***Officialish Detroit Tigers Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[MAC_32]

Guillen, Damon and Maggs to cover the spacious Comerica outfield.Pretty sure I could beat two out of the three in a footrace.

I think one will DH, maybe Jackson in center?

I would bet we see Damon, Jackson and Maggs in the outfield. With a healthy dose of Damon, Jackson and Raburn to keep Maggs ABs down a bit. If they sign Damon I would hope that Guillen never sees the outfield.

I'd bet that Jackson starts the year in the minors. Rayburn.

Then Jackson will be up before the end of April.Raburn's fine...for a utility outfielder. I loved rooting for him in Toledo, but watching him in Detroit has aged me years and he's never even been a full timer.I will immediately turn off any game that has Damon-Guillen-Maggs patrolling the OF at the same time, getting chills just thinking about it.

 

[igbomb]

Guillen, Damon and Maggs to cover the spacious Comerica outfield.Pretty sure I could beat two out of the three in a footrace.

I think one will DH, maybe Jackson in center?

I would bet we see Damon, Jackson and Maggs in the outfield. With a healthy dose of Damon, Jackson and Raburn to keep Maggs ABs down a bit. If they sign Damon I would hope that Guillen never sees the outfield.

I'd bet that Jackson starts the year in the minors. Rayburn.

Then Jackson will be up before the end of April.Raburn's fine...for a utility outfielder. I loved rooting for him in Toledo, but watching him in Detroit has aged me years and he's never even been a full timer.I will immediately turn off any game that has Damon-Guillen-Maggs patrolling the OF at the same time, getting chills just thinking about it.

Raburn was their second-best hitter last year. And he was a much better fielder than either Ordonez or Guillen. I get that he made a couple of gaffs out there that make people cringe, but I don't understand why Tigers fans are so reluctant to let the guy have a season of 400+ ABs to see if he can be a full-time player.

 

[skillz]

Guillen, Damon and Maggs to cover the spacious Comerica outfield.Pretty sure I could beat two out of the three in a footrace.

I think one will DH, maybe Jackson in center?

I would bet we see Damon, Jackson and Maggs in the outfield. With a healthy dose of Damon, Jackson and Raburn to keep Maggs ABs down a bit. If they sign Damon I would hope that Guillen never sees the outfield.

I'd bet that Jackson starts the year in the minors. Rayburn.

I am thinking Thomas will play in CF if Jackson isn't ready yet. I am hoping they don't rush Jackson and just let him develop instead of just throwing him into the fire right away.Then Jackson will be up before the end of April.Raburn's fine...for a utility outfielder. I loved rooting for him in Toledo, but watching him in Detroit has aged me years and he's never even been a full timer.I will immediately turn off any game that has Damon-Guillen-Maggs patrolling the OF at the same time, getting chills just thinking about it.

 

[MAC_32]

Raburn was their second-best hitter last year. And he was a much better fielder than either Ordonez or Guillen. I get that he made a couple of gaffs out there that make people cringe, but I don't understand why Tigers fans are so reluctant to let the guy have a season of 400+ ABs to see if he can be a full-time player.

He has better range than those two lead foot's but his decision making is terrible. I won't pretend to be an expert and say it's his in-flight ball tracking, want to make the big play instead of the smart one, off the bat adjustment, or just general indecisiveness but whatever it is it is a problem and at this point I don't think it's worth the time to figure out if it can be corrected.I really like his bat off the bench in the late innings because he has shown a capable hitter and boy does this team need one of those, just don't want to see him every day. Maybe he'll start off hot and keep the job temporarily, but I don't expect it to last.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I've come to the conclusion that the Tigers will be better than they were last year with Johnny Damon, and slightly worse without him. I think having him at the top of the order makes it a better line-up than they had with Granderson and Polanco, and the pitching will be better this year than last. Call me crazy, I think adding Damon goes a long way in this team's success in 2010.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Guillen, Damon and Maggs to cover the spacious Comerica outfield.Pretty sure I could beat two out of the three in a footrace.

I think one will DH, maybe Jackson in center?

I would bet we see Damon, Jackson and Maggs in the outfield. With a healthy dose of Damon, Jackson and Raburn to keep Maggs ABs down a bit. If they sign Damon I would hope that Guillen never sees the outfield.

I'd bet that Jackson starts the year in the minors. Rayburn.

Highly doubt this and Damon definitely won't be in CF. It's Jackson's job to lose, and I'd bet good money he starts in CF on opening day.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Guillen, Damon and Maggs to cover the spacious Comerica outfield.Pretty sure I could beat two out of the three in a footrace.

I think one will DH, maybe Jackson in center?

I would bet we see Damon, Jackson and Maggs in the outfield. With a healthy dose of Damon, Jackson and Raburn to keep Maggs ABs down a bit. If they sign Damon I would hope that Guillen never sees the outfield.

I'd bet that Jackson starts the year in the minors. Rayburn.

Highly doubt this and Damon definitely won't be in CF. It's Jackson's job to lose, and I'd bet good money he starts in CF on opening day.

I hope you're right. It would be nice though if they could sign Damon, for Jackson's sake. Jackson could bat 7th/8th/9th and not feel the weight of the team on his shoulders leading off.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Just read this...

Johnny Damon Rumors: Tuesday

By Mike Axisa [February 16 at 7:54pm CST]

7:54pm: Rosenthal takes back his previous tweet, and says that the White Sox did not make Damon a second offer. Their original offer still stands, though it is not believed to be as high as Detroit's.

Rosenthal adds that Damon and his wife "would prefer him to play in a more cosmopolitan city than Detroit," for what it's worth. What's more, Damon played golf Monday with Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski and broadcaster Hawk Harrelson.

