Damon to the Yankees

[Hank Scorpio]

i'll weigh in later...but damon, jeter, giambi up front is going to lead to a monster contract for gary sheffield in his walk year.

[DFW HOYA]

Well, there goes any chance for a spot in right field at Fenway.

That's why there's no honors pending for Boggs or Clements, either.



Don't mix up your Clemens mcsa.fc2web.com/pic/RogerClemens_P22.jpg and Clement's i.a.cnn.net/si/2005/baseball/mlb/specials/all_star/2005/07/09/clement.ap/p1.matt.clement.ap.jpg now

[Jack]

Ugh. I can't blame the Red Sox for not wanting to pay Johnny like that and I can't blame Johnny for taking the money and selling his soul- it's not like it is the first time he has done that in his career, as A's and Royals fans can attest. Sour grapes make crappy wine.

It is tough to take because it obviously makes the Yankees better next year while also making the Red Sox worse, and it is not like the Yankees care about the fact they will be paying $13 million to 2005 Bernie Williams without the power in 2008. Here is hoping Johnny sans greenies and hair puts up a line of .265/.320/.385- even that will be an upgrade for the Yanks if he gets to more balls the Bernie, which is pretty much a given.

[DanMcQ]

Well, at least we have the answer to those WWJD? (What Would Johnny Do?) T-Shirts they sell near Fenway:

He'd take the money.

If nothing else, this enhances the rivalry between the two teams. You can't lose if that happens.

[SFHoya99]

Oh, yes we can lose. Sportscenter was about 90% Damon last night.

They actually compared him to Joe D and the Mick. Comparing to prime Bernie Williams is too generous, really, so I didn't need the Dimaggio/Damon montage.

I was hoping for a little analysis of the absolute bludgeoning my Padres did of the Rangers in the Eaton-Young deal -- maybe just a mention, but instead was treated to fan reaction of Damon's departure and some ridiculous voting thing on whether USC was better than the 91 Huskies.

[DanMcQ]

sfhoya99 said:

Oh, yes we can lose. Sportscenter was about 90% Damon last night.

They actually compared him to Joe D and the Mick. Comparing to prime Bernie Williams is too generous, really, so I didn't need the Dimaggio/Damon montage.

I was hoping for a little analysis of the absolute bludgeoning my Padres did of the Rangers in the Eaton-Young deal -- maybe just a mention, but instead was treated to fan reaction of Damon's departure and some ridiculous voting thing on whether USC was better than the 91 Huskies.

Geez. Just get over it and trade somebody worthwhile for Boomer Wells, willya?

[kchoya]

sfhoya99 said:

Oh, yes we can lose. Sportscenter was about 90% Damon last night.

They actually compared him to Joe D and the Mick. Comparing to prime Bernie Williams is too generous, really, so I didn't need the Dimaggio/Damon montage.

I was hoping for a little analysis of the absolute bludgeoning my Padres did of the Rangers in the Eaton-Young deal -- maybe just a mention, but instead was treated to fan reaction of Damon's departure and some ridiculous voting thing on whether USC was better than the 91 Huskies.

I think that the 91 Huskies would take USC. Of course USC gets all the hype, but I think several of the teams on the list would beat this USC team -- esp. the 95 Huskers.

[TrueHoyaBlue]

Speaking of the damn Yanks, this latest transaction makes it all the more likely that Georgie will have spent $1 Billion since his last World Series championship.

As of last season, the count had reached $783,467,163 from 2001-2005, almost double the $398,196,166 spent by the champs in each of those five years.

[RDF]

As a Yankee fan I was more excited about possibility of Dotel IF and that's a big IF--he can maintain his health. Guy's a good Setup man and with someone like Rivera out there, he could be even better.

Damon's signing is much ado about nothing minus one MAJOR point--he gives Yankees a legit leadoff hitter and they haven't had that since Knoblauch left. I know the numbers might say differently but I just like the idea of Derek Jeter hitting in 2 Hole with entire right side open for him to utilize.

