MLB - Sports Rumors

Mon Nov 23, 2009 7:52 am EST

Johnny Damon doesn't want a pay cut

By Mark J. Miller

“JohnnyEven though Johnny Damon(notes) wants to stay with the New York Yankees, he seems to be hurting his chances when he makes it public that he's not planning on taking any kind of pay cut from what he was just making, according to the New York Daily News.

The 36-year-old Damon is apparently thinking that he would like a three- or four-year deal and the Yankees supposedly only want to give him a two-year deal. The 2010 salary is still being finalized for the Yanks but it is believed that the team's priorities are to bring back Damon and Andy Pettitte(notes).

The Daily News reports that Damon told friends earlier this year that he would accept a shorter deal from the Yanks but then his annual salary would have to go up.

Source: New York Daily NewsNew Window

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218 Comments

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  1. Molzof
    1. Posted by Molzof Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:15 am EST

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    Now this is why there are always big name old players in the free agents cause they dont want to take a pay cut even if they have to. lets face it damon is worth probably 3-5 mil a year. if that.
  2. throbby
    2. Posted by throbby Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:16 am EST

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    "....team's priorities are to bring back Damon and Andy Pettitte..."
    nice knowin ya 'deki. good luck in la. tell joe and donnie hi.
  3. Jo Bangles
    3. Posted by Jo Bangles Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:30 am EST

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    Pay the man. He's worth it.
  4. Evil Empire
    4. Posted by Evil Empire Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:34 am EST

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    Time to let Damon go. Go after Holiday.
  5. Duane M
    5. Posted by Duane M Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:47 am EST

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    Keep Matsui.....go and get an outfielder plus another pitcher. Resign Andy ...bye bye Johnny
  6. Edward B
    6. Posted by Edward B Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:47 am EST

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    If that is true, time to let Damon go, when he was signed 4 years ago he was being paid to be an everyday centerfielder and leading off. He is none of that anymore. He can at best play left field on most days. He will need a good 15+ days off during the year and he has become a liability in the outfield. No arm and some very awkward looking plays when he makes them, it was common to see him get pulled late in a game to improve the defense. Time to re-sign Nady. Given Damon wants 3000 hits to try to cement a Hall of Fame bid he needs 4 more years of play time. He has already made his money, time to realize he needs to give up on some of the dough in order to get what he wants to cap his career. If Matsui could only play the outfield, but would he be another Giambi in the field and hurt the team if he tries.
  7. str A's hooter
    7. Posted by str A's hooter Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:51 am EST

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    Johnny Damon earned every cent of his salary last season. Power numbers went up. Clutch hitting in the playoffs and Series. And he hasn't lost any speen. Rollins didn't even bother chasing him on that double steal play.
    Give him the money, for cryin' out loud!
  8. rarx
    8. Posted by rarx Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:02 am EST

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    str A's hooter.... first, it wasn't Jimmy Rollins who didn't bother chasing him on that steal it was Pedro Feliz. Pay attention! Also, Damon's power numbers were up because of the ridiculously short fence in right field that caters to the left handed hitters. There was a reason they set a record for homeruns in a new park....
  9. Kenneth C
    9. Posted by Kenneth C Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:09 am EST

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    Damon is good, very good, but not "great". I love the guy but the $$$ need to be the same for 2 years or go down 20% for three years, 25% lower for 4 years. I can't imagine Gardner, Melky and Swish the whole season without Johnny!
  10. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    10. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:24 am EST

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    Str A's - we were blasted for giving Damon that salary in the first place. He has lost alot of speed as evident with his drop in steals. His defense is mediocre at best and his arm is weaker than Kate Moss in a Suma match. Damon is worth less than what he is making plain and simple and he will find out when no one is calling him this offseason. If Damon wants to avoid a situation like Abreu last season he will take a 2 yr deal at 10 mil per season and be happy with it. Otherwise it could be a 1 yr 5 mil deal from the Marlins for him.
  11. str A's hooter
    11. Posted by str A's hooter Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:41 am EST

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    Good morning, Artist
    Maybe you are right, again. I hate to see Johnny go, though. I just don't see him as a Marlin!
  12. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    12. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:48 am EST

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    lol morning Str A - I dont think he'll be a Marlin. I was just saying he needs to becareful that he doesnt follow the same path as Abreu did last season. Abreu felt he deserved to keep his pay but ended up at a 5.5 mil deal. Lucky for him it was the Angels but Damon might have limited offers from top teams b/c they are set at LF.
  13. Brian C
    13. Posted by Brian C Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:51 am EST

