Johnny Damon has been waiting to sign a new contract. And waiting. And waiting some more. Now it looks like the wait could all be over in the next couple of days.
According to the Lakeland (Fla.) Ledger, Detroit Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski confirmed that his team has extended Damon a contract offer. Damon previously was linked with the Tigers and Atlanta Braves, but all sides had been quiet about any potential contract offers.
Despite a productive 2009 season, the market shrunk quickly for the 36-year-old outfielder when his agent Scott Boras valued his client at a two-year deal worth $20 -million.
The Tigers weren’t willing to meet Boras’ asking price, but reportedly have offered a deal for one or two years at $7 million per. A source “would be very surprised if it's for more than one year,” the Ledger reports.
According to mlive.com, the Tigers already have cleared a locker at their training facility in anticipation of the former Yankee jumping on board.
The New York Post reported previously that the Chicago White Sox offered a one-year deal worth $4.5 million, although Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com reported Friday afternoon that GM Ken Williams has since pulled the proposal, which major league sources indicated was worth $6 million.
Damon’s wife apparently prefers Chicago, but whether Boras can re-engage the White Sox in the negotiations remains to be seen.
