One day after completing a trade for Detroit's Curtis Granderson, the Yankees could be on the verge of adding another — more familiar — outfielder.
According to ESPN.com, New York has started negotiating with free agent Johnny Damon in the hopes of putting him back in pinstripes in 2010.
Damon doesn't think the Granderson deal will have any effect on his chances of returning to New York.
"I don't think it affects what I can still do," he told the New York Post. "Either they come out and pursue me or they don't. I still know how to play baseball and will make any team better."
One of the big hold-ups with Damon and the Yankees has been his salary. While Damon — who just completed a four-year, $52 million deal — still thinks he deserves top dollar, New York may be hesitant to pay him $13 million over multiple seasons, now that he's 35 and somewhat injury-prone.
If the Yankees can't work out a deal with Damon, ESPN.com reports they are likely to pursue Mark DeRosa or Mike Cameron.
