Tigers Sign Damon - 1 yr, 8 mil; NTC

[SoxAce]

Check those teams again doc. I believe the Mariners are going with Griffey, Milton and I believe I'm missing someone else. Royals are talking Guillen, Pods and I'm missing someone. God if I have to do research on all those teams again to make a point (or find the thread that has the teams doing it which might take a while) I'm going to be very upset. <_>

[Balta1701]

Indeed. He has the range to play LF, but his arm is in Pods territory. Unless there are inferior options for LF, he's a DH now.

Actually, according to UZR, Damon's range in LF cost the Yankees 3.7 runs last year compared to the average LF as well. Not just his arm.

[SoxAce]

Actually, according to UZR, Damon's range in LF cost the Yankees 3.7 runs last year compared to the average LF as well. Not just his arm.

 

Yea and the last two years before that he saved 7 and 9 runs respectively not to mention his total UZR over the last three years in LF is a +5 from his "off year" defensively. You have to remember larger sample sizes are needed when evaluating defense. Every player can have an off year on defense just like any hitter can have an off year with the bat.

[iamshack]

Actually, according to UZR, Damon's range in LF cost the Yankees 3.7 runs last year compared to the average LF as well. Not just his arm.

What are you talking about? Just check Johnny's website. He has reached legendary status in New England and is one of the most sought-after free agents in MLB history...jeesh...I'll give you some UZR alright...

[BigSqwert]

Every player can have an off year on defense just like any hitter can have an off year with the bat.

 

But at his age that so called off year will tend to look more like the norm. (See: Jermaine Dye)

[SoxAce]

But at his age that so called off year will tend to look more like the norm. (See: Jermaine Dye)

 

If thats the case, JD has been off defensively for about 6-7 years now.. It's good either way for Damon as he would DH most of the time anyway, but he can still play LF if needed and be serviceable. (Juan Pierre is our LF) That's all I'm saying.

[shakes]

What is your basis for saying that?? It has absolutely zero merit.

 

Angels - Matsui

A's - Cust

Mariners - Griffey

Rangers - Guerrero

Indians - Hafner

Royals - Guillen

Tigers - Guillen

Twins - Kubel

Blue Jays - ??????????

Orioles - Scott

Rays - Burrell

Red Sox - Ortiz

Yankees - Johnson

 

I don't see any rotations on one other team and I think every one of those teams intends to give those guys 450-500 ABs. The Sox are the only team using this bad concept. Of all those guys listed I think only Griffey and the Blue Jays are worse than what we have. To the other person who said people are getting away from the big lumbering DH, this list also disagrees. Only Carlos Guillen (a butcher in the field) and Nick Johnson are not lumbering type guys.

 

Matsui- Scoscia has said if he is healthy he would like him to play in the outfield 2-3 times a week.

A's- Cust isn't guaranteed any at bats, and Fox may be DH'ing along with several others

Guerrero- I'll give you that one

Indians- Stuck with his horrible contract, they would love to get rid of

Royals- Ditto on contract, will also play outfield and they would trade him to anyone willing

Tigers- Guillen will absolutely be part of a rotation

Kubel- Will be a part of a rotation with Young and Thome

Mariners- Definitely a rotation

Orioles- Scott will probably be primary DH, but will play 1b and OF. May end up starting 1b. Rotating with Wiggington and others

Rays- have been trying to dump Burrell all offseason, only DH'ing if they can't move him or sign someone else

Red Sox- Stuck with contract

Yankees- Full time for Nick Johnson

 

There are a lot, if not most going to rotations, or at least trying to move on from their lumbering sluggers.

 

 

 

[Chisoxfn]

BTW, multiple sources are reporting the Sox are very much still in the mix for Damon today. It's just the Sox & Tigers now.

 

2:12pm: Jon Heyman of SI.com says via Twitter that it looks like the Damon sweepstakes will come down to the White Sox and Tigers. He says the Braves don't appear to have the money to bid.

 

2:00pm: Don't hold your breath for a Damon signing. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets that nothing is imminent with the Tigers.

 

You gotta think this 2/$14M from DET is either total BS, or Damon really doesn't wanna play there. Why else hasn't he signed?

That was classic Boras chasing $/years from Kenny. I can't see the Sox going to two years unless it's a team option.

Has anyone thought that Boras is in tight with Detroit and is actually using that to his advantage to play the Sox and get the Sox to pony up more. Detroit benefits because if it works, Boras gets the Sox to spend more dough or even walk away from the chase and Boras benefits because it either gets another team to jump in (Braves) or gets the Sox to maybe pay a bit more?

[ptatc]

Has anyone thought that Boras is in tight with Detroit and is actually using that to his advantage to play the Sox and get the Sox to pony up more. Detroit benefits because if it works, Boras gets the Sox to spend more dough or even walk away from the chase and Boras benefits because it either gets another team to jump in (Braves) or gets the Sox to maybe pay a bit more?

 

nothing would surprise me with Boras. Any scenario is feasible.

[iamshack]

Has anyone thought that Boras is in tight with Detroit and is actually using that to his advantage to play the Sox and get the Sox to pony up more. Detroit benefits because if it works, Boras gets the Sox to spend more dough or even walk away from the chase and Boras benefits because it either gets another team to jump in (Braves) or gets the Sox to maybe pay a bit more?

