One has to think at this point David O'Brien of the AJC may have already bought stock in Johnny Damon the way he is pushing the outfielder on Atlanta fans. The latest volley comes from a rather innocuous quote:
"I hope. They are definitely a team that is on top of the list," Damon said in a text message to the Journal-Constitution when asked if he had reason to think or hope the Braves would make him a competitive offer.
Are we really at the top of the list? Is that a list of two, maybe three teams? We've heard these intentions in players before, quite recently in fact, from the ghost of the 2008-2009 off-season. Of course, this quote could have been given in an effort to exact leverage from other teams who may be interested in Damon.
When I was at last Friday's Braves Caravan Q&A session with John Schuerholz and Frank Wren, the issue of Damon came up, and like the Bruce Manno quotes in the AJC article, both of them hedged on whether or not they were interested in Damon. Perhaps telling, though, is that the moderator, Don Sutton, really scoffed and made fun of Damon as a power hitter, sort of dismissing him when repeating the fan's question.
Who knows what the Braves or Damon are really thinking. Until then keep your horse bats handy.
0 recs | 45 comments
Damon is over rated. With 600 AB (like Damon) Matty D has better numbers than Damon without playing in a bandshell.
Schizachyrium - February 10, 2010
And Damon has much better numbers than Melky Cabrera, which is who he’d be replacing in the lineup.
Lennox - February 10, 2010
and Melky’s not starting a starting OF so it doesn’t matter…
Thanks for writing this. Everytime I see a tweet from DOB about this I get a certain feeling. It’s not anger, but it’s like the feeling when Diaz got caught off third to end the season…“why?”
ronjba - February 10, 2010
Melky is a starting OFer. We’ve already got a quote that Bobby is planning on a Melky/Diaz platoon in LF.
Lennox - February 10, 2010
WHAT!?!?
ugh. Matty D just cant get a break
drumzalicious - February 10, 2010
THIS
Can someone get a link to this quote? I need to see the evidence.
J-Freak - February 10, 2010
http://www.talkingchop.com/2010/2/5/1297494/braves-caravan-friday-wren
“Schuerholz said that the game plan Bobby Cox has is to start a platoon of Matt Diaz and Melky Cabrera in left field and Jason Heyward in right field. He then hedged a little on Heyward and followed up his original statement by saying Heyward will have to earn his job, but that he has the inside track on the right field job.”
Lennox - February 10, 2010
Oh buggery
On a personal level- FUCK. What are you thinking, Bobby?
On a business level- drat. Now I have a player preview to revise…
J-Freak - February 10, 2010
except he wouldn’t be replacing Melky, b/c Melky is a 4th outfielder and Damon will play everyday.
Schizachyrium - February 10, 2010
Melky should be a 5th OF, he won’t be though. If we don’t add Damon, Melky is going to be starting most of our games in LF this season.
Lennox - February 10, 2010
how do you know he'll start most of the games in LF?...
just cause they “platoon” doesn’t mean it’s a straight righty lefty split.
And to say Damon is better than Melky is inaccurate. Factor in defense, and as all around players they are about the same. Add Heyward to the mix, and Damon becomes a complete waste of money.
Mr. Sanchez - February 10, 2010
Factor in Defense and Melky is a little more than half as valuable as Damon, going by WAR (1.6 vs 3.0 last season).
And, c’mon, you really think that when they say that Bobby is planning a platoon, it means anything other than a standard lefty/righty platoon?
Lennox - February 10, 2010
With our other OFs...
Melky’s defense (ability to adequately play CF or RF) is a big boost over Damon considering we’ve got Diaz and Heyward capable of filling the corners. And yes, I do think Bobby will not go with a straight Melky vs. righties and Diaz only vs. lefties platoon in LF if that is the two are platooning. Personally, I think it’d be Melky 1-2 starts per week in left, with another 1 or 2 per week in CF or RF, for a total of averaging about 3 starts per week, with Diaz at 4-5, and McLouth/Heyward at 5-6 depending on the week.
Mr. Sanchez - February 10, 2010
What does that have to do with it? Melky would continue to be capable of playing RF or CF whether we have Damon or not.
When has Bobby ever run a “platoon” like that? Which, quite honestly, sounds like something that I would describe as “We plan on a starting OF of Diaz, McLouth, and Heyward, with Melky Cabrera getting a few spot starts around the OF each week to give the guys a day off.”
If that’s what they’re planning, fine, don’t get Damon. But based on what Gondee wrote up in that QnA: "Schuerholz said that the game plan Bobby Cox has is to start a platoon of Matt Diaz and Melky Cabrera in left field " that sounds, to me, like they’re planning for a straight L/R platoon in LF. In which case, I’d much rather have Damon as the L in that platoon than Melky.
Lennox - February 10, 2010
Add Damon...
and its gluttonous. We only have 25 roster spots, so having 5 OFs, + Hinske and Infante is overkill imo. Add Damon, somone else needs to be subtracted, with Diaz being the best candidate. I’d rather have Diaz than Damon, and don’t see a need for 5 OFs on the roster with Hinske and Infante, and likely one other utility player on the bench, capable of filling the role.
Mr. Sanchez - February 10, 2010
I’m not sure how 5 OFers are gluttonous?
