Johnny Damon: "I'm not going," "I love playing for Detroit."
by Kurt Mensching on Aug 24, 2010 4:29 PM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
Email
PrintJohnny Damon told the media (as first reported by MLB.com's Jason Beck):
"I'm not going."
Damon had told the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo earlier in the day he planned to speak with the Tigers' front office this afternoon about his playing time in Detroit and a few other issues. Apparently the team told him what he wanted to hear.
So a little more than 24 hours after it began, it appears Boston's waiver claim on Damon is all for nothing.
Good.
Updates as necessary.
5:15 p.m. update:
A few more comments from Damon"
"Going to Boston could have helped out my free agency for next year, but so be it." (via DetNews.com's Tom Gage)
"I'm not going to jump ship on these guys. That's the easy way out." (via DetNews.com's Bob Wojnowski)
Previous coverage:
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its more that he hates Boston
2010 Red Sox Playoffs.... We Can Do It!
"That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
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by bestbostonsports on Aug 24, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Not that he doesn't have a reason to.
Sox fans were kinda brutal to him after the whole Yankee thing.
If I was your math homework I'd be really hard and you'd be doing me on your desk.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
by TheLoneDavid on Aug 24, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
I never belived in booing him. He took more money, who can blame him?
I was kinda hoping we got him back, but oh well.
2010 Red Sox Playoffs.... We Can Do It!
"That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
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by bestbostonsports on Aug 24, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn't really want him back.
If I was your math homework I'd be really hard and you'd be doing me on your desk.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
by TheLoneDavid on Aug 24, 2010 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I liked seeing Kalish in the field.
Hopefully Reddick is up in September
If I was your math homework I'd be really hard and you'd be doing me on your desk.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
by TheLoneDavid on Aug 24, 2010 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes
I really like Kalish, but Damon in LF would have been a boost. I like Reddick also, but after seeing him a lot I do not believe he is MLB ready yet
2010 Red Sox Playoffs.... We Can Do It!
"That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
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by bestbostonsports on Aug 24, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
You and I disagree about Boston's chances though.
I really think they should focus on getting healthy and getting their young guys some experience for next year. Getting Damon goes in the opposite direction of that.
If I was your math homework I'd be really hard and you'd be doing me on your desk.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
by TheLoneDavid on Aug 24, 2010 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Selfish
If he really cared about the tigers, he’d put in a few weeks with Boston and help out their minor league system.
I know Tiger fans are big on perceived loyalty and have a need to be loved, but this is ridiculous. Damon had a chance to help this franchise out and passed.
I like him for what he said and the role he’s played but this selfishness takes the shine off. Actions speak louder…
what kind of prospect do you think the Tigers would actually get for a short rental?
by Kurt Mensching on Aug 24, 2010 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions
This.
Anyone the Tigers would have gotten in this deal would have been of the Cruceta mold or worse.
The overwhelming majority of prospects don’t work out. That goes X10 for any prospect unloaded in a waiver deal.
+1
Hell, offer him arb and hope he walks if you want prospects. But you’re not getting anything above a C guy for a short-term rental.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
Daniel Fields is better than you.
by David Tokarz on Aug 24, 2010 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
I’m curious what the chances of offering arb are? Dumbrowski balked on Polly last year, but we had a good prospect waiting on that position. That’s not really the case with Damon. I wonder what he’s ask in arbitration? Maybe 12M…the Tigers might offer 6-8. Arbitration would be interesting. With as much money coming off the books as there is, we can probably afford to offer arbitration and spend 10M on a 1-year deal if it comes to that. I’m not saying we should throw money around, but Damon has been worth 8M this year (in my mind).
Granderson was my Tiger, then Sizemore, then Willis. Since they're all gone, I'm taking Raburn and hoping the pattern holds.
See
I see arbitration as a formality if we want to retain Damon. The reason DD offered arbitration to both Lyon and Rodney is because he thought that in the worst case, only one of the two would accept. So this could be his way of ensuring that Damon stays in Detroit or, barring that, we get picks.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
Daniel Fields is better than you.
by David Tokarz on Aug 25, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
True
And it seems to me that arbitration usually results in a raise. For Damon, I expect the market to be similar to last season, where he was strapped to find suitors and a decent paycheck until the end. He would most likely accept arbitration since it would mean a possible raise and a contract without having to sell himself again. I can’t imaging that he enjoyed his long off-season looking for a place to play.
Granderson was my Tiger, then Sizemore, then Willis. Since they're all gone, I'm taking Raburn and hoping the pattern holds.