7:39pm: The White Sox have made a second offer to free agent outfielder Johnny Damon, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com. The terms of the offer are unknown, but Rosenthal says a deal may be gaining momentum.

Yesterday we heard that there was only a "very small" difference of opinion between the Tigers and Damon's camp on salary, though this new offer from the ChiSox may have changed that dynamic.

$14 million offer for 2 years and they're thumbing their noses at the city? If true.......what a pr!ck.

 

[whoknew]

Just read this...

Johnny Damon Rumors: Tuesday

By Mike Axisa [February 16 at 7:54pm CST]

7:54pm: Rosenthal takes back his previous tweet, and says that the White Sox did not make Damon a second offer. Their original offer still stands, though it is not believed to be as high as Detroit's.

Rosenthal adds that Damon and his wife "would prefer him to play in a more cosmopolitan city than Detroit," for what it's worth. What's more, Damon played golf Monday with Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski and broadcaster Hawk Harrelson.

7:39pm: The White Sox have made a second offer to free agent outfielder Johnny Damon, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com. The terms of the offer are unknown, but Rosenthal says a deal may be gaining momentum.

Yesterday we heard that there was only a "very small" difference of opinion between the Tigers and Damon's camp on salary, though this new offer from the ChiSox may have changed that dynamic.

$14 million offer for 2 years and they're thumbing their noses at the city? If true.......what a pr!ck.

How is that thumbing his nose at Detroit? He's basically saying all things being equal, he'd rather play in Chicago than Detroit.

I reckon that's true with 99.999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of the population.

 

[Gopher State]

INSIDE PITCH

Whether it succeeds or fails, there's no question agent Scott Boras' campaign to land his client, outfielder Johnny Damon, in Detroit was clever.

From the outset, the Tigers discouraged any suggestion they were interested in a player whom the New York Yankees snubbed (after he snubbed them).

Why would they need another set of 36-year-old legs in their outfield? They already had one, right fielder Magglio Ordonez, and another who was working hard at it, left fielder Carlos Guillen.

But Boras kept looking at prospective Detroit batting orders. And instead of seeing center fielder Curtis Granderson and second baseman Placido Polanco, he kept eyeballing names such as center fielder Austin Jackson, second baseman Scott Sizemore and infielder Ramon Santiago.

And when he looked at the lineup he kept seeing right-handed hitter, right-handed hitter, switch-hitter, right-handed hitter, right-handed hitter.

So in the absence of interest on the part of GM Dave Dombrowski, Boras called Detroit sportswriters and told them how interested Damon was in taking the Tigers to the top.

Suddenly there were daily stories about how Damon was a perfect fit for an offense that was weak last year and hadn't gotten significantly stronger since.

Fan reaction has been favorable. Damon would lend some stability to the top of a batting order that badly needs runners on base when cleanup man Miguel Cabrera comes to the plate.

What gets overlooked is that Damon is 36, not 31. He wouldn't be unsigned if he didn't have flaws.

He was moved out of center field because he cannot cover the ground on a consistent basis anymore. Then there's that weak left arm.

His spike in home run totals was largely seen as the result of playing in new Yankee Stadium.

If Damon doesn't come on board, there is Ryan Raburn, whose excellent power numbers in limited playing time were prompting manager Jim Leyland to try to find more ways to get him in the lineup.

Then there's Clete Thomas, a skilled defensive player with a great arm whose left-handed bat shows possibilities.

Given the realities (possibly great pitching sunk by anemic offense), if owner Mike Ilitch gives the thumbs up to signing Damon, Detroit will get out the pen and paper, then worry about the consequences later.

Interesting read about Damon, but I think the price went up and if the Tigers want Johnny it cost them two years for a total of 16-18M.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Interesting read about Damon, but I think the price went up and if the Tigers want Johnny it cost them two years for a total of 16-18M.

Doubt they pay that, and they shouldn't. Chicago is probably offering him a one year deal so if it's true the Tigers are offering 2 years and 14 million, I think that will leave it it Damon's court. If the Tigers really wanted him they would have paid him more than he is worth already, and they haven't. I'd like to see him come to town but there are limits. Garrett Anderson, Jermaine Dye, Willie Mo Pena and Johnny Gomes are still available and a platoon of Raburn and Clete Thomas is not out of the question. They probably need to add another OFer regardless, and it'd be nice to play Clete as a super sub at all three OF positions. I think they should sign Joe Crede so they can ensure he won't kill them with Cleveland or Kansas City, the two teams in the AL Central he hasn't played with.

 

[SofaKings]

I've come to the conclusion that the Tigers will be better than they were last year with Johnny Damon, and slightly worse without him. I think having him at the top of the order makes it a better line-up than they had with Granderson and Polanco, and the pitching will be better this year than last. Call me crazy, I think adding Damon goes a long way in this team's success in 2010.

Not a fan of you posting drunk.

 

[Da Guru]

Damons wife is balking at him coming to Detroit, she wants him to play in more Metropolitan area. looks like the Sox have the inside track.

 

[SofaKings]

I've come to the conclusion that the Tigers will be better than they were last year with Johnny Damon, and slightly worse without him. I think having him at the top of the order makes it a better line-up than they had with Granderson and Polanco, and the pitching will be better this year than last. Call me crazy, I think adding Damon goes a long way in this team's success in 2010.

Not a fan of you posting drunk.

Since Mags is on the wagon now, his new drinking buddy must be Gerald Laird.

Miggy or Mags? If Miggy, Mags and Laird are all on the wagon the tigers will suck this year.

 

[Gopher State]

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago White Sox are pretty “confident” that they will be signing Johnny Damon in the near future. In fact, the newspaper quotes an anonymous team source as saying he would be “surprised if he didn’t sign” with them.

