Johnny Damon: Either extremely arrogant or really, really dumb
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 8:47 am by SJK
From Marky Mark Feinsand:
Damon is still seeking a three-year contract without taking a pay cut - that would put a deal at $39million - believing that his performance last season was good enough for him to continue earning an annual salary of $13 million. And after watching Mike Cameron - who is almost a year older than Damon - ink a two-year pact with the Red Sox, Damon sees no reason for him to settle for less than three.
"Players out there are getting multi-year deals," Damon said. "(Andy) Pettitte got a raise at 37, even though it was only one year. Cameron is 37 (he turns 37 in January) and he got two years. We're not going to know much until we start negotiating with teams, but that should happen soon."
"I've been too busy with the kids to worry about it," Damon said. "We're just going about our business and our life. I'm not really too concerned about it. We'll find a team elsewhere if the Yankees don't bring me back."
We find it hilarious when people talk about a player's preference to play for a certain team, because bottom line, these guys are mercenaries. They only care about money. You really think Damon would say to himself, "Well in NY, I have a chance to play for a championship" and take less money to stay? That's what fans want to think, but it isn't reality. If he stays, it's because the Yankees gave him the best offer.
Re: Damon, the guy obviously thinks he is bigger than market forces and a still struggling economy. Or, he's just dumb.
yeah… go with dumb as a fking rock. Seems like a safe bet.
“He’s not complicated.” – Joe Torre on Johnny Damon’s Intelligence
How about just a mercenary. He is not dumb, maybe misled, maybe unable to except his career is ending.
The guy has made almost $100million in baseball contracts, not including endorsement money.
I can’t imagine he has spent it all. Does he really think at the end of his career a few more million dollars is what is going to make him happy?
He has a borderline HOF career. Will a few extra million make him happier than the NY limelight, the chance to win 1 or 2 more WS rings, and further pad his stats?
dsss – where did he spend it all? heard Bernie Madoff got some. also, hes got a zillion cars…
also, this could very well be his last baseball contract, his last chance for a big payday (dont see people waiting in line to buy his autobiography, “Johnny on Johnny: Johnny on hair, beards and baseball… in that order”) – i would hold out for every last penny if it was my last chance to make money for the rest of my life… although i never made $100 million in my life…
in any case, i think 2 years, $25 million is fair
The Yanks should set a deadline for two hours from now for Johnny. He doesn’t sign, they move on. I don’t see his value if he’s going to be mainly a DH.
“I am going to start looking around,” Damon was quoted as saying by The Post. “Teams are getting better, and there are teams interested. I can’t wait forever, and I am sure [the Yankees] are trying to figure things out. I have to be ready.”
I’m sure teams are just clamoring to pay you and your noodle-arm $13 mill into your 40′s. Don’t let the door hit you etc.
Lata, johnny, clean your locker out by monday. I’ve had enough of your garbage. Go hang out with Scott Boras and Pat Sajak.
Damon is as dumb as a rock.
He lost most of his fortune in the madoff/stamford ponzi scheme.
He doesn’t have as much as you’d think.
What is wrong with Damon seeking out to receive a bigger contract. What does he owe to us Yankee fans? He did the same a couple of years ago when he left Boston to become a Yankee and help solidify a championship with us. With this troubling economy why not get as much as possible. He is still playing the game he loves, and a extra zero each paycheck would look a lot better. Stop being critical of players and acting as if they owe us something- just like Robert Deniro in ‘The Bronx Tale’ do you think Joe Dimaggio cares when we get upset? No, they don’t owe us anything!
this is ridiculous let damon fly a kite. Cashman should give him a price if he dont like it TOO bad! this is the New York Yankees organization since when do they heed to a players obnoxious request? (or some overpaid and arrogant big-head agent named scott boras.) Lets see what kind of contract hell get from another team! GO GRANDERSON!!
Yes let Damon and Matsui walk and replace them with Prvt. Pile ..Awesome!!!….Granderson is a great addition but wont make up for both Damon & Matsui.
Damon is just dumb. He’s totally bought into Boras’ BS. Makes me appreciate Paul O’Neill even more.
I find it kind of ridiculous that 98% of the population has an IQ within 5-10 points of one another, yet there are a bunch of keyboard-fucking mongoloid monkeys on here debating a person’s intelligence over a baseball-related contract issue.
With that said, if Damon doesn’t take a pay cut, let him walk.
Here’s the deal – 3 years @ 27mm – add some incentives for production and staying healthy. Damon still has it – the only people saying he doesn’t are the Boston cheap bastards who let him go. Damon wants or should want to stay in NY. He is well suited for this market. When he stops plying he is a natural for staying on with the Yankees is some management role.
I hope Boras’ ego and attitude don’t sway him – He should see that Boras does fantastic for guys in their primes, but fails some of the guys who are still good but in decline.
2009
DH/LF Damon + Matsui = 52 HR & 172 RBI
2010
DH/LF Granderson + Johnson = 50 HR & 135 RBI ?
Then add A-Rod’s missed month from last year and deduct the baserunning loss of Damon but add Granderson’s speed and the fact that these are also “quality” clubhouse guys and you’re probably in good shape, younger and better “D”
It’s just business.
Great take, massapequa.
Everybody (myself included) gets emotional at first, but I’ll defer to Ca$h and crew. The front office has been on the right track, and they ain’t done, yet…
aww too bad damon got screwed because of his agent? how sad. where will he end up now no other team will be willing to give 3 years 40 million hell get the same pay cut the yankees offered but only by some losing team. serves him right. His production will be missed but stubborness leads to nothing when youre dealing with the all powerful yankees organization. Go steinbrenners!!!!! (screw u boras!!)
channel surfing looking for something to send me to sleep