As for defense--Yankees replaced Bernie Williams with a younger Bernie Williams--and that's NOT a compliment. Although Damon might be able to track more balls then Bernie did last year--but then again I think I could do that. ;D

[nychoya3]

Hey now. Don't hate on Bernie, or young Bernie anyway. Bernie isn't a hall of famer, but he isn't that far off.

I'm with you on Dotel. That was a very smart signing for the Yankees. If he gets healthy, he's one of the elite setup guys in the league. And his contract is such that the risk is neglibile.

The Yankees lineup is pretty damn sick now. Even with Posada in deep decline and what I anticipate will be a major step back from Robinson Cano, the top 6 is scary. Damon, Jeter, ARod, Giambi, Sheff, Matsui. Yikes.

[AustinHoya03]

sfhoya99 said:

I was hoping for a little analysis of the absolute bludgeoning my Padres did of the Rangers in the Eaton-Young deal -- maybe just a mention, but instead was treated to fan reaction of Damon's departure and some ridiculous voting thing on whether USC was better than the 91 Huskies.

Alright, SF, let's hijack this thread.

Yeah, uh, Adam Eaton? Don't know about that one. Towers is not a smart GM, IMO (witness the attempt to get Ponson last season), but the Rangers played right into his hands by continually asking about Eaton, a guy who has underperformed in each of the past three seasons. (Although, to be fair, he underperformed in 2005 only because of injury.) My guess is he gets lit up for HRs in the Ballpark.

However, I don't know if the Padres "bludgeoned" the Rangers here. Gonzalez and Sledge are hyped prospects that haven't excelled on the big league level yet. Chris Young looked great for a couple months last season and then had a complete meltdown. Hope your pitching coach is better than Orel Hersheiser.

FWIW, the trade is being reported as a big win for the Rangers down here, as is any trade where the Rangers swap for a pitcher who is halfway decent. Maybe this is a win-win (or a lose-lose) for both sides?

[hoyarooter]

Yeah, this stinks. I was really hoping Damon would either stay in Boston or sign with ABTY (Anybody But the Yankees). I'm sure he'll get a really sweet reception the first time the Yankees play in Fenway next season.

Also, this whole USC contest is stupid. USC was better last season than they are this season (the difference in the UCLA game notwithstanding). And I also think that Washington team was better than a number of the teams ESPN is claiming to be among the top ten non-USC teams.

[CTHoya08]

Damon has been one of the Red Sox players I have hated the most over the past few seasons, especially with the cult following he seemed to have amongst Red Sox fans despite the fact that all signs pointed to him being a jerk. I'm not too happy about having him in pinstripes.

Although other than Ortiz, he was the only Boston batter who made me worried every time he stepped into the box, so I guess I'm glad we won't have to face him anymore.

[TBird41]

So does this mean that the Red Sox will try and get Torii Hunter from the Twins?

We could sure use Andy Marte.

[Hank Scorpio]

i don't love the signing, but i like it. if we had gone more than four years, i'd have hated it, but for four years at 8 million dollars total more than his market value, this isn't a bad signing. people will talk about how Damon will be Bernie Williams 05 by the time 2009 rolls around...i think that's reaching. Bernie's dropoff was hastened by a series of ailments, and I don't think it is typical of an aging player. Damon is only 6 months older than Jeter and his contract expires at the same time [age 36]...the Red Sox signed a worse contract with Varitek [year older, plays catcher, 4 years + vesting option] than the yanks did with Damon.

as for the lineup...if i were Torre, i'd go with:

1. Damon/Jeter [i'd bat damon vs righties, jeter lefties]
2. Jeter/Damon
3. Giambi

top 3rd of the lineup gets on base at a roughly 400 clip when averaged together...setting up:

4. A-Rod
5. Sheffield
6. Matsui

RBIs, anyone? Sheffield, in his walk year, has to be thrilled. i would possibly opt to flip flop matsui/sheff to keep the L-R-L order intact

7. Posada - on the downside, but still a pretty good offensive catcher
8. Cano - if he develops any sort of plate dicsipline, this team will score 1000 runs with decent health
9. Andy Phillips - Phillips can mash, and can play multiple IF positions.