Please, please Tigers, up the offer for Damon, no SOX signings allowed.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago White Sox are pretty “confident” that they will be signing Johnny Damon in the near future. In fact, the newspaper quotes an anonymous team source as saying he would be “surprised if he didn’t sign” with them.Please, please Tigers, up the offer for Damon, no SOX signings allowed.

Why? Do you consider the White Sox a bigger threat than Detroit? I'm not sure why the White Sox are involved personally. What do they want him for? Pierre/Rios/Quentin are pencilled in as the starting OF.

 

[meeka]

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago White Sox are pretty “confident” that they will be signing Johnny Damon in the near future. In fact, the newspaper quotes an anonymous team source as saying he would be “surprised if he didn’t sign” with them.Please, please Tigers, up the offer for Damon, no SOX signings allowed.

Why? Do you consider the White Sox a bigger threat than Detroit? I'm not sure why the White Sox are involved personally. What do they want him for? Pierre/Rios/Quentin are pencilled in as the starting OF.

If I was a Twins fan I would be. The Sox actually won their 1 game playoff. The Tigers rolled over for the Twins twice in the last 3 years.

 

[Gopher State]

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago White Sox are pretty “confident” that they will be signing Johnny Damon in the near future. In fact, the newspaper quotes an anonymous team source as saying he would be “surprised if he didn’t sign” with them.Please, please Tigers, up the offer for Damon, no SOX signings allowed.

Why? Do you consider the White Sox a bigger threat than Detroit? I'm not sure why the White Sox are involved personally. What do they want him for? Pierre/Rios/Quentin are pencilled in as the starting OF.

I have no love for the Sox or their out spoken manager. The Tigers are more like the Twins, smaller market, blue collar team.If the Tigers or Twins win the central thats fine, but Sox Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

[Gopher State]

Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski vague on Johnny Damon but calls him 'a good player'

By JOHN LOWE

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

Detroit Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski confirmed this morning that the club has made a contract offer to free-agent outfielder Johnny Damon. But he declined to address any of the major issues raised by the offer.

Those issues include:

Damon is a leftfielder, and manager Jim Leyland said in October that he told Carlos Guillen that he would be the Tigers’ full-time leftfielder this season.

If the Tigers want Damon, why would they have traded Curtis Granderson? Granderson, like Damon, is an outfielder who hits left-handed.

In response to both those questions, Dombrowski said, “I’ll get into that at another time.”

Dombrowski gave these reasons for the Tigers’ interest in Damon:

“First of all, he’s a good player. He would help us from an offensive perspective. He’s another left-handed bat. He’s been a winner. So there are a lot of things about him that are very good. He’s a good player.

His "being out there at this time of year, you normally wouldn’t anticipate that.”

Then, apparently alluding to making payroll room for Damon, Dombrowski said, “We’ve made some adjustments ourselves, and of course, any time you do that at this time of year, Mike Ilitch is involved in that. So we just decided we’d go ahead and try to make an offer because we think he’d help us.”

Dombrowski declined to elaborate on what role Ilitch, the Tigers’ owner, has played in the pursuit of Damon.

Dombrowski spoke to reporters as the Tigers' pitchers and catchers began the first formal workout of spring training. The first full-squad workout is Tuesday, with or without Damon.

Dombrowski would not elaborate on terms of the offer, either. Previously, only Damon’s agent, Scott Boras, would comment.

Foxsports.com initially reported that the sides exchanged proposals. The Tigers reportedly offered Damon, 36, a two-year, $14-million contract that is believed to be the richest option he has received.

The Tigers are seeking a proven offensive commodity at the top of the lineup after trading Granderson and not re-signing No. 2 hitter Placido Polanco.

Damon hit .282 with 24 home runs and 82 RBIs last season for the Yankees.

The White Sox are another (and perhaps the only other) club interested in Damon. According to foxsports.com, Damon played golf Monday with White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski and White Sox broadcaster Ken Harrelson.

“Maybe that helped us,” Dombrowski said, laughing.

Get er Done TIGERS sign Johnny D now

 

[scrumptrulescent]

The latest....

Johnny Damon Rumors: Friday

By Tim Dierkes [February 19 at 3:41pm CST]

3:41pm: ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that Scott Boras wants two things from the Tigers. First, he's asking them to remove all deferred money from the one-year $7MM deal they have offered. Second, he wants the Tigers to add a second year (Twitter links).

3:26pm: The White Sox have pulled their offer to Damon, reports Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. White Sox GM Kenny Williams said he had to withdraw it.

"It became clear to us in our recent negotiations that the money that we were offering was not going to be good enough for Johnny at this time," Williams said.

Williams said the White Sox are "very much interested in" Damon. Levine hears that the White Sox offered him $6MM. Levine's sources tell him that the Tigers never offered a two-year deal; they have only offered a one-year $7MM contract.

9:29am: Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski went public with his interest in Johnny Damon yesterday, confirming to Patrick Zier of the Lakeland Ledger that he's offered Damon a contract. Dombrowski would not discuss the particulars of the offer, though a source of Zier's "would be very surprised if it's for more than one year."

As you know, Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald finds the White Sox an unlikely landing spot for Damon given GM Kenny Williams' plan to "talk about this on Sunday."

ESPN's Buster Olney spoke to one executive involved in Damon talks in recent months who said, "There is so much BS out there, and don't want to contribute to it."

Looks like Dombrowski did not offer a 2 year deal. Also looks like the Sox were just trying to drive up the price to me.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

The latest....

Johnny Damon Rumors: Friday

By Tim Dierkes [February 19 at 3:41pm CST]

3:41pm: ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that Scott Boras wants two things from the Tigers. First, he's asking them to remove all deferred money from the one-year $7MM deal they have offered. Second, he wants the Tigers to add a second year (Twitter links).

