Johnny Damon Says He Will Stay In Detroit
3:20pm: Damon says he's "not going," according to MLB.com's Jason Beck.
2:45pm: Damon spoke to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe on his way to the ballpark today, saying he's still leaning toward staying with the Tigers. However, he would change his mind if the Tigers tell him they plan to reduce his playing time in favor of younger players.
9:05am: Johnny Damon, the Red Sox, and Tigers have until 1:30pm eastern time on Wednesday to decide whether Damon will rejoin his old team, reports WEEI's Alex Speier. The two clubs would have to reach an agreement, and Damon would have to approve it.
Damon was ready to go to the Yankees or Rays, reports Tom Gage of the Detroit News, but the Red Sox had first dibs. MLB Network's Peter Gammons tweets that the Tigers explained to Damon that the Red Sox claimed Damon because they want him, not as a blocking move. Gammons says the Rays did not even make a claim. Damon told reporters last night he's "definitely leaning" toward staying in Detroit, as he'd like to help young Tigers players develop and wants to return in 2011. He left the door open on his decision, as he needs to talk to GM Dave Dombrowski about what would be in the team's best long-term interest.
I think Damon will approve the trade or claim, if the teams can reach an agreement. It can't be measured, but Damon might agree that an extra $1.8MM is better for the Tigers' future than one month of his mentoring. I agree with ESPN's Buster Olney that Damon will be mostly embraced by Red Sox fans. Finally, Damon is a competitive player and Boston's 21% chance of reaching the playoffs sure beats Detroit's 0.36% shot.
Let's hear your prediction: will Damon accept a trade to Boston? Click here to make your pick and here to see the results of the poll.
Red Sox Claim Johnny Damon
9:36pm: Damon repeated after tonight's game that he's leaning toward staying in Detroit, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck (Twitter links). Damon's gut and his teammates are telling him to stay in Detroit.
3:45pm: Damon hasn't decided whether he'd accept an assignment to Boston, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck, who notes that the outfielder has about 48 hours to make up his mind (Twitter link).
3:09pm: A no-trade clause does not necessarily give a player the right to prevent his team from handing him over on waivers, according to an MLB Players Association official who spoke to MLBTR this afternoon. In many cases, a player has a non-assignment clause that would prevent trades and waiver claims. However, not all players with no-trade clauses can prevent their teams from handing them over on waivers.
In other words, Damon's ability to prevent the Tigers from handing him to the Red Sox depends on the wording in his contract.
2:51pm: Damon told Ed Price of AOL FanHouse he's not inclined to go back to Boston (Twitter link).
2:28pm: The Red Sox claimed Johnny Damon off waivers from the Tigers, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. The next question is whether the Tigers will work out a trade with the Sox, dump Damon on them for nothing, or pull him back. Damon can veto a trade to the Red Sox. Of Damon's $8MM salary, about $1.8MM remains. Heyman opined earlier today that he believes the Tigers would let Damon go if a deal cannot be worked out.
Damon played for the Red Sox from 2002-05, but had an acrimonious departure and signed with the Yankees. The Red Sox would be getting a diminished version of Damon this time, but he'd still be useful with Mike Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury currently on the disabled list. The Sox may have made the Damon claim to block the Rays or Yankees, but they know it is possible they end up with the player.
Damon, 36, predictably saw his power slip with the switch from Yankee Stadium to Comerica Park. He's hitting .270/.355/.409 on the season and has logged only 268 innings in the outfield. He profiles as a Type B free agent after the season, but an arbitration offer seems unlikely.
Tigers Designate Enrique Gonzalez For Assignment
The Tigers designated righty Enrique Gonzalez for assignment to make room for outfielder Casper Wells, according to the team.
Gonzalez, 28, posted a 3.81 ERA, 4.5 K/9, and 5.9 BB/9 with four home runs allowed in 26 relief innings for the Tigers this year. He was signed to a minor league deal in January and made 11 decent Triple A starts before getting the call in June. Gonzalez has logged time with four organizations in the last four years, pitching for the Tigers, Red Sox, Padres, and Diamondbacks.
Odds & Ends: Barajas, Piniella, Nats, Ramirez, Jackson
From the South Bay to the Valley, from the West Side to the East Side, everybody is very happy because Vin Scully will return in 2011. Let's check out some links from around the web..
- A member of the Mets watching Rod Barajas say goodbye to his teammates quipped "Can I go with him?", tweets Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.
- Ken Rosenthal pays tribute to Lou Piniella, and opines that Joe Girardi would be a perfect managerial replacement, though he has doubts that the Cubs could pry him away from New York.
- The Nationals have extended their affiliation with the Syracuse Chiefs for an additional two seasons, according to the team's official Twitter page.
