Johnny Damon
LF FA
Thu 2/16/12 2:34 PM

Jonny Damon told CBS Sports' Jon Heyman that he's unsure why the Yankees haven't made him an offer. "I think it's a perfect fit,'' Damon said of filling the Yanks' left-handed DH role. "But for some reason you have the year I had, especially with a team that has trouble scoring, and you can't even get a call to continue playing." The 38-year-old batted .261/.326/.418 with 16 home runs and 73 RBI last year for Tampa Bay but could remain unsigned when spring training gets underway next week. The Yankees are thought to be deciding between Damon, Raul Ibanez and Hideki Matsui.

Johnny Damon
LF FA
Tue 2/14/12 10:50 AM

Joel Sherman of the New York Post was told by executives of three teams with interest in Johnny Damon that they are concerned his quest for 3,000 hits is affecting his plate discipline. Damon, who is 277 hits away from 3,000, swung more often and chased more pitches outside the zone last season and had his lowest walk rate since 2005. However, the 38-year-old refused to say his increased aggressiveness had anything to do with the milestone. "I think the OBP (on-base percentage) went down because in 2011 I felt like there were tough calls on me so I was a little more aggressive," Damon told Sherman via text message. "I liked the results with production better because of it." The Yankees are reportedly considering Damon, Raul Ibanez or Hideki Matsui for their DH spot.

Johnny Damon
LF FA
Mon 2/6/12 1:01 PM

Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM reports that the Orioles, Mariners, Athletics and Yankees are "still playing on" Johnny Damon. As in, they've all four expressed interest in recent weeks. But Damon has struggled to attract serious offers throughout this offseason, and will probably have to drop his asking price in order to land somewhere soon. The 38-year-old designated hitter batted .261/.326/.418 with 16 home runs and 73 RBI last year for Tampa Bay.

Johnny Damon
LF FA
Sat 2/4/12 9:20 AM

Manager Joe Girardi acknowledged Johnny Damon as a player the Yankees could potentially pursue at designated hitter. ''Johnny has been a great player for a long time," Girardi said. "There's been a bunch of names talked about, and they're all good players. Obviously, we know what Johnny and [Hideki Matsui] have meant to this organization. ... I can't tell you it's going to be one of those guys, but we know they know how to play here." Damon, 38, batted .261 with 16 homers and 73 RBI this past season. He has received little interest on the free agent market.

Johnny Damon
LF FA
Thu 1/26/12 10:06 AM

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun writes that the Orioles aren't motivated to pursue Johnny Damon. Damon looked like a real possibility for the O's just a couple of days ago, but they don't have a huge need at designated hitter after signing Wilson Betemit this week. The Tigers just signed Prince Fielder to a mega-contract, so a return to Detroit appears to be a long shot. While the Yankees can't be ruled out, they appear content to wait things out.

Johnny Damon
LF FA
Tue 1/24/12 2:04 PM

Johnny Damon said Tuesday that he would be open to a returning to the Tigers in 2012. Detroit needs a replacement at DH after losing Victor Martinez for the year to an ACL tear. And Damon would be open to talking about filling that vacancy. "I have interest knowing that I loved playing there and they are a team built to win," he told the Free Press on Tuesday. The 38-year-old batted .261/.326/.418 with 16 homers and 73 RBI in 150 games last season for Tampa Bay.

Johnny Damon
LF FA
Sun 1/22/12 2:13 PM

Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that the Tigers "are indeed pursuing" Johnny Damon. Morosi says Damon is a "stronger possibility" for the Tigers than Derrek Lee, who has also been mentioned as an option. Damon, who batted .271/.355/.401 with eight homers and 11 steals in 2010 for Detroit, would be able to help out in the DH slot with the loss of Victor Martinez and also can play some left field should the Tigers choose to use Delmon Young as a DH, as well.

Johnny Damon
LF FA
Sun 1/22/12 11:55 AM

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Johnny Damon "badly" wants to rejoin the Yankees, but the team is "not set on any one DH type." Sherman also notes that the Yanks will wait for their deals for Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda to be finalized before they make any other moves. Damon could also potentially be an option for the Tigers, and the Orioles have come interest, as well. The 38-year-old batted .261/.326/.418 with 16 homers, 73 RBI and 19 stolen bases for the Rays in 2011.

Johnny Damon
LF FA
Sun 1/15/12 3:28 PM

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Yankees have talked to Johnny Damon about possibly being their designated hitter. Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York reported previously that Damon and the Yanks could be a fit, and evidently the team's brass agrees with him. Damon probably wouldn't play every day, and he'd likely have to settle for a deal well under the $5.25 million he earned in 2011. He had a pretty decent year with the Rays last season, batting .261/.326/.418 with 16 homers, 73 RBI and 19 stolen bases.

Johnny Damon
LF FA
Sun 1/15/12 11:26 AM

Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York was told by a source that if the Yankees do add a hitter, it will be at the "right price in a late deal." In other words, don't expect them to make a run at Prince Fielder. Marchand floats the names of former Yankees Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui as possibilities for semi-regular DH duty, though it's not clear at this point if the team has interest in either. He also notes that the Yanks are likely to give Alex Rodriguez a day or two per week in the DH slot, and that Derek Jeter could spend some time there, as well.