3:26pm: The White Sox have pulled their offer to Damon, reports Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. White Sox GM Kenny Williams said he had to withdraw it.

"It became clear to us in our recent negotiations that the money that we were offering was not going to be good enough for Johnny at this time," Williams said.

Williams said the White Sox are "very much interested in" Damon. Levine hears that the White Sox offered him $6MM. Levine's sources tell him that the Tigers never offered a two-year deal; they have only offered a one-year $7MM contract.

9:29am: Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski went public with his interest in Johnny Damon yesterday, confirming to Patrick Zier of the Lakeland Ledger that he's offered Damon a contract. Dombrowski would not discuss the particulars of the offer, though a source of Zier's "would be very surprised if it's for more than one year."

As you know, Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald finds the White Sox an unlikely landing spot for Damon given GM Kenny Williams' plan to "talk about this on Sunday."

ESPN's Buster Olney spoke to one executive involved in Damon talks in recent months who said, "There is so much BS out there, and don't want to contribute to it."

Looks like Dombrowski did not offer a 2 year deal. Also looks like the Sox were just trying to drive up the price to me.

Sounds like the White Sox offered damon $80 and a life supply of paper bags for his wife's head.

 

[azcrook58]

Sounds like the White Sox offered damon $80 and a life supply of paper bags for his wife's head.

 

[Captain Hook]

Damon signed to one year $8 million deal - great for him and I think helps the Tigers IF the pitching is good enough to compete for the Division

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Damon signed to one year $8 million deal -

linkI like it a lot.

 

[whoknew]

Damon signed to one year $8 million deal -

linkI like it a lot.

Really happy it's a 1 year deal.I wonder how it's all going to sort out in the OF.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Damon signed to one year $8 million deal -

linkI like it a lot.

Really happy it's a 1 year deal.I wonder how it's all going to sort out in the OF.

I also like it and also have no problem with the money since it's only a 1 year deal. We really need a hitter like him at the top of the lineup. I have to guess Damon plays a lot in the field and Guillen plays a lot at DH.

 

[Gopher State]

Considering that Damon has a 363 career average and .961 OPS in 41 games at Comerica Park, this seems like a very good deal for the Tigers.

Good deal for Damon at 8M.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Damon signed to one year $8 million deal -

linkI like it a lot.

Really happy it's a 1 year deal.I wonder how it's all going to sort out in the OF.

I also like it and also have no problem with the money since it's only a 1 year deal. We really need a hitter like him at the top of the lineup. I have to guess Damon plays a lot in the field and Guillen plays a lot at DH.

I've read a few different places that Leyland is set on Jackson leading off which doesn't make much sense to me. Jackson has a 2.5/1 K/BB ratio and has shown little plate discipline in the minors. Sizemore has a 1/3 K/BB ratio and is known for great plate discipline and OBP. So I guess we are looking at:

CF Jackson

LF Damon

RF Maggs

1B Cabrera

DH Guillen

3B Inge

C Laird

2B Sizemore

SS Everett

I'd expect to see Clete playing more and more in RF against RH pitching if Maggs is in a rut, and Clete will also play CF. Raburn can play LF when Damon needs a rest or LF when Guillen needs a rest and I'd like to almost see him in more of a rotation. Raburn is also a natural 2Bman so I'd guess if Sizemore has trouble, he'll play there as well. I think Raburn deserves as many ABs as he can get early though, and if he proves last year was no fluke he needs to be put in a true platoon with Guillen and Damon. I think they need to keep him in LF and at 2B though, no more raburn at 3B please. Put guillen in there to spell Inge and really, don't let Guillen ever play again in the OF.

As far as Damon's arm which truly does suck...does it make the Tigers worse in the OF than a year ago? Now our weak arm is in LF not CF, and Damon and Jackson will cover more ground than Guillen and Granderson as a tandem. Does it make them worse at the plate? Yes, but it's an improvement vs LH pitching and in the late innings.

Also Polanco to Sizemore might not be as big a downgrade as people might think. Sizemore should be able to draw enough walks to offset a lower first year average and he has more power than Polanco.

When asked about Hawk/AJ playing golf with Damon, Dombrowski joked, "Maybe that helped us. I don't know."

Could you imagine Hawk screaming at you when you are trying to put?

 

[crewmember]

The latest....

Johnny Damon Rumors: Friday

By Tim Dierkes [February 19 at 3:41pm CST]

3:41pm: ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that Scott Boras wants two things from the Tigers. First, he's asking them to remove all deferred money from the one-year $7MM deal they have offered. Second, he wants the Tigers to add a second year (Twitter links).

3:26pm: The White Sox have pulled their offer to Damon, reports Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. White Sox GM Kenny Williams said he had to withdraw it.

"It became clear to us in our recent negotiations that the money that we were offering was not going to be good enough for Johnny at this time," Williams said.

Williams said the White Sox are "very much interested in" Damon. Levine hears that the White Sox offered him $6MM. Levine's sources tell him that the Tigers never offered a two-year deal; they have only offered a one-year $7MM contract.

9:29am: Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski went public with his interest in Johnny Damon yesterday, confirming to Patrick Zier of the Lakeland Ledger that he's offered Damon a contract. Dombrowski would not discuss the particulars of the offer, though a source of Zier's "would be very surprised if it's for more than one year."

As you know, Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald finds the White Sox an unlikely landing spot for Damon given GM Kenny Williams' plan to "talk about this on Sunday."

ESPN's Buster Olney spoke to one executive involved in Damon talks in recent months who said, "There is so much BS out there, and don't want to contribute to it."

Looks like Dombrowski did not offer a 2 year deal. Also looks like the Sox were just trying to drive up the price to me.

