Where in the world is Johnny Damon?
And the answer, as this AP photo will reveal, is Bangkok, Thailand. Damon, whose mother is Thai, checked in on a youth friendship game at an international school today. He's a long way from the outfield gap at Yankee Stadium (or Carmen Sandiego, for that matter).
Back here in New York, all appears quiet so far today on the Yankees front. Of course reports will continue on the Johan Santana situation, but this isn't the sort of situation that promises to be resolved anytime soon. The Yankees aren't the only club involved, and especially with the Red Sox also intrigued, the Twins have absolutely no motivation to move Santana immediately. Nor do they necessarily have to even resolve this before Spring Training.
There's even a chance that Santana reports to Fort Myers, Fla. and plays on in a Twins uniform. It has been well speculated that Minnesota could hold out as late as the July 31 area and see how a half-season of Santana puts them in the AL Central race. The cards are all in the Twins' hands on this one, and the Yankees will simply have to strap in and perform their due diligence.
I'm hoping the Twins hold on to Santana for now. If the Twins are not looking like postseason contenders come July, they will have considerably less leverage than they do now. And the Yanks will have half a season to evaluate their rotation and make a better decision on who, if anyone, gets traded.
And if the Twins let Santana become a free agent, we can offer him everything short of the old stadium.
But the twins will prob trade him now, so time to start the Santana sweepstakes.
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I hope the Twins will hold on too. But, Santana may have the start of another sub-par year lessening his value. Also, good Spring starts by Gardner, Jackson, and Tabata would help.
I expect Cashman will explore some two or three for one trades next week to move some excess pitching and open roster spots. Maybe, a three team trade for Santana is possible.
The next two weeks should be very interesting!!
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That is the primo scenario for us if we can wait until the trade deadline to acquire Johan. Especially if he is 7-4 at the break, and our boys in AAA are having tremendous years, and have even enjoyed a few call-ups. Patience is a virtue.
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I thought Johnny looked a little Asian, didn't know he was half Thai.
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I don't know much about Tabata but that package I could live with. As I posted earlier, this is such a ****-shoot decision to make. But if that's ALL we have to give for Santana, for our rotation to at least look like:
Santana
Wang
Moose
Hughes
Joba
next season, I can live with it. And perhaps Karstens has picked up some acumen this fall and can find a comfortable spot in the pen as long relief/spot starter?
and obsportsgirl? Be careful. You're baseball credibility will be called into question when you blog about Maris in the HOF :) As chaz said, he had 1 great season, homer-wise surrounded by two above average homer seasons. But that's it. Otherwise, he was a career .260 hitter. Now, he was also a two-time MVP with a number of WS rings. He'll get in on a veterans vote someday.
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As for Bryan's last paragraph - I don't believe that Santana will be in a Twin's uni come March. The Steinbrenners apparently want him and you know, what Steiny wants, Steiny gets. Lock him up for 6 years @ $20M per. Then, lets get Andy back and have our rotation look like:
Santana
Wang
Pettitte
Hughes
Moose/Joba?
OR let Joba become the '96 Rivera, setting up a stellar closer while being groomed to eclipse even the master by 2020.
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hah we're already talking about joba passing rivera? let's not get ahead of ourselves.
oh and Santana already turned down a deal for 4 years @20 mill from the twins. Granted we are the yankees and provide a chance to win and 6 years is longer than 4. However, I think this contract is going to be more like 25 mill per year.
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my mistake, twins offered a contract for 6 years for $80 mill but I still think this contract for a cy young pitcher in his prime will go above 20 mill per year
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I hope the Yankees do NOT trade Johnny Damon! He is a much better leftfielder (in my opinion!) than Hideki. Also, if Doug M. will not be our first baseman, Andy Phillips is the ONLY choice to replace him, in my opinion!
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