Our bench at the start of last season was, Ross, Infante, Prado, Diaz, Norton.
Sure, that’s only 4 OFers, but Norton is practically a position-less player, so it’s not like a Bench of Ross, Infante, Hinske, Diaz, Cabrera would be all that limited by comparison.
Also, if you do take the (IMO) prudent step of starting Heyward in AAA, that opens up a spot on the bench for another infield utility player.
Lennox - February 10, 2010
Yes, but it means that we don't have a real right fielder.
Melky can play RF, but he is better suited for a fourth OF role. Diaz proved he can’t play it last year. The two-folded problem is (A) too many OFs and more importantly (B) too many left fielders.
cavebird - February 10, 2010
It’s certainly not ideal, but I think the long term benefits are worth it.
Hinske, for what it’s worth, has actually been average defensively in RF for his career by UZR, though sample size warnings apply.
Lennox - February 10, 2010
Not true
Mr. Sanchez - February 10, 2010
I seriously think Boras must be paying the AJC with all the writers whining as much as they are since the Vasquez trade.
Schizachyrium - February 10, 2010
I’d take Diaz over Damon any day. Diaz is for real, an everyday player. The end of last season was no fluke
HansonManCrush - February 10, 2010 via mobile
Damon has the name, Diaz has the game.
bwellnjonesco - February 10, 2010
This.
The Keith Lockhart Era - February 10, 2010
I agree. Diaz is by far a much better player all the way around. I even think that diaz would be a better lead off hitter if that were the reason to sign Damon. Keep the money and use it on someone worth while.
rcates - February 10, 2010
Diaz has better OBP… and stole as many bases as Damon last year… makes sense to me.
Schizachyrium - February 10, 2010
Damon still wants a 2 year deal...
…and this outfield cannot possible support that. I don’t even want him for one year. No, no, no, no, no! It’s a weekly rant…. sigh
carpengui - February 10, 2010
more reason to love sutton
Doghnut - February 10, 2010
+1
Schizachyrium - February 10, 2010
This
I miss the guy as a broadcaster. I know he’s doing radio now, but i really would like to see him on TV again. I’m kinda hoping he’ll get Chip’s spot on Peachtree TV, but that of course would just open a hole in the radio booth, so who knows.
J-Freak - February 10, 2010
If i make it to the Athens Caravan stop in time to get in line today, i’ll tell Frank to say no to Damon.
10-4 - February 10, 2010
Do it.
The Keith Lockhart Era - February 10, 2010
Please
Do it! I’m so sick of hearing about Damon it’s ridiculous!
Jay212033 - February 10, 2010
Signing Damon not only wastes money, but it’s also one more outfielder to keep Schafer from getting a shot later in the season if someone goes down. I’m still a Jordan believer and think he’ll rebound nicely. You can’t deny his defensive capability and his bat should continue to develop
HansonManCrush - February 10, 2010 via mobile
Not to mention it also blocks Heyward if we can’t trade someone.
Schizachyrium - February 10, 2010
I forgot about Schafer..
I was rosterbating him with Gwinnet all year, but with all the positive news about him this winter he might find a spot in ATL at some point. Furthur evidence, that Damon is not needed.
bwellnjonesco - February 10, 2010
It's not just DOB......
Bill Shank is pushing Damon just as hard if not harder on fans!
Jay212033 - February 10, 2010
and Jeff Schultz and Mark Bradley…
Schizachyrium - February 10, 2010
NOOOOOOOOOOOO
That is all.
Erihury - February 10, 2010
I'd take him
There are other people I’d rather have, but considering our prospects, I will take what I can get.
golfballs03 - February 10, 2010
Huh?!?!
Jay212033 - February 10, 2010
I’m stuck in a glass case of emotion!
Schizachyrium - February 10, 2010
Confessions
I liked him when he was with Boston…He was a very good lead-off threat with some power. Pretty good base stealling tech…always gave the pitcher something to think about. He was a gung Ho type out fielder who fit his captain Caveman (with beard) persona.
I guess when he lost favior with me was when he “FA” to Boston’s biggest Rival….talk about a traitor!…did his skill start to decline? I would have to say somewhat and now with age comes the injuries.
With all this said I still see….is it 3 World series rings? on his hand?…Maybe there is some kind of voo-doo chili that surounds him? One that could bring home the bacon for Bobby’s last year?
bravestatoo - February 10, 2010
i mean
if Damon wants to sign a 1 year / 3 million dollar deal + incentives, I’d be all for it. let the best player win (and as we all know, you can never have too many ok baseball players over the course of 162 games).
and, i liked Damon in KC. He just seemed like a player i’d like. In oakland, i didn’t see him much. in Boston, i tolerated him and his long hair and beard. in nyc, he made me want to puke.
i’m hoping he reverted to KC form if he comes here.
apoxonbothyourhouses - February 10, 2010
yes
bravestatoo - February 10, 2010
What are the Braves really thinking?
Here’s my uninformed speculation:
Play it safe and do not risk seriously pissing off Boras by catagorically disavowing any glimmer iof interest in his client. Instead, just quietly sit it out the media tempest and wait for the player to sign elsewhere.
fandave - February 10, 2010
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Talking Chop to post a comment.