The Indians will sign Johnny Damon, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (all Twitter links). Damon confirmed to Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio that he has agreed to sign with the Indians (Twitter link).
The deal will include a full no-trade clause and allow Damon to opt out on a specified date after Grady Sizemore returns, Rosenthal reports. Sizemore is expected to miss 8-12 weeks due to back surgery. Financial terms of the deal are unknown. We heard that the Scott Boras client would sign by May earlier this month.
Damon, 38, figures to step into Cleveland's left field situation as soon as he's ready to join the team. Shelley Duncan has started all five of the Indians' games in left, but he's best deployed as the right-handed half of a platoon. A fit between the Tribe and Damon seemed natural for most of the offseason.
Just 277 hits away from 3,000 for his career, Damon hit .261/.326/.418 with 16 homers and 19 steals for the Rays last season. He has played fewer than 400 total innings in the outfield over the last two years, but he has appeared in at least 140 games in each of the past 16 years.
The Indians tried to acquire Bobby Abreu a few weeks ago, presumably for the same role Damon will fill.
The deal will include a full no-trade clause and allow Damon to opt out on a specified date after Grady Sizemore returns, Rosenthal reports. Sizemore is expected to miss 8-12 weeks due to back surgery. Financial terms of the deal are unknown. We heard that the Scott Boras client would sign by May earlier this month.
Damon, 38, figures to step into Cleveland's left field situation as soon as he's ready to join the team. Shelley Duncan has started all five of the Indians' games in left, but he's best deployed as the right-handed half of a platoon. A fit between the Tribe and Damon seemed natural for most of the offseason.
Just 277 hits away from 3,000 for his career, Damon hit .261/.326/.418 with 16 homers and 19 steals for the Rays last season. He has played fewer than 400 total innings in the outfield over the last two years, but he has appeared in at least 140 games in each of the past 16 years.
The Indians tried to acquire Bobby Abreu a few weeks ago, presumably for the same role Damon will fill.
