Johnny Damon Likes Idea of Bronx Return

Baseball players typically start receiving smaller contract offers as they get older. Sure, occasionally a player is special enough that this will either happen very late in his career or not at all.

Derek Jeter might be one of those candidates, but he’s been a special player for the Yankees. He came from the Yankees system and was a leader ever since his home run ball landed in Cleveland on opening day in 1996.

Again, he’s special, one of a kind; we as Yankee fans know this. Apparently, Johnny Damon does not.

“I hope (Derek) is not offered a 45 percent pay cut,” Damon said , while discussing his negotiations with the Yankees this offseason.

Damon doesn’t understand a lot of things. He didn’t realize that he should have taken the Yankees two-year, $14 million offer when it was available in December, and he didn’t realize that he should have taken the Yankees one-year, $6 million offer that was available to him last week. Instead, he’s going to end up taking another offer that will likely be less than the Yankees' initial one to play in a place where he won't be happy playing.

Starting almost a year ago in spring training, Damon spoke about how much he loved the Yankees. All season long, he echoed those sentiments about wanting to stay, and went so far as admitting it might mean taking less money. Even after the Yankees signed outfielder Randy Winn, effectively closing the door in Damon’s face, he wants to come back to the Bronx.

“I’m not ruling out not being in New York, whether it’s not this year, or whenever it is, whether I start the season with them, or whether they trade for me at the deadline, or if they sign me next year, or what not. I love New York,” Damon said.

But instead of playing in New York, a place he supposedly loves, he’ll go someplace else. Where? It does’t matter. Whomever offers him the most money, I suppose. Because that’s what Damon loves more than New York, money. Maybe he’ll get lucky enough to get traded here anyways.

Related Stories

• January 28, 2010—Damon and the Yankees: A Timeline (1)
• January 27, 2010—Yankees Sign Randy Winn…So Long Johnny (9)
• January 27, 2010—Johnny Damon to Cincinnati Reds? (2)
• January 27, 2010—It Appears That Damon and Yankees May Actually Head Separate Ways (0)