Bench - Bernie, who knows what else

The yanks may not be done yet, as the phillies still need to move Jason Michaels and Tanyon Sturtze is expendable. Play him in a corner OF spot, DH whoever he replaces and move Giambi to 1b...could be dynamite.

i am with RDF, Dotel is the signing i was most pleased with yesterday. Kyle Farnsworth has Jay Witasick part 2 potential,

[DanMcQ]

Get it while it's still hot and reasonably priced!

Ebay Auction Item

cgi.ebay.com/Johnny-Damon-Soul_W0QQitemZ5648873584QQcategoryZ2022QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Rats - taken down by the moderators at eBay - too bad 'cuz it was pretty funny

[AustinHoya03]

borat2 said:

as for the lineup...if i were Torre, i'd go with:

1. Damon/Jeter [i'd bat damon vs righties, jeter lefties]
2. Jeter/Damon
3. Giambi
4. A-Rod
5. Sheffield
6. Matsui
7. Posada
8. Cano
9. Andy Phillips

Bench - Bernie, who knows what else

Speaking of lineups, a friend and I were discussing the other NY lineup the other day. It's pretty crazy, too, and will probably look something like:

1. Reyes
2. Matsui
3. Beltran
4. Delgado
5. Floyd
6. Wright
7. Lo Duca
8. V. Diaz

There are some "ifs" involved here, but if Beltran returns to form, and Floyd and Wright continue to produce at last year's levels, then that's one of the best heart-of-the-orders in baseball. And it should be for what the Mets have spent this offseason.

[Hank Scorpio]

if i were the mets, there is no way jose reyes and kaz matsui would be batting up top. especially reyes, who is tony womack but younger. i know how dangerous he is once he reaches first, but he can't steal first, and 300 OBP is not cutting it as a leadoff hitter. i think the mets lineup will look like this:

1 - Reyes [should bat 7 or 8]
2 - Beltran [bat him leadoff, move floyd here]
3 - Wright [give this guy ABs, a monster]
4 - Delgado
5 - Floyd
6 - Lo Duca
7 - Diaz/Nady platoon
8 - whoever plays 2b

i think the mets added a lot of sizzle this offseason, but there is no steak. they still don't have a lot, if any, middle relief - who gets the ball to wagner? i don't like any of their starting pitchers past glavine/pedro, and i don't even know how much i like those two. cliff floyd's health is always a concern. their offense looks like it'll be solid, but if they keep reyes up top, they are throwing away at bats / run scoring opportunities with Wright and Delgado batting 3/4. they will contend for the division, but they are not good enough to win the series, as currently constructed

[RockawayHoya]

Damon will help us in CF, and so far as I know Bernie is coming back as a DH/backup OF. I was watching YES at a bar last night briefly and I think it said on the bottom line that the Yanks were close to signing Dotel. Don't know if that's just a rumor. Having him and Farnsworth in the pen to setup Mariano... it could be worse.

And to respond to the payroll situation: Bob Klapisch in his most recent column did point out that the Yankee payroll has been reduced from 205 million to 175 million even after including Damon's contract into the equation. So that billion mark probably won't be tested; I wouldn't bank on George to add another 50 mil/yr to the payroll before the season starts.

[hoyarooter]

How did the Yankees lose so much payroll? Bernie is obviously earning less, and Womack and Kevin Brown are gone, but what else happened to cause the payroll to shrink so dramatically, particularly given the signing of Damon? I assume that replacing Gordon with Dotel and Farnsworth is no better than a wash.