[DwightShrute]

Report: Braves try to sign Damon


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ESPN.com news services

The Atlanta Braves offered free agent Johnny Damon a one-year deal, MLB.com reported on Wednesday.


Damon
"I think he'd be a good addition," Braves third baseman Chipper Jones told MLB.com. "He's a guy with experience and he provides us depth at the outfield position."
Atlanta's offer is believed to be for one year and includes deferred money. Damon's agent, Scott Boras, has said he is seeking at least a two-year deal.
Atlanta added another former Yankees outfielder in December when it acquired Melky Cabrera in a five-player deal that sent right-hander Javier Vazquez to the World Series champions.
Nate McLouth is set as Atlanta's starter in center field, and is the probable leadoff hitter if the team does not add Damon or another outfielder. Matt Diaz is expected to get most of the playing time at one corner outfield spot.
Braves manager Bobby Cox said last week he envisions Cabrera playing all three outfield spots and possibly sharing a position with Diaz.
Cox said the team is prepared to give 20-year-old outfield prospect Jason Heyward a chance to win a starting job in right field. Heyward made only a brief appearance at Triple-A last season and has fewer than 200 at-bats above Class A.
"Well, there's no reason not to give him a crack at making it," Cox said. "If he is too young, that's fine, too. He can spend some time in Triple-A. But if we think he's ready and he can help us, then let's go."
Heyward (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) has the power potential the Braves need in their outfield. He was voted baseball's top prospect by Baseball America after hitting .323 with 17 homers and 63 RBIs at three minor league stops in 2009.
"If he makes the team, he's playing -- lefties, righties, everybody," Cox said.
The Braves' willingness to give Heyward an opportunity could keep them from engaging in a bidding war for Damon. According to reports, Detroit and Tampa Bay also have interest.
Boras did not return a call to The Associated Press on Wednesday. Braves general manager Frank Wren had no comment on Damon.
After four seasons and one championship, Damon won't be returning to the New York Yankees.
Damon, a left-handed hitter, batted .282 with a career-high tying 24 home runs and 82 RBIs last season. But at 36 years old, the Yankees did not want to re-sign him for more than a year.
In the meantime, the Yankees acquired Curtis Granderson and Randy Winn. Granderson will likely start in center field, Nick Swisher in right, and Winn and Brett Gardner figure to share time in left.
Damon earned $13 million last season. After back-and-forth in negotiations yielded little, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported that the Yankees offered Damon a one-year deal in early January but have since backed off.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[spartangreen]

He is going to sign with the Tigers, the Braves offered him a contract but the numbers are low.

[spartangreen]

source: Fox Sports, 20 minutes ago.


Tigers owner Mike Ilitch has authorized a two-year, $14 million offer to free-agent outfielder Johnny Damon, according to major-league sources.
Damon also is considering a one-year, $7 million proposal from the Tigers, one source said. His agent, Scott Boras, is seeking a two-year deal.

The Braves also have made an offer to Damon, believed to be in the $4 million to $4.5 million range with significant deferrals.

The Braves are unlikely to go beyond their one-year offer, industry sources said. Atlanta would prefer to avoid a multi-year commitment, because outfield prospects Jason Heyward and Jordan Schafer could contribute in 2010.

Damon lives in Orlando, so Atlanta would make better geographic sense. But one source doubts that Damon would turn down a two-year offer from the Tigers in order to accept a one-year deal with the Braves.

Plus, Damon has spent his entire career in the American League, so he knows the pitchers well.

[PureGuava]

i rather him stay with yankees

[WINGZ]

Damon would NOT be a plus for da braves

[Boner_18]

i rather him stay with yankees

I can't tell if you are a Yankee fan or not. As a Bomber fan I am glad to see him go. Liability that's what he is.

[whatsgood5]

Damon would NOT be a plus for da braves

Very true. I don't want him fukking up my team.

[THEGREAT30]

We need power, we being the Braves

[Shortstop]

Needs to stay in the AL where he can DH. Pathetic arm.

I agree with this...

[daneblazer]

Boras is just using them as leverage to get a bigger contract from Detroit or Chicago. He's not going to the ATL.

[Zou_fan]

I agree with Blazer. Looks like Boras is employing his bring more and more teams to the table move. I would be surprised to see him in a Braves uniform

[Doug]

Needs to stay in the AL where he can DH. Pathetic arm.

agree