Johnny Damon finally has a home, signing a one year 8 million dollar deal with the Detroit Tigers. This isn’t quite the 2 year deal he was hoping for, but still 8 million isn’t bad. Damon should be happy. So should the Tigers.
Damon of course would have liked to stay with the Yankees as his swing is built for their park, but somehow the Yankees have suddenly become fiscally conscious. I’m still surprised that the Yankees couldn’t fine 7-8 million to toss Johnny D’s way, but apparently the Yankees thought it was time to go in another direction in left. Who knows maybe if things don’t go well for the Yanks and the Tigers Damon could be a midseason rental for the Yankees. For now though Damon is wearing a Tigers uniform.
Damon gives the Tigers a big bat at the top of their order. He still knows how to get on base, batting .282 last year with a very respectable .365 on base percentage. Damon has some good pop, hitting a career high 24 homeruns last year. Sure some of these round trippers were aided by Yankees stadium but he’ll still hit a good share (I’m guessing 15-18) from that lead off spot. Damon is still a fair bet to steal double digits worth of bases. Expect Damon to mostly DH but to also get in his innings in left field. He’s not a terrible outfielder, but he’ll be turning 36 this year and the knees aren’t what they were when he was 26. Plus his throwing arm, which was always his biggest weakness certainly isn’t getting better with age.
Damon supposedly had offers or at least interest from the Braves, White Sox and Rays. All three of those teams like the Tigers have a chance of getting into the playoffs. With Damon’s fielding woes I couldn’t see him on the Braves but I thought the White Sox and Rays could also have been good fits. I am guessing the Tigers simply offered the most money.
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