Johnny Damon: Red Sox Claim Former Fan Favorite Off Waivers

Via the NY Post:

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The Red Sox have claimed Johnny Damon on waivers, but the Tigers outfielder must waive a no-trade clause to return to Boston.

Damon said before Monday night’s game against Kansas City that it’s one of the toughest decisions of his career.

If Damon waives the no-trade clause, the Red Sox and Tigers have 48 hours to complete a deal. The Tigers also have the option of pulling him back or letting him go to the Red Sox on the waiver claim and get nothing back.

Damon, who is hitting .270 with seven homers, is owed about $1.8 million of the $8 million he is being paid this season on a one-year deal he signed with the Tigers after he and the Yankees couldn’t agree on a deal last winter when he was a free agent.

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This has been an interesting bit of news. The Red Sox claimed Damon, but I’m not sure if they actually want him, or are trying to block the Rays or Yankees from acquiring him. They do need some outfield help with Jacoby Ellsbury and Mike Cameron out, but Damon has largely become a DH of late.

Hopefully this will not go through and Damon will stay in Detroit because this could potentially setup another 2004 scenario which forces the Yankees to use Javier Vazquez in the playoffs against Damon again. I’m not sure the fragile pitcher could handle that, or a lot of Yankee fans for that matter.

We’ll find out tomorrow afternoon if Damon is staying in Detroit or lands in Boston.

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