Apparently Free Agent outfielder Johnny Damon has agreed to a contract with the Detroit Tigers.
Damon is said to be in the process of signing a one-year 8 million dollar contract to play some left field and serve as a Designated Hitter for the American League Central Division Tigers.
The Chicago White Sox were another club that took a long look at Damon before deciding against finalizing a contract with the former New York Yankee star. The White Sox dropped out of negotiations with Damon this week, leaving one of the stars of the 2009 World Series to sign with Detroit.
Scott Boras, Damon's agent had indicated in several interviews that he was confident he would find a suitable home for his 36 year old client. Boras reminded teams that Damon had helped the Red Sox win their first World Championship in the same manner he helped the Yankees return to glory last year. He claimed Damon was a winner with lots remaining to his game.
In Detroit, Damon will share left field duties with the switch-hitting Carlos Guillen. It is believe that Guillen and Damon will also share the Designated Hitting role. In an interesting twist, Damon will share the outfield with another former Yankee, the recently traded Austin Jackson.
While many feel Damon's skills in the field have diminished greatly, he will bring a much needed left-handed bat to a decidedly right-handed Tigers lineup. Damon doesn't throw well and his range has not been the same for some time.
Damon still has the ability to get on base and score runs with quickness and very good base running instincts. He hit 24 home runs in Yankee stadium last season using the short and friendly right field porch as a launching pad. He still has some pop in his bat, but he isn't likely to reach those kind of home run numbers in Detroit. Basically, his speed and ability to score runs were the appeal for adding Damon to the club. Damon has really not had any really bad seasons in his career.
Damon's pending signing adds more age to a club that was supposedly working on getting younger. In fact they had added Jackson and young pitchers Daniel Schlereth and Max Scherzer. But the availability of Damon in a limited market for his services caused Detroit to evaluate what the club would look like with Damon's name scribbled in the lineup at the top of the batting order.
Given the improved starting rotation that includes Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello and Scherzer as anchors and the awesome bat of an allegedly slimmer Miguel Cabrera, Damon could be an important ingredient in Detroit's attempt to win the Central. With a formidable bullpen leading to Jose Valverde closing games, it is easy to same that the Tigers are an improved club. They deserve credit for improving their club by signing a veteran winner to the team with very little risk involved. Certainly the club can reap some benefits from a one year deal with a guy with Damon's track record. If it doesn't work out, all they have to do is say goodbye at the end of the season. No strings attached.