- Josh Thole is excited about having the opportunity to start every day now that Rod Barajas has been claimed off waivers by the Dodgers, writes Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
- The Rays might be willing to take a chance on Manny Ramirez, writes Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.
- With the way Austin Jackson is playing, it looks like the Tigers got the better end of the Curtis Granderson deal, writes Marc Carig of the Newark Star-Ledger.
- Pittsburgh's signing of Mexican hurler Luis Heredia was years in the making, writes Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer writes that the Indians weren't afraid to spend on the draft this year. Cleveland's top ten picks all signed for more than their recommended slot.
- Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated (via Twitter) jokes that Buck Showalter has done too well with the Orioles as the club might now lose out on the first overall pick in the draft. Baltimore is now 44-80 while the Pirates are 40-83.
Will Johnny Damon Be Claimed?
Tigers left fielder and designated hitter Johnny Damon was placed on waivers on Thursday, so the window to make a claim closes Monday. Damon explained the situation to MLB.com's Jason Beck on Friday:
"I know they would probably like to keep me, but if this is a way they can possibly save a little bit of money this year and get a prospect, then that's something they have to do."
Damon's open attitude implies that he might not block a trade, even though he hopes to re-sign with the Tigers. Of his $8MM salary, about $1.8MM remains. Damon, 36, predictably saw his power slip with the switch from Yankee Stadium to Comerica Park. He's hitting .270/.355/.409 on the season and has logged only 268 innings in the outfield.
Damon hasn't been great, but we've seen varying returns in August moves. Jim Edmonds and Derrek Lee brought useful players back, while Cody Ross and Jose Guillen did not. Damon profiles as a Type B free agent, but I can't envision the Tigers offering arbitration. The Tigers could dump Damon's contract on a claiming club, or eat some money and try to get a useful player back.
Six American League contenders remain: the Yankees, Rays, Red Sox, Twins, White Sox, and Rangers. Lance Berkman's ankle injury frees up the Yankees' DH spot; would they bring Damon back given the offseason drama? The Rays and Red Sox could block the Yanks, and both clubs could use him. Damon back in the AL East would be an intriguing storyline. The Rangers, with Nelson Cruz out, could consider Damon. The White Sox might be content to use Mark Kotsay and Mark Teahen at DH, while the Twins don't look like a fit.
In the National League I think we can safely cross off the Giants as a Damon possibility, leaving the Braves, Phillies, Reds, Cardinals, and Padres as remaining contenders. Would the Braves want Damon in the left field picture? The Reds probably wouldn't add Damon after getting Edmonds. The Cardinals sent Ryan Ludwick to the Padres, though the Friars could still find room after losing Tony Gwynn. The Phillies don't seem to have a need for Damon.
The American League certainly seems a better fit for Damon. Hopefully we'll find out today whether any teams risked claims.
Damon Wants To Return To Tigers
After reportedly being placed on waivers along with third baseman Brandon Inge, Tigers slugger Johnny Damon could be traded to a contender before the year is through. However, even if he is sent elsewhere, Damon wants to return to Motown in 2011, writes Terry Foster of The Detroit News.
"I like it here," the 36-year-old said. "I have a bunch of friends that live in Detroit. Spring training (Lakeland, Fla.) is 45 minutes from home. There are a lot of benefits for me and hopefully I get to stay with this club. I love it so far. It is as simple as that."
Damon signed a one-year, $8MM deal with Detroit and will be a free agent at the end of the year. The two-time All-Star says that if he finishes out the season with another team, he will tell his representatives to get in touch with club president Dave Dombrowski and owner Mike Ilitch about returning.
Discussion: Magglio Ordonez
Judging from what Jim Leyland told MLB.com's Jason Beck, Magglio Ordonez's 2010 season may well be over. Ordonez has been sidelined since he fractured his right ankle in a July 24 game against Toronto, and while the veteran outfielder is now out of his cast and on crutches, his best-case diagnosis is at least two more weeks on the DL. As Beck hears from Detroit head trainer Kevin Rand, running puts added stress on the fracture, so it's a risk to bring Ordonez back until his injury is fully healed. What with the Tigers having fallen out of the AL Central race, there's also no pressing need to get Ordonez back in the lineup.
As MLBTR's Zach Links reported when the injury occurred, the fractured ankle was particularly costly for Ordonez not just because it cut short a solid season and all but ended the Tigers' playoff hopes (Detroit is 8-18 since July 24), but also because it impacts Ordonez's future. The injury ended any chance Ordonez had of reaching the vesting option that would have guaranteed him a $15MM contract for next season. Ordonez had to reach 135 starts or 540 plate appearances this season, or a combined 270 starts or 1.080 PAs in 2009-10 — the injury left him with 71 starts and 365 PAs in 2010 and 173 starts/883 PAs over the two-year span.