Not sure, but its beside the point
Anything is better than nothing. Damon sticking around in September doesn’t help the franchise. This is a time when younger OF should be getting in work anyway.
9 games back
Be a fan and dream.
Granderson was my Tiger, then Sizemore, then Willis. Since they're all gone, I'm taking Raburn and hoping the pattern holds.
I am just mad because...
This means our sentimental owner will probably dish out around $7 million to Damon next year as a reward…
watch
and thats bad?
He has a .360 obp, speed, bats left handed, and a little pop. Plus he is a guys who brings good moral to the clubhouse and doesn’t bitch and moan about being fb. You want more from a number 2? You guys bitch so much some times.
by BeardedPlayoffJesus19 on Aug 24, 2010 5:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Right on.
Granted, he’s not playing completely up to his potential… but he’s a good hitter, and a great leader/role model for our young ball club. We could do much worse.
Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Drink, and Fight!
by Brand New Hero on Aug 24, 2010 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
Almost about everything (even though I’m probably one of the ones that whines too much).
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
Daniel Fields is better than you.
by David Tokarz on Aug 24, 2010 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't forget the funky hairstyles.
I can’t stress this enough, people. Look good, play good. Mohawks all around (again!).
by frisbeepilot on Aug 25, 2010 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Damon staying is a good thing
sign him to a 2 year deal. the money should be available with the pending retirement/release of Carlos (DL) Guillen. Damon fits the perfect mold of a #2 hitter- every time I see him he’s on second base. He moves the runner and/or is on base. Sure he has a limp noodle for an arm (and an average at best glove) but he can play the field if called upon and get the job done.
I’d get rid of the following veterans for the 2011 season:
Laird, Guillen, Santiago, Miner, & Zumaya.
That's insane
Just to touch on one of those names quickly. I’ll take whatever we can get from Zumaya. Period!
It’s not really Zachs fault but like Seay he is also probably done in Detroit. Bonine has claimed the mop-up role.
by JAYRC on Aug 24, 2010 5:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Santiago?
Why get rid of Santiago? He is perfect for the role he plays. Unless I am wrong, he is cheap, can play most infield positions, and is not going to kill you at the plate. Yes, let Laird go. Yes, let Guillen go. I would give Miner the benefit of the doubt and see what he can do next year since he had Tommy John. Zoom Zoom…(sigh) hurts to say it, but he might have to go. He has just been too injury prone to be counted on as the closer we all wished he could be. I would try to resign Inge for FAR less than what he is making now. I would resign Damon for another year, and also resign Maggs. I think we could get him for 9-10 mil, which is about 5 mil less than what we would have paid him had he not gotten hurt. Our major need is Left field and Shortstop. Boesch will not start next year for the Tigers. His HOT 2 months does not replace his career stats in the minors.
Why let Zumaya go?
He’s arb eligible, so he’ll be cheap next year (I don’t remember the exact figures, but he cost less than $1 million this season — about half of what Everett made) and then his contract is up. It’s not like they could move him or anything. Offer him arbitration and let him come into spring training with a chance. Worst case scenario is that he ends up hurt again and the Tigers have to cut him loose, but would they really be worse off then they were before?
I'm really torn.
I really like Zumaya as a fan. I know he will not cost the Tigers anything next year. I guess I don’t want to be let down as a fan if he gets hurt again. I would like for nothing more than to have him get through a year and not get hurt, but it just hasn’t happened. I guess we can keep him, but the talk of him being the furture closer would need to cease forever. Everyone knows that if he comes back and starts pitching well, it will be brought up again.
classy move
We wouldn’t have gotten much in return.
He has said before that he digs being a player/coach to the young guys. Good let him continue to mentor these jits.
Hopefully in return he gives us a break and returns for 4-5 MM next season.
by JAYRC on Aug 24, 2010 5:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I like Johnny and I want to like Johnny and I want him to stay--
—but here’s what’s nagging me. The reason Red Sox fans feel so betrayed is because he said that he would never leave Boston for New York. And then he did. (Please tell me, someone, if I’ve got that story wrong) And now he’s saying that he loves the D. Which he should, of course, but if he turned on Boston fans, couldn’t he do it to us too?
maybe the Red Sox took that to mean they should low ball him
maybe he shouldn’t have said that, but he’d have been silly to turn down the Yankees’ deal compared to the Sox’ offering
by Kurt Mensching on Aug 24, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice
Damon is a great clubhouse guy. He’s absolutely worth keeping around to finish out his career since he’s such a good influence on the kids. Especially with Magglio on his way out we don’t have any real veteran leadership for the position players next year. The vets we do have just aren’t really the role model types (I’m looking at you, Carlos). Damon brings as much to the team off the field as he does on it, maybe more.
