Man, this has been a busy off season so far. First the Yanks resign Matsui. Then Beckett goes to the real Evil Empire! Then Carlos Delgado gets his crap outta Florida to move to New York. NOW, the Mets are reportedly going to sign Billy Wagner. Not to mention, Jim Thome's Phily exit to the 2005 World Series champion Chicago White Sox. Who's next to get picked up? Or better question, who's the next guy the Mets will pick up?

First the Blue Jays pick up BJ Ryan and now they've got AJ Burnett

The Marlins trade Juan Pierre to the Cubs for some more pitching. (Pfft, who are they kidding?)

With the money we've spent I'm expecting a 35+ Save, 100+ K season with an E.R.A. less than 2.75 from B.J. Ryan and a 15+ Win, 175+ K season with an E.R.A. less than 3.25 from A.J. Burnett. If we add a couple of decent bats to compliment Vernon Wells and Shea Hillenbrand (anyone but Kevin Mench) the Blue Jays have a pretty good shot at capturing the A.L. Wild Card next season.

I wouldn't be so sure about A.J., he's had a multitude of arm problems, I think the Jays payed WAY too much for him.

1 less centerfielder for the Yanks to get

Astros don't resign Clemens! Yanks or Sox gonna go after him?

Damon going to the Yanks!?

Damon set to join Evil Empire?

December 7, 2005

Once an Idiot, always an Idiot? Not necessarily, free-agent centerfielder and leadoff hitter extraordinaire Johnny Damon insisted yesterday.

In something of an about-face, Damon sounded frustrated enough to leave the organization for which he became world champion, chief Idiot and marketable marquee man. What's more, Damon suggested in a phone interview with Newsday that he'd be happy to do the once-unthinkable and bolt for the short-haired, straight-laced arch-enemy Yankees.

Damon, a natural for the biggest stage, actually seemed as excited about the possibility of becoming a Yankee as he was annoyed about his slow-moving negotiations with Boston. And he seemed quite annoyed.

"I think New York's a great city," Damon said.

Damon also thinks the Yankees have a great team, and he's thought about joining them. "I have," he said. "That's a lineup people dream about. It would be one of the best lineups we've seen in a long time."

Meanwhile, Damon portrayed negotiations with Boston as somewhat of a nightmare. The way he described it, Boston's first and second offers were the same - three years for $27 million and a fourth-year option. That's not close to the three-year, $39-million contract the Dodgers gave less accomplished leadoff man Rafael Furcal. Nor is it in the ballpark of the asking price of agent Scott Boras: $84 million over seven years.

At one point, Damon actually sounded as if he might be over Boston. "It's been a pretty cool ride the past couple of years," he said. But he suggested the Sox still have a chance, saying, "They've got to step up, and really quick ... They've dragged their feet long enough."

Damon could be accused of trying to drum up business, or perhaps of trying to rouse the Red Sox. But Damon forever has been one of the most honest guys in the game, and it's difficult to doubt that his litany of specific complaints was anything but heartfelt.

"They're just one of the teams in the market right now," Damon said of Boston. "They've had all the time in the world, and I've given them every chance before last season and during the season. It wasn't until after the season that they wanted to start talking. By that time, I'd taken all the risk and played through all the injuries.

"Now I'm a free agent, and I'll see what's out there. I'm excited about it."

He predicted he'll decide in "10 days to two weeks," and while the possibility of a Yankees-Red Sox battle looms, the Angels, Dodgers and Blue Jays are showing interest, too. Boras met yesterday with the Yankees, desperate for a centerfielder even if they aren't acting like it.

From here, Damon looks like the perfect solution: a dynamic leader and leadoff hitter, personable, proven in a big market and as durable as anyone. What's more, the Yankees could keep their few coveted prospects if they sign him rather than trade, their only other viable option.

Alex Rodriguez told Newsday, "Johnny Damon is, along with Ichiro Suzuki, the best leadoff hitter in the game. But it's in their hands. I have all the trust in the Yankees."

There are those who'll point out that Damon's 32 or that his arm is no cannon. But the only real knock is the asking price. There's no excuse for the Yankees, who have suggested publicly they won't go beyond three or four years, not to make a real play.

"I definitely want the years," Damon said. "The four years in Boston seemed to fly by."

It's been a great four years. Yet he seemed saddened by some of what's happened in Boston lately.

Damon yesterday second-guessed the losses of Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe and several members of the support staff, lamented the probable loss of other fellow Idiots and worried about the possible trade of Manny Ramirez.

"The clubhouse is changing. Our team doctor is gone, and our team chiropractor is gone ... Bill Mueller will be gone. And Kevin Millar, who was instrumental in keeping the clubhouse loose," Damon said. "There's been a lot of changes. That's why signing me early was very important.

"We were guys who didn't care about The Curse. That's the reason we were able to win. Without certain guys, it's going to be tough. There were a lot of changes last year, which never should have happened. Pedro and Derek Lowe could pitch on the big stage."

Damon expressed much warmer feelings about the Yankees, and he expressed no reservations about their much stricter rules. "I would cut the hair and I would stay clean-shaven," Damon said. "George Steinbrenner has the policy for a reason, and you have to respect that. I've never been one to challenge authority."

Damon heaped praise upon Rodriguez, whom several of Damon's teammates took turns ripping last winter (It was "us being jealous not getting him ... Alex has always been a class act"), Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi ("the absolute best" teammate), Yankees fans ("I think the fans respect me") and everything else pinstriped or associated with pinstripes.

