HRs and think it makes him valuable and worth the money.
3. Declining speed – again, it is one of his draws. I agree that he wouldn’t get green lights, but for some reason, people think he will be a base-stealing threat.
4. Not better than anyone – True. He is not better than anyone. He doesn’t make the team better. He is worse on D, and will not provide anything that people on the roster currently cannot provide. Having a “legit” leadoff hitter is overrated. Just put a good hitter in the 1 and 2 spot, and you will be fine.
5. Rumors are that we are prepared to up the offer to $6M. Even at $4M, that is quite a price tag for someone who the team doesn’t need. The smart thing to do is to wait until June/July to see what the team needs.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Feb 12, 2010 11:35 AM EST up reply actions
I saw that too and If we in fact have up to $6 M available flexibility, that is an awesome bit of news on the rosterbation front.
There certainly may be some opportunities for adding really helpful pieces via trade either at the end of spring camps or mid-season.
Of course, given all the fawning over JD, until he is finally off the board, I will not rest easy.
It probably doesn’t matter anymore since we obviously aren’t offering enough to compete but I think our offer of $2 mil now and $2 mil later would not have hampered our ability to add a piece later. I could be wrong but that’s the feeling I get looking at their salaries right now.
If that’s true then I would have been willing to take him on because I strongly believe you can’t just put someone in the lead-off spot. It takes a certain type of hitter to succeed and the use of certain skillsets such as a patient approach can really improve the productivity of the rest of the lineup. I love Diaz but I don’t think it’s smart to put a hack first player in the lead-off spot. Therefore I think having Damon in the lead-off spot would in fact improve our team.
Oh, and I am 100% confident that FW isn’t looking at HR or SB in his reasoning for signing Damon so the people you say who argue those points don’t matter. Those elements shouldn’t be in the equation.
Liberty Media is not a hands on onwer like Ted Turner was, and like Mike llitch seems to be for the Tigers. The desicion will be made by Frank Wrenn, Schurholtz (sp?) and maybe Bobby, oh yeah and Damon/Boras of course. And its not that we think Damon is an awful player, its that he isnt an upgrade in any way, and will ultimately slow down the development od Diaz, Heyward, and Schaefer. All three are guys who could play a vital role in the future of this franchise.
Ok So....
I was reading on the Tiger’s Blog and the fans there seem to be for signing Damon. The moderator seems to be as firmly against it as gondee is, but the majority of the fans seem to like it. Earlier I made a quick comment saying that Damon is a good fit in Detroit (to which someone left a condescending reply) and I believe the fans in Detroit see this also. Its weird to imagine it but he could be their DH and leadoff hitter (Im not sure who all they have on the team right now.)
I’m not sure who all is in the mix for them either but I had the same thought, that if you could hide him at DH he’d be a good option as a leadoff hitter, especially in the offense first AL. But still, way too much money if they’re gonna give him 7 million.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
Thank God!
More money, 2 years, a better chance at making the playoffs (not knocking the Braves, just a crappy division in the AL Central), staying in the American League, going back to a division he’s played in before, there is no way Damon goes to ATL. At least all this talk has distracted me from my “will Glaus get hurt” anxiety.
Well
To the Tigers Damon could actually be worth the 14mil they are offering. The difference between them and us is that he would be able to DH and not hurt them in the OF with us his bat doesnt out weigh his glove.
And Damon's defense isn't that bad in left field...
…and, IIRC, the Tigers don’t have any great options in left. The reason Damon doesn’t help us is that he would replace Diaz, who is not appreciably worse than Damon.
HAOOOO
This is fantastic news. Damon will certainly take the 2yr 14 offer. He is obviously money hungry or he would have resigned with the Yanks if it was about winning.
well
damon is better than melky. and while his HR numbers may be inflated, he did hit more doubles than Diaz, and he gets on base a lot more than melky. there is little evidence suggesting we’d be worse off with Damon, he’d only be a positive to the ball club (just not at $7 per year)
Except for that pesky part of the game where people have to catch balls that the other team hits.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Feb 12, 2010 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
There question isn't whether we'd be worse off with Damon...
…the question is whether we would be better off with Damon. And I just don’t see how he is $4 or $6 or $7 million dollars better than Matt Diaz.
Diaz is a non issue, he’s not going to be getting those PA if we sign Damon or not. Bobby sees him as a platoon player, that’s what he’s going to be used as.
I think Bobby, should we sign Damon, would see Damon as the every day LF, thus taking away the platoon ABs from Diaz and relegating him to 4th/5th OF status.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Feb 12, 2010 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
he is
$3M better than Melky, especially if we get a prosepct out of it…
the guy isn’t andruw in his prime, but acting like he’s that horrible defensively isn’t accurate, especially compared to our other options.
also, he IS better than other players on the team, especially in the area where the team is really weak: offense. even if he declines some, he’d still be a more productive hitter than most of our lineup.
Most of our lineup? Try maybe 1 or 2 people instead….
Offensively speaking:
Damon > McLouth (unless you think Nate’s power makes up for his lower OBP)
Damon < Prado
Damon <<<< Chipper
Damon <<<< McCann
Damon <<<< Escobar
Damon < Cabrera
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Feb 12, 2010 2:02 PM EST up reply actions
Damon < Prado
The sky is falling! The sky is falling!! justin gave Prado credit for something!
"Matt Diaz is a baseball player."-Joe Simpson
I like to think that I am open-minded about most things, and give credit where credit is due.
I am still skeptical, but like JJ, until Prado proves otherwise, I have to go with him for now – especially since he is our only option.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Feb 12, 2010 2:42 PM EST up reply actions
I really don't think Melky is better than Damon
I think Damon may be worth the $4 million, but honestly if we don’t sign him it won’t really matter. Damon is fine if we don’t give him 6 or 7 million, but he’s awful if we do give him that.
I don’t really like Damon either, so I’d rather not have him.
Headlining the Campaign for the return of Ryan Langerhans! MVP 2011!
by RichmondBraves on Feb 12, 2010 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
That was a typo. I meant to say that Damon is better than Melky.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Feb 12, 2010 2:41 PM EST up reply actions
But he won't take AB's from Melky.
He’ll take them from Diaz. Unless you, lennox (in post above), thinks that Cox doesn’t plan on playing Diaz much anyway. Melky is the fourth OF. Replacing your fourth OF with a starting left fielder leaves the team with too many left fielders and no fourth OF—-Diaz, who is really only capable of playing left is not a good fit for left field.\
Yes, I know a lot of places are projecting 550+ AB’s for Melky for the Braves this year (assuming we don’t sign Damon). If that is truly the plan, well, then we probably deserve to lose.
signing Damon
just seems like something the Mets should be thinking about…..
we have several options that may or may not be better (I think so, at least as good anyway) than Damon, but they are all Braves’ type players IMO, most are homegrown or played for small market teams for the majority of their career. Damon feels like more of a second rate hand-me-down.
Melky doesn’t count ‘cause we traded Vasquez for one of their ’top prospects’….in my mind at least.
Cheers
http://twitter.com/SI_JonHeyman/status/9023777909
still looks like an AL Central battle for damon. #braves apparently dont have the funds to compete. #tigers, #chisox
about 20 hours ago from web
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