Sounds like the White Sox offered damon $80 and a life supply of paper bags for his wife's head.

Or 6 mil. If the bolded is true then it loooks like Boras/Damon squeezed a little more out Detroit. Doubt that he would have given up a million to play in Chicago though.

 

[skillz]

Damon finally signed although Boras was able to squeeze an extra million out of the Tigers. I am glad they are only locked into a one year deal with him. Hopefully Jackson is able to claim the lead off spot in 2011.

Low-balled Damon signs with Tigers

By Tim Brown, Yahoo! Sports

Johnny Damon(notes), a leading man in championships in Boston and New York but, at 36, a free-agent afterthought, on Saturday agreed to a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers for about $8 million. The signing culminated a courtship that lasted several weeks after Damon’s agent, Scott Boras, mentioned publicly that the Tigers would be an excellent fit for his client.

Damon is expected to bat leadoff and split time between left field and designated hitter. From an offensive standpoint, he essentially replaces Curtis Granderson(notes), who was traded to the New York Yankees two months ago in what was viewed as a payroll-trimming move. Damon, however, will be paid more in 2010 than the center fielder Granderson, a much better defensive player.

More From Tim BrownAmerican League spring storylines Feb 17, 2010 Spring-loaded National League storylines Feb 15, 2010 In spite of a productive season in which Damon grooved his swing for a right-field fence at Yankee Stadium that played short, hit 24 home runs and drove in 82 runs (nearly all of them while batting second), and then helped push a postseason run that ended in the Yankees’ first World Series title in nine years, Damon wasn’t an offseason priority.

The Yankees understood his asking price to be $26 million over two years. When their counter for $14 million over two years was rejected, they in mid-December signed Nick Johnson(notes) for one year at $5.75 million, having already made the trade for Granderson. Johnson would be the designated hitter, which left an outside chance Damon could have returned in left field, in spite of diminishing defensive skills. That possibility died when the club signed Randy Winn(notes) for $1.1 million. An upgrade in left but meek at the plate, Winn, a switch-hitter, batted .262 last season, including .158 in 125 plate appearances against lefties. Granderson, who is expected to get time in left and center fields, also didn’t hit close to .200 against lefties last season.

Damon, whose preference was to return to New York, and Boras believe they were shut out of the process and the Yankees never intended to negotiate. The Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman believe they wouldn’t have had time to wrestle through an extended negotiation with Boras and cover themselves at DH and in left field if Damon went elsewhere. Cashman also contended his budget stopped at $200 million and he couldn’t fit Damon under it.

The Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays showed interest, though the Rays backed off when they were told the Tigers had offered Damon $7 million for one season. The White Sox and Braves made lower one-year offers, and on Friday the White Sox went public to say their offer had been withdrawn. Damon’s wife was said to prefer Chicago over Detroit as a place to live, but signing with the Tigers enables Damon to remain at his Orlando home through the spring because the club trains in nearby Lakeland.

Manager Jim Leyland is thrilled about penciling in Damon at the top of the batting order, but he might need to explain the plan to veteran Carlos Guillen(notes). Shortly after Guillen complained to MLB.com that he believed his manager didn’t believe in him as a left fielder, Leyland told the website that Guillen would be the regular left fielder if healthy. Damon might be best suited as the DH.

The Tigers dumped Granderson and pitcher Edwin Jackson(notes) to trim payroll, and although they have spent the 2010 savings on Damon, they should have more payroll flexibility beginning in 2011. Granderson is in the third year of a back-loaded five-year, $30.25 million contract. He’s a bargain for the Yankees at $5.5 million this season but his salary increases to $8.25 million in 2011 and $10 million in 2012, with a $2 million buyout on a $13 million option in 2013. Jackson avoided arbitration by signing a two-year, $13.35 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Tim Brown is a national baseball writer for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter. Send Tim a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.

 

[whoknew]

I've read a few different places that Leyland is set on Jackson leading off which doesn't make much sense to me. Jackson has a 2.5/1 K/BB ratio and has shown little plate discipline in the minors. Sizemore has a 1/3 K/BB ratio and is known for great plate discipline and OBP.

But he's fast!!

 

[Bojang0301]

I've read a few different places that Leyland is set on Jackson leading off which doesn't make much sense to me. Jackson has a 2.5/1 K/BB ratio and has shown little plate discipline in the minors. Sizemore has a 1/3 K/BB ratio and is known for great plate discipline and OBP.

But he's fast!!

Once again the Tigers will have to win based on the fortitude Dombrowski shows on the market and in spite of Jim Leyland's ineptitude.

 

[Greco]

I hope he grows his hair long, agian.

 

[SofaKings]

I hope he grows his hair long, agian.

Hippie.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Considering that Damon has a 363 career average and .961 OPS in 41 games at Comerica Park, this seems like a very good deal for the Tigers.Good deal for Damon at 8M.

To bad Damon won't be able to face Tiger pitching when he plays in Comerica this year.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Considering that Damon has a 363 career average and .961 OPS in 41 games at Comerica Park, this seems like a very good deal for the Tigers.

Good deal for Damon at 8M.

To bad Damon won't be able to face Tiger pitching when he plays in Comerica this year.

5th in AL ERARight behind those mighty Yanks he just left.

 

[skillz]

Per today's Detroit News:

Jim Leyland's potential 2010 lineup card:

1. Austin Jackson, CF: Unless Jackson needs more time in the minors -- the Tigers don't believe he will -- he likely will be Leyland's leadoff man.

2. Johnny Damon, LF: He has a big career on-base percentage (.355) and a crackling left-handed bat. Leyland probably will want Damon batting second, hoping to exploit the right-side infield hole that should open up when Jackson is on first base.

