http://www.freep.com/article/201002...S/Johnny-Damon-to-Tigers-makes-too-much-sense
[FONT=arial, helvetica]
<!--PRINTER FRIENDLY ARTICLE-->[FONT=verdana,arial]February 1, 2010
[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Reader column[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Johnny Damon-to-Tigers makes too much sense[/FONT]
BY SCOTT BOLOHAN /
TROY, MICHIGAN
This column was submitted by a freep.com reader and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Detroit Free Press nor its writers. Click http://freep.com/article/99999999/SPORTS18/100108044">here to submit your own column.
My mother used to say, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” And usually, she was right.
But maybe just this once she can be wrong. Johnny Damon and the Tigers seem like a perfect match. It would certainly make a fine at the end of one of the Tigers’ most confusing off-seasons. Damon would give the angered fans something to be excited about. Trading Curtis Granderson, combined with the economy, will hurt ticket sales this year. Damon won’t solve all those problems, but he is a fan favorite and someone that might be able to bring a few more fans to Comerica Park at a time when every fan counts.
While the Tigers are trying to get younger while remaining competitive, Damon, 37, isn’t someone to build around long-term. But he did post one of his most impressive seasons in the majors in 2009. Damon can nearly mitigate the loss of Granderson. In fact, he’s a natural fit at the leadoff position. He likely won’t come close to the 24 homers he hit last year, playing half of his games in Yankee Stadium, but expecting a .280 average with a .360 on-base-percentage to go with 15 homers is realistic. Plus, he'll provide the left-handed bat the Tigers desperately need.
The Tigers have said they won’t sign someone to strictly DH, which is fine. Damon, not known as a great outfielder, still had good range in leftfield, even if I can throw better than him. He’s certainly better than the disaster that was Carlos Guillen last year. And he can slide over to center to give Austin Jackson rest.
His presence in the lineup will keep the Tigers from overexposing rookies Jackson or Scott Sizemore in the leadoff role, whom have a combined zero at bats in the majors. They’re going to be asked to do a lot for the Tigers and no one knows how they’ll respond. Damon alleviates that pressure and allows them to have an easier transition into the bigs.
Since the Yankees aren't pursuing Damon, he has lost a huge bargaining chip. His agent, our old pal Scott Boras, will surely look for us to bail out another one of his clients. And in this case, it’ll be OK. Hey, maybe he’ll even cut us a deal (OK, maybe not). Either way, Damon will undoubtedly be a steal this year much in the way Bobby Abreu was last year.
Despite the major moves this off-season, the Tigers believe they are contenders in the AL Central, as evidenced by the Jose Valverde signing. You don’t spend $7 million and give up a first round pick if you don’t think the move can pay immediate dividends. With the AL Central the weakest division in baseball, adding Damon could pay off, big time.
Another factor is Magglio Ordoñez. He has another vesting year for $15 million if he gets 130 starts or 540 plate appearances. Right now, it’s plausible he'll reach those numbers. The Tigers lineup just doesn’t have much pop and Ryan Raburn, who would spell Ordoñez in rightfield most effectively, would be thrust into almost a starting role with the lack of DH on the team.
Since Damon is likely available for reportedly less than $15 million over two years, it comes down to this: Damon for two years or Ordoñez for one. Even if Ordoñez returns to his offensively-productive self, $15 million would be overpaying him in today’s market. Jermaine Dye, a similar and arguably better player, is still looking for work this winter.
It’s almost too perfect of a fit. Damon fills so many of the Tigers needs: the lefty bat, the leadoff hitter, a guy who can play decent outfield, star power and hope for a franchise whose fan base is still reeling after trading Granderson. And most importantly, it would seriously help solidify the Tigers as a contender for 2010.
[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica]
<!--PRINTER FRIENDLY ARTICLE-->[FONT=verdana,arial]February 1, 2010
[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Reader column[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Johnny Damon-to-Tigers makes too much sense[/FONT]
BY SCOTT BOLOHAN /
TROY, MICHIGAN
This column was submitted by a freep.com reader and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Detroit Free Press nor its writers. Click http://freep.com/article/99999999/SPORTS18/100108044">here to submit your own column.
My mother used to say, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” And usually, she was right.
But maybe just this once she can be wrong. Johnny Damon and the Tigers seem like a perfect match. It would certainly make a fine at the end of one of the Tigers’ most confusing off-seasons. Damon would give the angered fans something to be excited about. Trading Curtis Granderson, combined with the economy, will hurt ticket sales this year. Damon won’t solve all those problems, but he is a fan favorite and someone that might be able to bring a few more fans to Comerica Park at a time when every fan counts.
While the Tigers are trying to get younger while remaining competitive, Damon, 37, isn’t someone to build around long-term. But he did post one of his most impressive seasons in the majors in 2009. Damon can nearly mitigate the loss of Granderson. In fact, he’s a natural fit at the leadoff position. He likely won’t come close to the 24 homers he hit last year, playing half of his games in Yankee Stadium, but expecting a .280 average with a .360 on-base-percentage to go with 15 homers is realistic. Plus, he'll provide the left-handed bat the Tigers desperately need.
The Tigers have said they won’t sign someone to strictly DH, which is fine. Damon, not known as a great outfielder, still had good range in leftfield, even if I can throw better than him. He’s certainly better than the disaster that was Carlos Guillen last year. And he can slide over to center to give Austin Jackson rest.
His presence in the lineup will keep the Tigers from overexposing rookies Jackson or Scott Sizemore in the leadoff role, whom have a combined zero at bats in the majors. They’re going to be asked to do a lot for the Tigers and no one knows how they’ll respond. Damon alleviates that pressure and allows them to have an easier transition into the bigs.
Since the Yankees aren't pursuing Damon, he has lost a huge bargaining chip. His agent, our old pal Scott Boras, will surely look for us to bail out another one of his clients. And in this case, it’ll be OK. Hey, maybe he’ll even cut us a deal (OK, maybe not). Either way, Damon will undoubtedly be a steal this year much in the way Bobby Abreu was last year.
Despite the major moves this off-season, the Tigers believe they are contenders in the AL Central, as evidenced by the Jose Valverde signing. You don’t spend $7 million and give up a first round pick if you don’t think the move can pay immediate dividends. With the AL Central the weakest division in baseball, adding Damon could pay off, big time.
Another factor is Magglio Ordoñez. He has another vesting year for $15 million if he gets 130 starts or 540 plate appearances. Right now, it’s plausible he'll reach those numbers. The Tigers lineup just doesn’t have much pop and Ryan Raburn, who would spell Ordoñez in rightfield most effectively, would be thrust into almost a starting role with the lack of DH on the team.
Since Damon is likely available for reportedly less than $15 million over two years, it comes down to this: Damon for two years or Ordoñez for one. Even if Ordoñez returns to his offensively-productive self, $15 million would be overpaying him in today’s market. Jermaine Dye, a similar and arguably better player, is still looking for work this winter.
It’s almost too perfect of a fit. Damon fills so many of the Tigers needs: the lefty bat, the leadoff hitter, a guy who can play decent outfield, star power and hope for a franchise whose fan base is still reeling after trading Granderson. And most importantly, it would seriously help solidify the Tigers as a contender for 2010.
[/FONT]
Last edited by a moderator:
