Bayzball
Let's - Go - Yank - Eees!
)
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 38,617
Likes: 1
Yankees sign OF Damon to four-year, $52 million deal
December 21, 2005
NEW YORK (Ticker) - The New York Yankees have turned to their bitter rival to fill their biggest need.
The Yankees agreed to terms with All-Star center fielder Johnny Damon on a four-year, $52 million contract on Tuesday night.
The 32-year-old Damon spent the last four seasons with the Boston Red Sox, forging his name as one of baseball's top leadoff hitters and charismatic personalities. However, he rejected the team's arbitration offer Monday and wasted little time jumping ship to their most bitter enemy.
Damon continued the line of prominent players who have moved from the Red Sox to the Yankees. It began with Babe Ruth over 85 years ago and has continued more recently with Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens and now Damon.
Damon is a natural fit for the Yankees, who are desperate for a consistent presence in center field, where they tried several options last season to no avail. His arrival officially brings an end to Bernie Williams' tenure as the Yankees' center fielder.
In addition, Damon should step into the leadoff spot in New York's order, allowing Derek Jeter to slide down to second, where he is a more natural fit.
A two-time All-Star, Damon is coming off a season in which he batted .316 with 10 homers and 75 RBI. He also stole 18 bases in 19 attempts and placed fourth in the American League with 117 runs.
Damon owns a career average of .290 with 130 home runs, 700 RBI and 281 career stolen bases in 11 major league seasons with Kansas City, Oakland and Boston.
December 21, 2005
NEW YORK (Ticker) - The New York Yankees have turned to their bitter rival to fill their biggest need.
The Yankees agreed to terms with All-Star center fielder Johnny Damon on a four-year, $52 million contract on Tuesday night.
The 32-year-old Damon spent the last four seasons with the Boston Red Sox, forging his name as one of baseball's top leadoff hitters and charismatic personalities. However, he rejected the team's arbitration offer Monday and wasted little time jumping ship to their most bitter enemy.
Damon continued the line of prominent players who have moved from the Red Sox to the Yankees. It began with Babe Ruth over 85 years ago and has continued more recently with Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens and now Damon.
Damon is a natural fit for the Yankees, who are desperate for a consistent presence in center field, where they tried several options last season to no avail. His arrival officially brings an end to Bernie Williams' tenure as the Yankees' center fielder.
In addition, Damon should step into the leadoff spot in New York's order, allowing Derek Jeter to slide down to second, where he is a more natural fit.
A two-time All-Star, Damon is coming off a season in which he batted .316 with 10 homers and 75 RBI. He also stole 18 bases in 19 attempts and placed fourth in the American League with 117 runs.
Damon owns a career average of .290 with 130 home runs, 700 RBI and 281 career stolen bases in 11 major league seasons with Kansas City, Oakland and Boston.