3. Magglio Ordonez, RF: Even at 36, Leyland and the Tigers believe the super-conditioned Ordonez will have one of his better years.

4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B: If he's healthy and at peace, Cabrera will annually contend for a Most Valuable Player award.

5. Carlos Guillen, DH: He will be the most pivotal bat in Leyland's order. If he can avoid the disabled list, Guillen has the power and polish to drive in 100 runs and to be a game-changing hitter.

6. Scott Sizemore, 2B: Sizemore can hit, and he can take a walk. Rookie or not, Leyland will want him on base to, with Brandon Inge's extra-base power, provide down-the-order runs.

7. Brandon Inge, 3B: With healthy knees, Inge could hit 30 home runs and drive in 90 or more. Being in the last year of his contract will only help a player who already is set on having his best-ever season.

8. Gerald Laird, C: He might not be a .296 hitter (his average with the Rangers in 2006), but neither is Laird a .225 batter. Expect him to recover from last year's plate ailments.

9. Adam Everett, SS: The Tigers love the runs he saves with his glove. Anything they get offensively is a bonus.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100222/SP...n#ixzz0gI9Pg35K

 

[Greco]

I hope he grows his hair long, agian.

Hippie.

Peace. Love. Understanding.

 

[whoknew]

I hope he grows his hair long, agian.

Hippie.

Peace. Love. Understanding.

What's so funny about that?

 

[Greco]

I hope he grows his hair long, agian.

Hippie.

Peace. Love. Understanding.

What's so funny about that?

Sweet harmony.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Per today's Detroit News:

Jim Leyland's potential 2010 lineup card:

1. Austin Jackson, CF: Unless Jackson needs more time in the minors -- the Tigers don't believe he will -- he likely will be Leyland's leadoff man.

2. Johnny Damon, LF: He has a big career on-base percentage (.355) and a crackling left-handed bat. Leyland probably will want Damon batting second, hoping to exploit the right-side infield hole that should open up when Jackson is on first base.

3. Magglio Ordonez, RF: Even at 36, Leyland and the Tigers believe the super-conditioned Ordonez will have one of his better years.

4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B: If he's healthy and at peace, Cabrera will annually contend for a Most Valuable Player award.

5. Carlos Guillen, DH: He will be the most pivotal bat in Leyland's order. If he can avoid the disabled list, Guillen has the power and polish to drive in 100 runs and to be a game-changing hitter.

6. Scott Sizemore, 2B: Sizemore can hit, and he can take a walk. Rookie or not, Leyland will want him on base to, with Brandon Inge's extra-base power, provide down-the-order runs.

7. Brandon Inge, 3B: With healthy knees, Inge could hit 30 home runs and drive in 90 or more. Being in the last year of his contract will only help a player who already is set on having his best-ever season.

8. Gerald Laird, C: He might not be a .296 hitter (his average with the Rangers in 2006), but neither is Laird a .225 batter. Expect him to recover from last year's plate ailments.

9. Adam Everett, SS: The Tigers love the runs he saves with his glove. Anything they get offensively is a bonus.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100222/SP...n#ixzz0gI9Pg35K

I'm not following. Why not this...1 - Damon

2 - Sizemore

3 - Guillen

4 - Miggy

5 - Maggs

6 - Laird

7 - Inge

8 - Everett

9 - Jackson

 

[Limp Ditka]

Per today's Detroit News:

Jim Leyland's potential 2010 lineup card:

1. Austin Jackson, CF: Unless Jackson needs more time in the minors -- the Tigers don't believe he will -- he likely will be Leyland's leadoff man.

2. Johnny Damon, LF: He has a big career on-base percentage (.355) and a crackling left-handed bat. Leyland probably will want Damon batting second, hoping to exploit the right-side infield hole that should open up when Jackson is on first base.

3. Magglio Ordonez, RF: Even at 36, Leyland and the Tigers believe the super-conditioned Ordonez will have one of his better years.

4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B: If he's healthy and at peace, Cabrera will annually contend for a Most Valuable Player award.

5. Carlos Guillen, DH: He will be the most pivotal bat in Leyland's order. If he can avoid the disabled list, Guillen has the power and polish to drive in 100 runs and to be a game-changing hitter.

6. Scott Sizemore, 2B: Sizemore can hit, and he can take a walk. Rookie or not, Leyland will want him on base to, with Brandon Inge's extra-base power, provide down-the-order runs.

7. Brandon Inge, 3B: With healthy knees, Inge could hit 30 home runs and drive in 90 or more. Being in the last year of his contract will only help a player who already is set on having his best-ever season.

8. Gerald Laird, C: He might not be a .296 hitter (his average with the Rangers in 2006), but neither is Laird a .225 batter. Expect him to recover from last year's plate ailments.

9. Adam Everett, SS: The Tigers love the runs he saves with his glove. Anything they get offensively is a bonus.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100222/SP...n#ixzz0gI9Pg35K

Looks like a 3rd place team to me.

 

[Gopher State]

Per today's Detroit News:

Jim Leyland's potential 2010 lineup card:

1. Austin Jackson, CF: Unless Jackson needs more time in the minors -- the Tigers don't believe he will -- he likely will be Leyland's leadoff man.

2. Johnny Damon, LF: He has a big career on-base percentage (.355) and a crackling left-handed bat. Leyland probably will want Damon batting second, hoping to exploit the right-side infield hole that should open up when Jackson is on first base.

3. Magglio Ordonez, RF: Even at 36, Leyland and the Tigers believe the super-conditioned Ordonez will have one of his better years.

4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B: If he's healthy and at peace, Cabrera will annually contend for a Most Valuable Player award.

5. Carlos Guillen, DH: He will be the most pivotal bat in Leyland's order. If he can avoid the disabled list, Guillen has the power and polish to drive in 100 runs and to be a game-changing hitter.