I have a really difficult time believing the Tigers would play along with Scott Boras to force a division rival to pay more for a FA player. If this was truly the desire of the Tigers, all they would have to do is feign interest but never show a real offer to Damon. Everyone knows Boras needs absolutely zero help in stretching the truth.

[Kalapse]

Indeed. He has the range to play LF, but his arm is in Pods territory. Unless there are inferior options for LF, he's a DH now.

 

That said, he'd be the the solid leadoff hitter that this team has been lacking for most of the past 3 years.

In terms of pure arm strength Pods is well ahead of Damon, Johnny rivals Juan Pierre for the worst in the game.

[southsider2k5]

I have a really difficult time believing the Tigers would play along with Scott Boras to force a division rival to pay more for a FA player. If this was truly the desire of the Tigers, all they would have to do is feign interest but never show a real offer to Damon. Everyone knows Boras needs absolutely zero help in stretching the truth.

 

Stop and think about that for a second. Not only does it sell to their fans that they are "trying" to land a free agent, but it also forces a rival to potentially spend more than they wanted to spend. Its genius.

[iamshack]

Stop and think about that for a second. Not only does it sell to their fans that they are "trying" to land a free agent, but it also forces a rival to potentially spend more than they wanted to spend. Its genius.

It's also collusion.

[GreatScott82]

So its between the Sox and Tigers now? He'll likely go to Detroit for a ridiculous amount of cash when its all said and done.. .

Just hope something happens soon. . tired of waiting.

[Rowand44]

Some just can't let go of the idea that a DH should be lumbering power hitter that can't play the field anymore.

I agree, we should bring Frank back out of retirement, dude was a gold glover at the designated hitter position.

[dyuen]

Matsui- Scoscia has said if he is healthy he would like him to play in the outfield 2-3 times a week.

A's- Cust isn't guaranteed any at bats, and Fox may be DH'ing along with several others

Guerrero- I'll give you that one

Indians- Stuck with his horrible contract, they would love to get rid of

Royals- Ditto on contract, will also play outfield and they would trade him to anyone willing

Tigers- Guillen will absolutely be part of a rotation

Kubel- Will be a part of a rotation with Young and Thome

Mariners- Definitely a rotation

Orioles- Scott will probably be primary DH, but will play 1b and OF. May end up starting 1b. Rotating with Wiggington and others

Rays- have been trying to dump Burrell all offseason, only DH'ing if they can't move him or sign someone else

Red Sox- Stuck with contract

Yankees- Full time for Nick Johnson

 

There are a lot, if not most going to rotations, or at least trying to move on from their lumbering sluggers.

 

Sure if you want to say that a team who does not have the same guy DH 160 games a year than all of them will be "rotating". But I don't think any of them have a specific plan to be rotating DHs.

[bigruss]

Why cant we just find a freakin good hitter who cant play the field, stick him at DH, then have a good bench so that if people need a rest its no big deal. Geesh, you dont need a rotating DH to keep people fresh. A platoon of a very strong RHP hitter and another of a LHP hitter is fine with me, but Kotsay and Jones arent exactly what I would be looking for.

Edited February 12, 2010 by bigruss22

[Rowand44]

Why cant we just find a freakin good hitter who cant play the field, stick him at DH, then have a good bench so that if people need a rest its no big deal. Geesh, you dont need a rotating DH to keep people fresh. A platoon of a very strong RHP hitter and another of a LHP hitter is fine with me, but Kotsay and Jones arent exactly what I would be looking for.

Woah that's a crazy concept.

[southsider2k5]

It's also collusion.

 

Only if Borass and the Tigers are doing it together.

[knightni]

You always have to be gentle when playing with a heyman.

Stop playing with your heyman or you'll go blind!

[whtsoxfan]

Is Boras the agent that Kenny won't deal with?

[knightni]

Is Boras the agent that Kenny won't deal with?

Normally, yes.

 

But if it is a lower-priced guy, they have been known to work out a deal sometimes.

[shakes]

Sure if you want to say that a team who does not have the same guy DH 160 games a year than all of them will be "rotating". But I don't think any of them have a specific plan to be rotating DHs.

 

White Sox, Royals, Tigers, A's, Blue Jays, O's, Mariners are all going to use multiple players to DH. The Angels will if Matsui is healthy, and the Red Sox acquired Hermida to do exactly the same if Ortiz slumps. The Rays will do the same if Burrell is bad or can be moved.

 

You don't think that's trending away from the traditional DH?

Edited February 12, 2010 by shakes

[iamshack]

Only if Borass and the Tigers are doing it together.

Well I thought that is what Jason was suggesting. He mentioned "Boras and the Tigers being in tight." I took that as meaning they were in cahoots.

 

I tried to point out in my response to him that Boras has plenty of imagination himself to do this without any help from the Tigers.

[iamshack]

White Sox, Royals, Tigers, A's, Blue Jays, O's, Mariners are all going to use multiple players to DH. The Angels will if Matsui is healthy, and the Red Sox acquired Hermida to do exactly the same if Ortiz slumps. The Rays will do the same if Burrell is bad or can be moved.

 

You don't think that's trending away from the traditional DH?

Keep in mind that the reason teams are able to platoon guys at DH recently is because of the diminished market for some of these players. Whereas in the past, it was probably more difficult to afford a platoon such as this, it seems like there are some players on the market with some special skillsets that can be had at an affordable price, allowing such platoons to become more feasible.