New YorkBY Bill Madden
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Friday, December 18th 2009, 4:28 PM
Damon's Farewell
Are you happy that Nick Johnson is returning to the Yankees?
The Yankees finalized a one-year deal, $5.5 million deal with first baseman/DH Nick Johnson Friday, effectively ending Johnny Damon's tenure in pinstripes.
The deal will not be officially announced until sometime next week after Johnson completes a physical.
According to baseball sources, the 31-year old Johnson had more lucrative offers from a couple of other teams but wanted to return to the Yankees for whom he began his career in 2001.
He was one of many options GM Brian Cashman spelled out to the Yankee high command in organization meetings two weeks ago in the event Damon stuck to his demands of a three-year contract at the same $13 million he earned last year. In the end, Damon, according to sources, came down to two years, but still at $13 million per season and by then the Yankees were too far down the road with Johnson.
The signing of the lefty-hitting Johnson, who had a .426 on-base percentage to Damon's .365, solidifies the No. 2 hole in the Yankee lineup, albeit minus the speed Damon provided. It also ends the Yankees' interest in ex-Bergen Catholic product Mark DeRosa, another option Cashman had offered for consideration.
It would appear the Yankee payroll is going to come in at under $200 million for the first time since 2007, although Cashman said Friday he's still on the hunt for more pitching. As of now, the plan is for Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Alfredo Aceves and Sergio Mitre to compete for the fourth and fifth spots in the starting rotation, in which case there may well be a need for another righthanded set-up reliever.
"Right now, there's nothing on the front burner," Cashman said, "but if I can do something between now and Christmas I'm certainly going to try."
Ok we got Nick Johnson, but come on Yanks, give Damon 13 a year, we better not be losing him
ReplyDeleteTY Susan...enjoy the weekend. WHat do you think about Nick Johnson coming back? Looks like Damon's out.
ReplyDeleteNick Johnson means no Damon? Yankees ... I'm not sure I believe that, but I also don't believe Damon will make 13 million next year.
ReplyDeleteCorrection, Johnson on two year, $11 million deal? I guess they may play him at DH? Where does Damon fit now? This is so confusing.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Nick Johnson. Adios Johnny Damon- you were never a true Yankee anyway.
ReplyDeleteu 2, What do you think of Johnson, any news today on Damon? Yanks should take a shot at a starting pitcher also...
ReplyDeleteSo much for "loving New York" and a hometown discount. Boras and Damon went into leech mode, and we're left w/ Nick Johnson.
ReplyDeleteThe Yankees and 1B/DH Nick Johnson have agreed to a 1-year deal. This likely means Johnny Damon's stay in pinstripes is over.
ReplyDelete