Damon Courting the Reds

[jimbo]

Boras and Damon are trying to engage the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds as possible alternatives, a baseball source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.

Cincinnati's outfield alignment currently consists of Jay Bruce in right field, Drew Stubbs in center field and Chris Dickerson in left. The Reds' leadoff hitters also ranked last in the major leagues with a .650 OPS in 2009.

The catch is, the Reds and Tigers don't appear to have much money left in the budget. Both clubs have been economizing this offseason, and that might be truer than ever now that Cincinnati has signed Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman and Detroit has added closer Jose Valverde. Both teams would probably have to get creative to make a run at Damon.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4861828

I hope the Reds are considering this. I'm all for it if the price is right.

[CRedsLarkin11]

Just depends on what they think I guess. If you really think we have a shot this year, get Damon (which as a fan I can't help but be excited about that) but if not, you might as well give a prospect a shot such as Heisey or even a Balentien. The problem is, if history repeats itself, the Reds will wait and let Damon sign somewhere else then sign some over the hill vet at a minor league contract who will take at bats away from our prospects.

[Redsfan320]

If he would come, I'd love to have him here.

He'd fill that 2nd hole in the batting order, and be an answer to the LF problem.

On the other hand, it does block Heisey, etc., but if the price is right, I'm all for it.


BTW, jimbo, you beat tORG by 3 minutes!

320

[mattfeet]

What price would be "right" in your opinion? I say nothing more than 1-2 year 5mil/year deal. Anything over that is sorely overpaying IMO.

-Matt

[Redsfan320]

That sounds about right. 1-2 yr. 4-5 M. If he'd settle for 3.5 or 4, that would be great, but I'd say he's worth more than the great Willy Taveras.

320

[mattfeet]

Oh without a doubt. What would happen financially to the Reds if Willy had an "accident" and could no longer play baseball? (not that he can now, but anyways...)

-Matt

[reds77]

Sure the guy cannot hit the cut-off man when throwing one in from LF, but I'm worth the risk if the price is right for his bat in LF.

[malcontent]

No Damon. Please.

[fewfirstchoice]

Id give him a 2 yr 13mil. deal. 6 mil 2010 and 7 mil 2011.

[Redsfan320]

Id give him a 2 yr 13mil. deal. 6 mil 2010 and 7 mil 2011

That's a little high, don't you think. I don't know if Bob can manage to open his checkbook that much after doing it for Chapman.

320

[Redsfan320]

No Damon. Please.

Why? If we can get him for under 5 M a yr., we've got a good 2nd hitter. (MUCH better than Janish, at least), and it would let Janish bat 8th, where we could keep him in the line-up.

320

[bounty37h]

I say no just to say "F you" to Boras

[Caveman Techie]

As has been stated before, it only makes sense if you think the Reds can make a real run at the division title this year. Otherwise, let the youngun's play.

[Glove o' Gold]

We have too many in house options to go after Damon. I would think that at least 1 of Heisey, Dickerson, Frazier, Francisco, Nix, Anderson, or Alonso could step up and fill our hole in left.

[SidneySlicker]

I'd do it for a reasonable contract something in the 1-2 years 4-5mil range. Doubt that'd get it done. He'd probably put up decent numbers at GABP and he'd be a tradeable commodity if the Reds fail to contend. I'd keep Stubbs in center and look at Damon in left with Dickerson as the 4th outfielder.