Tis' the Season

For freezing my behind off and for giving. The Yankees personified the latter last Tuesday night when they agreed to give free agent centerfielder Johnny Damon, a 4-yr, $52 million contract. Props to the Yankees though, especially Brian Cashman. Cash stood his ground as supreme scum/agent Scott Boras demanded a 7-yr deal for Damon. Boras’s demands started to shrink as did the demand for Damon. Boras went from commanding a 7-year deal to a 6-year deal to a 5-year deal (another variation with an option for a 6th) to a 4-year deal with an option for a 5th. Each time, Cashman said, “no”.

The Red Sox had a standing offer on the table of 4 years for 40 million and weren’t budging off of it. The only other team in the mix was the Dodgers, who dropped out when they signed veteran Kenny Lofton to a 1-yr deal. There were rumors of the Orioles becoming involved, but nothing concrete was ever revealed. Once Cashman saw this he overspent to seal the deal with Damon and Boras. Thirteen-million a year is definitely overpaying, but in a year when there were no other attractive free agent centerfielders, and teams were asking for too much (you’re to blame for that George) for average players like Juan Pierre, the Yankees really had no choice. The deal is really a similar situation to the Mets signing of Pedro Martinez last off-season. Too long, too much, but it fills a need. Damon will probably be broken down by the end of the deal, but he should provide plenty of offense until then.

The greatest concern for the Yankees outfield right now is their defense. Damon can still track a ball very well, but his arm makes Bernie Williams’s arm look like a cannon. At the very least he should be able to get to those balls in right-center that Gary Sheffield can only glance at these days.

The Yankees introduced Damon to the crowd on Friday, a pre-Christmas gift to the fans. Unfortunately for Damon, he was quite nervous and pretty much stumbled through his press conference. Of course, there was nothing wrong with the idiot reporters whose best questions were about his haircut and shave. All in all, it was a pretty dull press conference. Though nothing new usually ever comes out of most press conferences these days. Now get me a 1st Baseman!