Damon pointed out how he could help. "The Yankees haven't won since [Chuck] Knoblauch," he said. "Jeter's an incredible leadoff hitter. But he was the game's best No. 2 hitter."

He's right; a Yankees lineup beginning with Damon, Jeter and A-Rod should be too enticing to pass up, even for the suddenly cost-conscious Yankees.

Nah, I think he's done. He wanted to finish at home, and he did, pitching arguably the best in his career.

Yanks let go of Kevin Brown, Alan Embree, Matt Lawton, John Flaherty, Tino Martinez, Rey Sanchez, Felix Rodriguez and Ruben Sierra.

They traded Tony Womack to the Reds for minor leaguers Kevin Howard and Ben Himes. Howard, a 24-year-old third baseman, led the Arizona Fall League with a .409 average this season and was second with a .475 on-base percentage. He hit .296 with 12 home runs, 70 RBIs and 13 stolen bases last season with Double-A Chattanooga. Himes, a 24-year-old outfielder, ranked eighth among all Reds prospects with a combined .300 batting average in 98 games for Class A Sarasota and Class A Dayton in 2005.

Finally, they signed Mike Myers who went 3-1 with a 3.13 ERA in 65 games for the Red Sox last season, holding left-handed hitters to a .158 average and a .198 on-base percentage in 95 at-bats.

WHAT THE F*CK!?


FOXSports.com has confirmed that the Rangers have traded second baseman Alfonso Soriano to the Nationals in exchange for three players. The Rangers will get outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge, as well as Class AA right-hander Armando Galarraga in the deal.

The Braves, acting to replace Rafael Furcal at shortstop, have acquired shortstop Edgar Renteria from the Red Sox for Class AAA third baseman Andy Marte, FOXSports.com has confirmed.

No longer wanted in Texas, All-Star pitcher Kenny Rogers agreed to a $16 million, two-year contract Thursday with the Tigers, following negotiations that were first reported by Ken Rosenthal, senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com.

Geez, all overnight on me

The Jays traded P Dave Bush, minor league P Zach Jackson and OF Gabe Gross to the Milwaukee Brewers for 1B Lyle Overbay. I think this is a good move for the Blue Birds as it should settle the Shea Hillenbrand/Eric Hinske situation at first base (Hinske will likely be traded and Hillenbrand will either DH or platoon at 3B with Corey Koskie). Overbay had 80 R, 148 H, 19 HR, 72 RBI and hit .276 last season. I think Overbay will have a breakout year next season and hit .290+, with 20+ HR and 90+ RBI. He's 28 and considering the fact that we gave up next to nothing to acquire him its safe to say that this trade will pay huge dividends for many seasons to come.

Guys, I'm going to be the Marlins' new 1st Basemen! They signed me to a two minute, five dollar deal!

No, I'm the new Marlins skipper!

Good thing my contract is only 17 Hours, $50, and a hooker.

But really, I can't be the only one who thinks the Yanks will go after Damon, overpay him, and deal with another aging geezer in the outfield.

Still, imagine Cave Man with Godzilla and, err, Sheffster, in the backfield...

Lol! Poor Miami. I don't understand how a city with a population of over 5 million people cannot support an MLB team. If the Florida Panthers can survive surely the Marlins can.

You know, THAT is a good question.

How the hell are the Panthers still around? Did I miss something?

Well when you trade all of your stars for spit, you're not gonna have a lot of fans back

You're correct. And when you do it TWICE, it doesn't help. They lost ALOT of fans after the first fire sale.

Exactly. Once could be forgiven (like the MLB strike in 1995) but doing it twice would do more damage

Both were solid, and in fact I would have preferred them starting Flaherty at catcher and let Jorge eat more donuts.

I don't see why they let go of Ruben. I would have loved to have him stay as a bench player/DH

What does everybody think of the Mets signing Julio Franco? I can't understand why the Braves let go of him. I know that I would pay to see him play and since next season the Blue Jays are playing the Mets in interleague play at the SkyDome I might get my chance.

Now Tejada is saying he DOESN'T want to be traded, but only wants Baltimore to go out and get an ace since they need pitching. Glad to see that Manny-for-Miguel trade might FINALY be dead

Soriano to the Nats! YEAH BABY

Now I hear the Yanks might try to sign Nomar Garciaparra and have him play first with Giambi being the DH. Image that infield, Nomar/Cano/A-Rod/Jeter

The Dodgers have traded outfielder Milton Bradley to the A's for one of Oakland's top minor-league prospects, FOXSports.com has learned.

Man, a lot of these all-stars/"name" players are being traded for minor leaguers. What's going on with that?

While I think Nomar has been getting a bum rap, and got screwed in Beantown, I don't think this is a wise move. Stop experimenting with these flogging players and either keep Giambi at first base (at least he's better than Ortiz) or go shop for a durable fielding 1B.

Better yet, get Manny Ramirez, play him at DH, and leave Giambi at first. I think Giambi at first would still be better than Manny in LF.

The White Sox have acquired veteran right-hander Javier Vazquez in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks will receive veteran right-hander Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, relief pitcher Luis Vizcaino, and minor league outfielder Chris Young.

Dodgers sign Bill Mueller (yet another Red Sox to leave boston)

It's being reported that the Dodgers signed Nomar

The Seattle Mariners have reached an agreement on a four-year contract with Los Angeles Angels free-agent left-handed pitcher Jarrod Washburn.