Damons' Destinations

With names like Melvin Mora, John Smoltz and Johnny Damon still available through free-agency, teams will soon make a decision, with spring training only weeks away now.  Players such as Orlando Hudson must lower their contract demands or else risk ending up like Pedro Martinez from last year. 

One player being discussed by many teams now is OF Johnny Damon, a career .288 hitter with 2425 hits, 1483 runs scored, 207 home runs, 996 RBI and 374 stolen bases in 2131 career games played.  The following teams have expressed interest and we look inside the numbers.

Cincinnati Reds: as of now, the Reds have Chris Dickerson projected to play left-field in 2010.  Damon would bat lead-off and play left.  Dickerson is a better fit defensively, but Damon would bring this young team experience, as well, he would work the pitcher for a walk, as Damon tends to get on base whatever way possible.  With Joey Votto at first, Damons' 6 career starts at first-base will not be a factor.

Detroit Tigers: The Tigers are said to have interest in Damon, although no contract offer has been made.  The Tigers appear to be set for spring training, although the left-field position currently is held by Ryan Raburn.  Damon and his career .289 average batting leadoff in 1530 games would replace the departed Granderson to the Yankees.

Toronto Blue Jays: The Jays have made it known that Damon or Carlos Delgado have been on their radar.  Damon, a player that would fit with this team, would be a guy the Jays could rely on at the top of the order.  With Adam Lind already slated to play left-field / DH, and both being left-handed hitters, a fit it not necessarily a given, yet filling the void left by lead-off hitter Marco Scutaro is a priority.  Scutaro on-base-percentage as a lead-off hitter was .379 compared to Damon's 2009 campaign where his OBP was .365.  Jose Bautista would bat first in 2010 without Damon and had a .349 OBP in 2009 and a .329 OBP in his career.

Tampa Bay Rays: have said that they have interest, although Carl Crawford already patrols left-field.  Damon could take at-bat as a DH, but the Rays have Pat Burrell.  They may try and trade Burrell, but his price tag for 2010, almost $9M is too high. 

Others: Yankees (a return not likely) reports had him turning down a 1-year / $6M contract offered by New York last week though, Mariners, Rockies, Nationals, Braves and Athletics.

Prediction: Tigers (2 year deal gets the deal done.  Losing Granderson hurts and they need a proved hitter to set the table.

Nationals News:

The Washington Nationals have signed P Miguel Batista to a 1-year contract.  Coming off a huge contract at almost $8M per season, Batista will once again try and prove to people that he can still pitch.  Batista can still throw in the 90's, but at age 38, may be at the tail-end of his career.  Last season with the Mariners, he went 7-4, 4.04 ERA in 56 games, all as a reliever.

The Nationals have now made more moves this off-season then expected.  They have brought in pitchers Tyler Walker, Matt Capps, Eddie Guardado, Jason Marquis and Brian Bruney and added in-fielder Eric Bruntlett for defense.  Orlando Hudson and Johnny Damon are still on their wish-list according to reports.

John Smoltz update: 

Smoltz, rumoured to be going to the Mets, may wait until mid-season to find the perfect fit according to reports.  After Pedro Martinez tried this approach in 2009, and still made decent money, more players with the ability to wait (no money concerns / could just retire anyways) may happen.  The Mets need help in the rotation so they shouldn't wait, but if he is still available come mid-June, the Phillies, Cardinals and Giants may come calling.

Quick fact:

Johnny Damon has played in 2131 career games, most batting lead-off.  Here is a look at his numbers batting from all positions in the lineup

1. 1530 games, .289 AVG
2. 213 games, 284 AVG
3. 106 games, 299 AVG
4. 12 games, 290 AVG
5. 30 games, .203 AVG
6. 61 games, .322 AVG
7. 69 games, 255 AVG
8. 43 games, .310 AVG
9. 67 games, .285 AVG