Could Johnny Damon come back to haunt the Yankees as a member of the Red Sox?
According to Several sources, the Boston Red Sox have claimed Johnny Damon on waivers. It remains to be seen whether the Red Sox and Tigers can work out a deal, or if Detroit will simply let Damon go in a salary dump, but if the prodigal son of Red Sox Nation does return to Boston, the final two weekends of the season will be that much more interesting.
Of course, Damon must also waive his no trade clause in order to make the reunion possible, and based on some of his comments, that might not be a given. Apparently, Damon has grown tired of being a baseball nomad (which, incidentally, is the backwards spelling of his last name).
I had a great time playing there. But I think once it was apparent that I wasn’t a necessity to re-sign there, it started to get ugly. And that’s why I’ve got to think long and hard. I have to think if they do have a strong chance to make the playoffs with the guys beat up there. I have to think long and hard if I’m going to once again be probably one of the nicest guys in baseball, but be once again the most hated guy in baseball. That’s what it boils down. You guys see how I get booed in every ballpark already.” – Johnny Damon, as quoted on ESPN.com
One place Johnny Damon wasn’t booed this season was at Yankees Stadium. During last week’s return to the Bronx, Damon was greeted with a standing ovation in his first at bat. If Damon does wind up back in Boston, however, that reception could be a lot different during the weekend of September 24 when the Red Sox make their final trip to the Bronx.
As much as Yankees fans would like to avoid seeing Damon return to the Stadium with Boston written across his chest, no one has more to lose from the reunion than GM Brian Cashman. During last week’s series against the Tigers, Damon commented about how the difference between the two rivals has been the Yankees always pay their own players, before noting that he was the one exception. Well, if traded to Boston, Damon would have the perfect opportunity to make Cashman regret that decision.
Here we are almost a year later and in 1st place. The irrational types still cling to an old OF with a poor glove and deteriorating bat. If the reports are true, Cashman made Damon a MORE than fair offer and Damon refused. I don’t see why Cashman would have any regrets though Damon might. Cashman haters typically ignore the facts and make themselves look foolish. One time I would like one of them to explain why they are so unreasonable. Until then I will continue to consider them a waste of air.
I am not sure why the Yankees place in the standings is relevant. They would be a better team with Damon than Nick Johnson. Also, considering Johnson’s injury history, you could easily make the case that there was still room for Damon even after signing him (when you add up the cost of Winn, Berkman and Kearns it pretty much equals Damon’s salary anyway).
Damon isn’t without blame, but according to reports, he did come back to Cashman after he realized he misread the market. At that point, something could have been done. I am a Cashman backer, but his offseason was pretty weak (he was due for one). I don’t see the harm in pointing that out. Letting Damon go wasn’t an egregious mistake, but if Johnny had come back to haunt the Yankees in a Red Sox uniform, you can bet Cashman would have had regrets.