According to ESPN‘s Buster Olney, the Oakland A’s are currently attempting to land Ben Sheets – they will likely have to outbid the Mets – however, if those plans do not work out then Oakland will turn its attention toward offense and will sign a veteran outfielder. Olney writes that Johnny Damon is a “possible plan” for the A’s if this does occur, as “Oakland has available cash” and “a need need in the middle of its lineup.” The bidding for Ben Sheets will have to play out in full, though, before the A’s consider redirecting any of their resources to Damon.
Now, in my opinion, a Damon-Oakland reunion doesn’t make much sense for either party. The A’s already have a plethora of outfielders to draw upon in Coco Crisp, Rajai Davis, Ryan Sweeney, Travis Buck, and Eric Patterson (if he doesn’t play the infield). Granted, it is hard to predict what one might get from any of these players, production-wise, in 2010, however, one would think that Davis and Sweeney earned starting roles last year and Crisp will start as well. In addition, Jake Fox and Jack Cust are in the mix and both can see time at the outfield corners – limited time, of course – though the defensively challenged duo will likely serve as DH material (which eliminates signing Damon as a DH). Billy Beane just seems like he has too many offensive pieces right now to add the 36-year old Damon.
For Damon, the A’s likely won’t contend this year and they play in a pitcher’s park on the west coast. That doesn’t sound very appealing. Also, Damon has stated that he will likely sign this week and the Ben Sheets sweepstakes may not be over by then (he would have to wait for Oakland to lose out on Sheets, then engage them in negotiations).
Bottom line is, it doesn’t seem like a good fit. No one knows where Damon might end up, but I doubt it’s Oakland.
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6 Responses to A's could pursue Damon?
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Oakland, Altlanta, even the Mets… I’ve just heard enough of this Damon story, you know…
I think the Yankees need to sign an OF quickly, even if it’s Baldelli, so that we Yankee fans will finnaly start talking about something else.
I used to be one of those guys who tought Damon should stay with NY, but I really can’t stand this guy and this story anymore.
Now, about this possible Oakland-Damon deal, i’m with Chris. I don’t think that makes sense at all. Unless they plan to teach him to play the IF, and thats not gonna happen.
I don’t believe it. I think there is a greater likelihood of the A’s signing a Jermaine Dye type then Damon. First, Damon really isn’t a middle of the order bat. 17 of his homers came at YS. They have a DH in Cust and Jake Fox (who I expect big things from this year). I think this is just conjecture as they just don’t seem an ideal fit. Damon would have to go there strictly for the money, and I don’t think he would want to be that far from his family without a chance at winning. If it were Seattle, he might consider that. As I said earlier today in the Damon post, the Yankees and Damon make the most sense to join together again. If he signs with Oakland, he will have to deal with constant pressure of being traded also throughout the year, which is not something a player of Damon’s level is going to want to face.
Once again, do the Yankees need him? No. Could Brett Gardner play LF/CF? Yes. Could he start for most teams? Sure. In the end though, Damon fits bets with the Yankees as the occasional DH, usual LF player. Gardner would start for many teams though, so I think if he has to, he will do a good job as a Yankee.
So true. It really doesn’t make much sense.
Depending on how much money they have available, I think Detroit would be a natural landing spot for Damon in 2010. With Granderson and Polanco gone, he would give a much needed boost to the top of the order as well as providing a solid left handed bat to complement the right handed power further down the line-up. Along with C Guillen, he can split time between LF and DH while leaving enough ABs for younger players Raburn and Thomas given the ages and health history of the players involved as well as questions surrounding A Jackson and M Ordonez.
The Yankees should get Reed Johnson already. I’m getting tired of the Johnny Damon scenario. The Yankees should complete their roster to prepare for the 2010 season.
Anyway, the Yankees can call up Jesus Montero in the middle of the season if an injury occurs.
If Montero comes up mid season, he could stunt his growth developmentally as a catcher. I would rather spend a little more on Damon and allow Montero to fully mature then rush him just because the Yankees wanted to save a million dollars. And I am one that argues that they should be cheaper then others. The fact is, Montero fully developed could be worth 100 million over his 6 arbitration years. Montero rushed and then sent back and then brought up and then sent back could cause him some delay, thus giving less bang for his buck. I would rather spend 7.5 on Damon (5 plus luxury tax of 2.5) to get 100 from Montero (just a random figure since I didn’t look up on Fangraphs what Miguel Cabrera was worth his first 6 years) rather then 3 millions for Reed Johnson (2 MM + 1MM) and only 50 MM from Montero.
Know what I mean? Hopefully my idea is coming across and isn’t too confusing.