6. Scott Sizemore, 2B: Sizemore can hit, and he can take a walk. Rookie or not, Leyland will want him on base to, with Brandon Inge's extra-base power, provide down-the-order runs.

7. Brandon Inge, 3B: With healthy knees, Inge could hit 30 home runs and drive in 90 or more. Being in the last year of his contract will only help a player who already is set on having his best-ever season.

8. Gerald Laird, C: He might not be a .296 hitter (his average with the Rangers in 2006), but neither is Laird a .225 batter. Expect him to recover from last year's plate ailments.

9. Adam Everett, SS: The Tigers love the runs he saves with his glove. Anything they get offensively is a bonus.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100222/SP...n#ixzz0gI9Pg35K

Looks like a 3rd place team to me.

And here is the official 4th place team line up for the 2010 central divisionPROJECTED LINEUP:

1. LF Juan Pierre

2. 2B Gordon Beckham

3. RF Carlos Quentin

4. 1B Paul Konerko

5. CF Alex Rios

6. C A.J. Pierzynski

7. DH Andruw Jones

8. 3B Mark Teahen

9. SS Alexei Ramirez

Maybe 5th, have so see if they can hold off the Indians

 

[Limp Ditka]

Per today's Detroit News:

Jim Leyland's potential 2010 lineup card:

1. Austin Jackson, CF: Unless Jackson needs more time in the minors -- the Tigers don't believe he will -- he likely will be Leyland's leadoff man.

2. Johnny Damon, LF: He has a big career on-base percentage (.355) and a crackling left-handed bat. Leyland probably will want Damon batting second, hoping to exploit the right-side infield hole that should open up when Jackson is on first base.

3. Magglio Ordonez, RF: Even at 36, Leyland and the Tigers believe the super-conditioned Ordonez will have one of his better years.

4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B: If he's healthy and at peace, Cabrera will annually contend for a Most Valuable Player award.

5. Carlos Guillen, DH: He will be the most pivotal bat in Leyland's order. If he can avoid the disabled list, Guillen has the power and polish to drive in 100 runs and to be a game-changing hitter.

6. Scott Sizemore, 2B: Sizemore can hit, and he can take a walk. Rookie or not, Leyland will want him on base to, with Brandon Inge's extra-base power, provide down-the-order runs.

7. Brandon Inge, 3B: With healthy knees, Inge could hit 30 home runs and drive in 90 or more. Being in the last year of his contract will only help a player who already is set on having his best-ever season.

8. Gerald Laird, C: He might not be a .296 hitter (his average with the Rangers in 2006), but neither is Laird a .225 batter. Expect him to recover from last year's plate ailments.

9. Adam Everett, SS: The Tigers love the runs he saves with his glove. Anything they get offensively is a bonus.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100222/SP...n#ixzz0gI9Pg35K

Looks like a 3rd place team to me.

And here is the official 4th place team line up for the 2010 central divisionPROJECTED LINEUP:

1. LF Juan Pierre

2. 2B Gordon Beckham

3. RF Carlos Quentin

4. 1B Paul Konerko

5. CF Alex Rios

6. C A.J. Pierzynski

7. DH Andruw Jones

8. 3B Mark Teahen

9. SS Alexei Ramirez

Maybe 5th, have so see if they can hold off the Indians

Kenny Williams is a hell of a GM, but I doubt he moves all of those guys to Minnesota between now and the deadline.

 

[Da Guru]

Per today's Detroit News:

Jim Leyland's potential 2010 lineup card:

1. Austin Jackson, CF: Unless Jackson needs more time in the minors -- the Tigers don't believe he will -- he likely will be Leyland's leadoff man.

2. Johnny Damon, LF: He has a big career on-base percentage (.355) and a crackling left-handed bat. Leyland probably will want Damon batting second, hoping to exploit the right-side infield hole that should open up when Jackson is on first base.

3. Magglio Ordonez, RF: Even at 36, Leyland and the Tigers believe the super-conditioned Ordonez will have one of his better years.

4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B: If he's healthy and at peace, Cabrera will annually contend for a Most Valuable Player award.

5. Carlos Guillen, DH: He will be the most pivotal bat in Leyland's order. If he can avoid the disabled list, Guillen has the power and polish to drive in 100 runs and to be a game-changing hitter.

6. Scott Sizemore, 2B: Sizemore can hit, and he can take a walk. Rookie or not, Leyland will want him on base to, with Brandon Inge's extra-base power, provide down-the-order runs.

7. Brandon Inge, 3B: With healthy knees, Inge could hit 30 home runs and drive in 90 or more. Being in the last year of his contract will only help a player who already is set on having his best-ever season.

8. Gerald Laird, C: He might not be a .296 hitter (his average with the Rangers in 2006), but neither is Laird a .225 batter. Expect him to recover from last year's plate ailments.

9. Adam Everett, SS: The Tigers love the runs he saves with his glove. Anything they get offensively is a bonus.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100222/SP...n#ixzz0gI9Pg35K

I'm not following. Why not this...1 - Damon

2 - Sizemore

3 - Guillen

4 - Miggy

5 - Maggs

6 - Laird

7 - Inge

8 - Everett

9 - Jackson

That will be the lineup May 1. The Laird, Inge, Everett trio does not strike much fear.

 

[skillz]

Per today's Detroit News:

Jim Leyland's potential 2010 lineup card:

1. Austin Jackson, CF: Unless Jackson needs more time in the minors -- the Tigers don't believe he will -- he likely will be Leyland's leadoff man.

2. Johnny Damon, LF: He has a big career on-base percentage (.355) and a crackling left-handed bat. Leyland probably will want Damon batting second, hoping to exploit the right-side infield hole that should open up when Jackson is on first base.