The question now is, did Ordonez's fateful slide against the Blue Jays also end his stay in Detroit? Though Ordonez has been very productive (.874 OPS wearing the gothic D) and relatively healthy over his six seasons in Motown, he also turns 37 in January. As Bobby Abreu, Vladimir Guerrero and Detroit's own Johnny Damon have showed us in recent years, the market for aging outfielders starts much lower than Ordonez's $15MM club option.
Detroit has a lot of payroll coming off the books this winter, and thus could choose to spend some of that money on a top free-agent outfielder or DH rather than fill those spots with aging options like Ordonez or Damon. That said, while it seems likely the Tigers will decline their club option, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the club bring Ordonez back on a one-year, $7-$8MM contract that includes an option year and incentives. It would be a solid gesture for a player who has been a team leader on and off the field.
If the Tigers don't pursue him, a similar contract will no doubt be waiting for Ordonez with another club. Given that Ordonez had a .303/.378/.474 slash line before his injury, he could do for a new lineup similar to what Vlad Guerrero has done for Texas this season.
Odds & Ends: Mets, Reds, Helton, Darvish, Harper
Friday Night Links..
- Despite a published report to the contrary, Phillies scouting director Marti Wolever is not headed to the Mets, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.
- MLB.com's Mark Sheldon spoke to a few members of the Reds who would like to see Dusty Baker sign an extension with the club.
- Brandon Inge and Johnny Damon are both okay with having been put on waivers, writes Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press.
- Reds manager Dusty Baker dismissed questions about him possibly becoming the Dodgers manager if Joe Torre retires, writes John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
- Mark Kizla of The Denver Post urges Todd Helton to call it quits.
- The Padres don't have much interest in outfielder Cody Ross, tweets Corey Brock of MLB.com.
- The Pirates will send Luis Heredia to their affiliate in Bradenton not to pitch, but to familiarize himself with the program, writes Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker (via Twitter) passes along a report from Japanese outlet Sponichi that the Yankees sent Damon Oppenheimer and scout Billy Eppler to watch Yu Darvish.
- Adam McCalvy of MLB.com (via Twitter) wonders aloud if the Brewers might make a deal in order to free a roster spot for the returning Carlos Gomez.
- Nats GM Mike Rizzo says that Bryce Harper won't be playing in any games for their Gulf Coast League affiliate this season, according to Ben Goessling of MASNSports.com.
Odds & Ends: Inge, Damon, Draft, Lilly, Manny
One year ago today, the Mets released Livan Hernandez. So far in 2010, Hernandez has a 3.06 ERA and ranks in the top ten in the NL in innings pitched and complete games. He doesn't strike anybody out, but his walk rate is low and he's headed for the 200 IP plateau once again. Here are some links for Friday as we contemplate Hernandez's surprising season…
- Brandon Inge and Johnny Damon are now on waivers, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). We should soon know if the two Tigers clear.
- Baseball America presents the compensation picks in the 2011 draft and total bonuses from 2008-10. The Nationals, Pirates and Blue Jays have have spent the most on bonuses.
- This doesn't count towards their draft spending, but the Pirates signed Colombian shortstop Dilson Herrera for $220K, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- ESPN.com's Buster Olney doubts that Ted Lilly would clear waivers this month. The left-hander, who tossed a two-hitter last night, would likely be claimed by a contending team.
- Jamey Newberg lists the hurdles the Rangers will face if they want to acquire Manny Ramirez from the Dodgers this month. As Newberg explains on MLB.com, a lot would have to fall into place for the Rangers to acquire the slugger.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post points out that the Mets' decision to let Darren O'Day go at the beginning of last year has not worked out for New York.
- Mark Kiszla of the the Denver Post says Todd Helton “needs to hang up his No. 17 Colorado uniform and retire.”
- Joe Beimel, a free agent after the season, would like to keep playing in Colorado, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter).
Odds & Ends: Chapman, Lee, Inge, Thome
Links for Wednesday night….
- The Reds will wait until September 1st to promote Aroldis Chapman, but he'll still be eligible for the playoffs, writes John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. In a separate blog post, Fay explains Chapman's postseason eligibility.
- Scott Miller of CBS Sports, Fangraphs' Jack Moore, ESPN's Keith Law (Insider-only) and ESPN.com's Rob Neyer share their thoughts on today's Derrek Lee trade.
- Ian Casselberry at MLive.com argues that the Tigers ought to trade Brandon Inge.
- Unsurprisingly, Ozzie Guillen had a response for those who criticized the White Sox for parting ways with Jim Thome. Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune has the story.
- Scrambling for a source of saves for the last month and a half of your fantasy league? Follow @closernews on Twitter to stay up-to-date on the latest injuries, blown saves, and everything else closer-related.