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    The thing is this. Damon wants to be paid $13M a season as he was in his last deal. The problem with that is that that deal was signed when he was 4 years younger than he is now, when he could still play CF and when he was a lead off hitter. That deal also happened in a market where owners were spending wildly and there was no recession. Abreu more or less set the market for an OF over the age of 35 who hits 285+ with a 20+ homers and either 85+ RBI or Runs Scored at roughly $9.5M a year for no more than 2 years. And it's not like Damon has any leverage with the Yankees in this one. They can easily sign someone else or even promote someone from within to Damon's bargaining power is limited this winter. If the Yanks offer him 2 years for $20M he would be a fool not to take it.
  14. Rick G
    14. Posted by Rick G Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:05 am EST

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    Abreu set the market.........8 mil a year for 2 years, maybe some high mark incentives to get to 10
  15. Brian C
    15. Posted by Brian C Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:08 am EST

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    I love how players will quote a former contract or that of another player as justification for them receiving a similar deal. Right now I'm hearing Damon say he should receive an identical deal to the 4 year $52M one he got 4 years ago and Boras claiming Holliday should get at least the $136M deal Soriano got a few year back. The problem is that those deals were either outright mistakes or were signed under completely different terms. In Damon's case he isn't the same player he was back then and also this is not nearly as lucrative an economy as it was 4 year ago either. As for Holliday wanting a Soriano like deal minimum, that deal was a huge mistake and I see no reason that GMs should continue to make that same mistake. Holliday also is not in Teixeira's league so for Boras to even attempt to compare the two is laughable at best and delusional at worst.
  16. str A's hooter
    16. Posted by str A's hooter Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:10 am EST

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    Johnny Dammon was a "Fool" a couple of times, before! He escaped Kansas City, to go to a contender in Oakland. He then abandoned Oakland for Boston, and won a World Series for them. Then, Johnny "FOOLISHLY" BLEW OFF BOSTON, and bonded with the Yanks.
    I don't think Johnny is anybody's FOOL!
  17. Brian C
    17. Posted by Brian C Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:12 am EST

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    Rick- I know Abreu got 2 years for $19M but I didn't see any details about whether it was a straight up $9.5M a year or if it was closer to $8M with either an option or a buyout in the $1M-1.5M range. Still it shows what an aging outfielder who can still hit but has declining skills in the field can expect to receive in this market. I personally think Abreu is a better offensive player than Damon so for Damon to say he should get $13M a year when Abreu is not even making $10M a year seems funny to me. I'm not saying Damon should take a pay cut where he only get $5M a year but he should be more realistic with his demands or he may find himself in forced retirement.
  18. Tricon11
    18. Posted by Tricon11 Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:13 am EST

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    Oh well have a nice life Johnny LOL!
  19. ~PANCHO~
    19. Posted by ~PANCHO~ Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:14 am EST

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    3 or 4 year deal? who is he kidding? that puts him in contract till he's is 40, lmfao. johnny boy.....get real. you have 2 yers left, tops. Yankmes won't do it. Send him back to KC...they have plenty of money.
  20. Ryder
    20. Posted by Ryder Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:22 am EST

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    One thing about Theo in Boston, 'it's not personal, Sonny...it's just business'. If it's one thing we learned from The GodFather...cut the ties that need to be cut. No sentiments, please. The year is over, championship in-house....next!!
  21. jd 1
    21. Posted by jd 1 Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:26 am EST

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    A rumor about a rumor, only the Daily News and NY Post would print this.
  22. BudLite
    22. Posted by BudLite Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:31 am EST

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    Lets see how hal steinbrenner handles this one,,his dad would tell damon " see ya",,the man cant throw and his outfield stinks,,,and he is slowing down maybe by 2 or 3 steps,,,maybe he is worth 2-3 million on a 2 year contract,,all the clubs should tell scott boros to take a hike with his clients
  23. nyc
    23. Posted by nyc Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:46 am EST

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    Holliday, Bay, and even Nady are better options, and an upgrade. Of course a man has his pride, and it's not surprising that Johnny would want the same level as the last contract. It's time to say thanks and all the best.
  24. Lakergirl
    24. Posted by Lakergirl Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:54 am EST

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    if Jack s shows up, tell him to find his fat ass over to the loser section....ie...Cavs blogs

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