Johnny Damon coming soon?

[redsrbetter]

John Heyman and Jerry Crasnick report on twitter that there is interest on the Reds side. They also say that Boras agrees that the Reds are interested.

I doubt this even more than I doubted Chapman. He is going to be far too expensive.

[redsrbetter]

Here is a link

Boras and Damon are trying to engage the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds as possible alternatives, a baseball source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.
Cincinnati's outfield alignment currently consists of Jay Bruce in right field, Drew Stubbs in center field and Chris Dickerson in left. The Reds' leadoff hitters also ranked last in the major leagues with a .650 OPS in 2009.
The catch is, the Reds and Tigers don't appear to have much money left in the budget. Both clubs have been economizing this offseason, and that might be truer than ever now that Cincinnati has signed Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman and Detroit has added closer Jose Valverde. Both teams would probably have to get creative to make a run at Damon.

[redsrbetter]

This is simply Scott Boras making things seem more than reality. I expect to hear Jocketty say that there is no truth to it at all really soon.

Heck, he said it yesterday when asked if he had talked to representatives for Damon or Dye. He said no.

[redsrbetter]

Per Jon Fay:

On the Damon rumor
Posted by jfay January 27th, 2010, 3:03 pm

My buddy Jerry Crasnick at ESPN.com reports that Scott Boras is targeting the Reds as one of the clubs for Johnny Damon. I’m trying to find out if there’s interest on the Reds’ end.

Damon, 36, hit .282/.365/.489 with 24 homers, 82 RBI and 13 steals last year.

The irony here is the Yankees said Damon was too expensive to sign.

My personal opinion? If you’re going to pay Johnny Damon $3 million, see if Orlando Cabrera would sign first. I think there’s a bigger need at shortstop. I like Paul Janish but the Reds have no backup plan.

[redsrbetter]

Let's put Bronson and Johnny back together...

[cjkalt]

With the Yankees out i believe the Reds are almost the favorite now?

[redsrbetter]

No, I think the A's definitely are the favorite. Sounds like the Braves are out as well.

[cjkalt]

A's can't have anymore money after puttin 10 mil in on sheets? Maybe the Pirates take him for mid-season trade bait?

[redsrbetter]

Pirates have a formidable outfield with Millings, McCutcheon, and Church. But if your point is that we are talking about low budget teams; I hear you.

It is surprising that a team like the Yankees are saying they can't afford him, only to see a team like the Reds or A's say they are willing to make a more suitable offer.

[cjkalt]

Put me in the crowd that thought the Yankees were joking about 2 mil but when they signed Winn today it showed they weren't lying... I guess a team in a Dome could use him... Maybe Tampa trades Crawford for Pitching and then signs Damon? Maybe the Diamondbacks make some room? Maybe the Brewers?

These all seem like real reaches though

[redsrbetter]

The Rays have been said to be in the running for him. And they may very well move Crawford as well. If I am correct, I may be wrong, but Crawford is a free agent after this season I believe.

Then again, Damon will likely only sign to a one year contract being that it will likely be much smaller than he had hoped for.

[DravenX]

Sounds like the Braves are out as well.

Too bad. Not surprised though.

[redsrbetter]

Whats up Draven????

Damon is apparently out for the Reds now. As I said before, Jocketty will deny the rumor. Apparently, Boras was contacted and Damon was merely mentioned while discussing another one of his players.

"They talked about Damon but it doesn't fit financially," Jocketty said. "I don't see us pursuing it."

-Jocketty

Now Castellini is apparently willing to open the wallet for the right player! John Fay reports this on twitter:

CEO Castellini says the Club still looking at free agents. "We're looking to improve." The budget could be adjusted for right player.

Then this:

Reds are still talking to Gomes, OCabrera. Jocketty updated Castellini this morning. I get the sense something is brewing. Gomes?

I think either Gomes or Cabrera will be signed by tomorrow.

[DravenX]

Pretty good Red. Just can't wait for Spring Training.