3. Magglio Ordonez, RF: Even at 36, Leyland and the Tigers believe the super-conditioned Ordonez will have one of his better years.

4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B: If he's healthy and at peace, Cabrera will annually contend for a Most Valuable Player award.

5. Carlos Guillen, DH: He will be the most pivotal bat in Leyland's order. If he can avoid the disabled list, Guillen has the power and polish to drive in 100 runs and to be a game-changing hitter.

6. Scott Sizemore, 2B: Sizemore can hit, and he can take a walk. Rookie or not, Leyland will want him on base to, with Brandon Inge's extra-base power, provide down-the-order runs.

7. Brandon Inge, 3B: With healthy knees, Inge could hit 30 home runs and drive in 90 or more. Being in the last year of his contract will only help a player who already is set on having his best-ever season.

8. Gerald Laird, C: He might not be a .296 hitter (his average with the Rangers in 2006), but neither is Laird a .225 batter. Expect him to recover from last year's plate ailments.

9. Adam Everett, SS: The Tigers love the runs he saves with his glove. Anything they get offensively is a bonus.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100222/SP...n#ixzz0gI9Pg35K

I'm not following. Why not this...1 - Damon

2 - Sizemore

3 - Guillen

4 - Miggy

5 - Maggs

6 - Laird

7 - Inge

8 - Everett

9 - Jackson

That will be the lineup May 1. The Laird, Inge, Everett trio does not strike much fear.

It's Leyland being Leyland. He'll roll out that lineup to start the season rather than a better one and, in doing so, not give the team its best chance of winning the first few weeks of games. At some point, he'll come to his senses and use a lineup like the one above that he should have been using all along. Just like I see him rolling with Nate Robertson as the 5th starter to begin the season and trying to put Zumaya right back into a set up role. Of course, the reports today on Zumaya say he's throwing with great velocity and looks "better than ever." Haven't heard that one before.

 

[Gopher State]

Austin Jackson set to become Tigers' center fielder, hit leadoff

By Eric Gay, AP

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Austin Jackson (FSY) knows the Detroit Tigers expect a lot from him.

Jackson is set to become the Tigers' new center fielder, and will start the exhibition season as their leadoff hitter.

High hopes for someone who has never played in a major league game. The Tigers got the 23-year-old Jackson last December from the Yankees in a three-team trade that sent All-Star center fielder Curtis Granderson (FSY) to New York.

"I know there's going to be some pressure, but to put pressure on myself is going to make it hard to perform so I'm not thinking about it like that," Jackson said. "I'm just thinking about getting on the team and helping the team out."

Jackson spent five years in the Yankee system after choosing baseball over a basketball scholarship offer from Georgia Tech. He was ranked perennially as one of the top prospects in the organization, but didn't necessarily envision himself in center field at Yankee Stadium.

"I played with a couple guys that were No. 1 and No. 2 prospects and they got traded away, so I knew the business side of it and I knew there really is no untouchable, as they claim," he said. "It's a business, and you have to know that going into it, and I wasn't surprised. Once I saw some of the other guys get traded off, then it's like: 'Hey, you're playing (to audition) for other teams as well."'

With the trade to the Tigers, "I knew I would get a chance," he said. "I knew it was definitely a good opportunity for me."

Jackson and left fielder Johnny Damon (FSY) will bat in the top two spots in the Tigers lineup. Jackson's leadoff status isn't guaranteed yet, but manager Jim Leyland will try it in the exhibition games.

"I'm confident I will be able to do that, and if that's what they want me to do, that's the role I'll play," said Jackson, who batted first, second and third in the minors and hit .300 last year for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

"He's hit everywhere he's been," Leyland said. "What's going to happen up here, I don't know, but his consistency in the minor leagues was pretty good. I've always believed that if he's hit for four or five years in the minor leagues, he's probably got a good chance to hit in the big leagues."

Jackson, Damon and rookie second baseman Scott Sizemore (FSY) are expected to add speed into a team that now emphasizes pitching and defense.

"Definitely speed has to be part of my game, getting on base and stealing bases," Jackson said. "I take a lot of pride in my defense."

NOTES: In the early stages of the exhibition season, Leyland plans to stretch out eight pitchers as starters. Justin Verlander (FSY), Rick Porcello (FSY), Max Scherzer (FSY) and Jeremy Bonderman (FSY) are in the rotation, with Armando Galarraga, Eddie Bonine (FSY), Dontrelle Willis (FSY) and Nate Robertson (FSY) competing for the fifth spot until further notice. "Later in the spring, when starting pitchers go longer, that eliminates innings for somebody," Leyland said ... Jacob Turner (FSY) and Andy Oliver, Detroit's first two draft picks last spring, will pitch in Grapefruit League games, but not as starters ... Damon brought a left-handed catcher's mitt to camp as a conversation piece and says he's available at that position in an emergency. "Let's hope that doesn't happen," he said.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

I think by mid-season everyone will be saying look at action Jackson. You gota like this kid

 

[meeka]

It looks like Jackson has a lot to learn on the basepaths, but 2 walks in the last 2 games is a really good sign.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

It looks like Jackson has a lot to learn on the basepaths, but 2 walks in the last 2 games is a really good sign.

Caught some of the game on the radio during lunch. Tigers up to bat, 2 outs, Jackson walks....Damon punches a single moving Jackson to 2nd.....Maggs singles to right allowing Jackson to basically walk into home and Damon moves to 3rd....NICE! That's what we'll be needing at the top of the order.

 

[whoknew]

Second straight terrible start by Scherzer. This is not good. No time to panic yet - but it certainly is worrisome.

Leyland: "In the history of my career I don't think I've ever taken a starter out of the game in the 1st inning two games in a row."