The Bad $$$ Word in Baseball: Yankees

If it's a player with an ounce of a talent that's having some issues of contract renewals with his ball club, then the Yankees must be invoked. The latest instance of "Scare the pants off the management by mentioning the Yanks" is with hirsute Red Sox player, Johnny Damon. Unhappy with the way his contract negotiations are going, Damon said that he'd be happy to entertain offers from the Yankees. Nice. It seems that once the Yankees are involved, a player's asking price can rise considerably. And when the Yankees are involved, the Red Sox tend to get entangled by default. The only other team that has been helpful in giving players salary leverage is the Mets, which is understandable - it's expensive to live in New York City! Anyway, about Damon coming to the Yankees, we think they need more pitching.

So far, the Yankees have been quiet this off-season - quiet like a sleeping giant. We can't imagine Johnny Damon would be that into cutting his hair, but he did do an episode of Queer Eye.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung on December 7, 2005 5:20 PM

Comments [rss]

Marilyn

No way will Damon last in the Yankees. His appearance alone is enough to mgmt loose their lids.

Eugene

Who will deal a contract for 7 years even with the best player - he can begin play terribly even in a year

i hate johnny gaymon

first of all bubba is a cool cat, everyone loves him, but the fact of the matter is he isn't a legit MLB hitter. never will be, no one in the front office is serious about bubba. as for toriiii hunter, behind the gloss, his defensive numbers (i know, take them with a grain of salt) don't really paint him as the spectacular fielder everyone just assumes he is. plus, you don't want to be paying big money to a guy with a 330 OBP.

I guess the best option out there is Wilkerson. I haven't been following the trade rumors, but I've been wondering about Joey Gathright for a while. He had pretty good numbers in the minors, he is maybe the fastest guy in the MLB.

Toby

Is it me or does Johnny Damon look like the cavemen from the Geico ads?

And I think the Mets may be better than the Yankees next season. I sort of don't mind since Willie Randolph is a good guy and even us Yankee fans have to want him to do good.

k

tori hunter is a FA next year. bubba can handle it until summer trades. yanks need bullpen help and a better arm in center than damon.

sp

yup, his D sucks, and although he's a decent leadoff hitter and a good baserunner, what the yanks need in center is above all a great fielder. I really hope they dont get seduced by the wooly caveman.

Ben

It could happen. The Yanks, first, will give Damon a four-year MAX deal. Plus, no one's giving Damon a seven-year contract. In fact, no one's giving anyone a seven year contract these days. While the Yanks seem to say they like Bubba Crosby in center next year, I think they're bluffing so Damon's asking price doesn't sky-rocket. Anyway, Damon is an aging CFer who can't throw. He's not my first choice.