I Agree. Johnny Should Retire A Tiger
I agree with you all the way. I hope he stays with the Tiger until he retires. He brings more to the club than a bat & glove, leader/sportsman ship. Hell, he has more faith in this team right now than most of these fans in here. I was just talking with a friend about this team & our schedule & the Twinns schedule. We still have a chance at the title. The Twinns & White Sox had their runs, now its our turn. I hope we take it from the Twinns on the last day of the season like they did to us last year & in 2006. Of course both were our fault, but still I hope we do it.
I still have the faith.
& Keep Damon.
Thanks Johnny…..
by TigersFan1957 on Aug 25, 2010 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions
If anything
this is a big PR boost for the Tigers in the players eyes, which could be huge for the FA class. Granted, it may look like he hates Boston, but he’s been saying he wants to play in Detroit for about a week now, I saw it first in a Beck article. While we need depth more than most teams, any minor leaguer we would have gotten would have been a marginal boost.
good point
Actually, the positive PR could be a significant benefit. Almost no one actually wants to come to Detroit (all things being equal) so they usually have to overpay. By being known as a class franchise, they offset that competitive disadvantage just a little bit.
Still, “Hey, Johnny liked it” probably doesn’t factor significantly into the decision for anyone.
Marginal prospect?
Maybe…but we don’t know what the return would have been.
Anyway, sometimes lightly regarded prospects end up being major league contributors.
Getting something for Damon is better than nothing.
I agree.
Think back to the end of the ‘03 season: save for the ’62 Mets, there had actually never been a crappier ball club in the past century than the Tigers, and they’d stunk for a while. Then, Pudge Rodriguez signs — we’re talking somewhat-close-to-his-prime Pudge here, nothing to sneeze at, for sure — and things get a whole lot brighter because of that. After that, guys started to realize that hey, this might not be so bad a place to come to… then you get Guillen, Ordonez, Rogers and a bunch of other great pickups*, eventually culminating in Miguel Friggin’ Cabrera, arguably the scariest hitter in baseball, on our team, for crying out loud! (Not to mention a World Series appearance.) Not the Yankees, not the Cardinals, not the other, flashier locales. We got him in the Motor City, of all places!
Arguably, then, all this (recent, relative) success started with one guy, Ivan Rodriguez, who agreed to come here. Is Johnny Damon’s apparent vote of confidence something of a repeat of what Pudge did, years ago? I can’t say for certain, but it sure can’t hurt.
* They haven’t all been winners, of course; you can list your favourite duds here (Jones, Renteria, Willis, the list goes on). But hey, that’s baseball for ya.
by frisbeepilot on Aug 25, 2010 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions
money where his mouth is
Damon should put his money where his mouth is an sign an extension before the end of the season. I wouldn’t begrudge him if he didn’t, but for someone who talks about being so devoted to Detroit, I think it would be a great move.
Grand Cards: A blog for Tigers Cardboard and Commentary
so Damon will be recruiting free agents to sign in Detroit then?
Every day each of us says the dumbest thing we are going to say that day.
qwantz.com
Damon would have saved 1.8 million
I think that’s a lot better reason to let him go that any prospect they may have gotten in return. Assuming the 1.8 million is re-invested in the team, it’s more money to spend on free agency. For all the Damon lovers, maybe would could offer him 6.8M next year instead of 5M.
That being said, I’m glad he stayed. A) I’m still a fan and whether I write this season off or not, I’ve got 6 more weeks of baseball that I will enjoy more with Damon on my team and B) I appreciate the positive comments from Damon.
Granderson was my Tiger, then Sizemore, then Willis. Since they're all gone, I'm taking Raburn and hoping the pattern holds.
I'm not so impressed by his move to stay
he has not really been a difference maker in the the lineup and I don’t think of him as Always a Tiger. I think he is a good PR guy and is trying to set himself up for next season to draw a contract here. For 8M he’s unimprssive at the plate and has done less that half here than he did in NY last season. Ryan Raburn(who everyone loves to hate) has just two less RBI and one more home run. Granted Damon’s OBP is higher, but their numbers are pretty similar over the course of the season. Damon is a decent guy and he’s got lots of charisma, but to want him back for another season is just sill because he hasn’t earned 8M this season. If this organization wanted him, they would have pulled him back. But they didn’t. That’s the problem we have here, a guy comes along and claims he lovees this city and hoe much of a desire he’s got to play here and we fall in love with him. I am tired of mediocrity and that’s what we got for 8M. He’s not worth it.
I'm going down with this ship. I may as well, I got nothin' better to do.
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