Teams say Johnny Damon and Vladimir Guerrero are looking for deals worth $5MM or so, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark tweets. The asking prices appear to be suppressing interest in the pair of designated hitters.
Though Damon and Guerrero are among the biggest names available in free agency, they haven't played the outfield regularly in years and will likely be limited to DH or bench jobs in 2012. At this point in the offseason, most AL teams have a DH in place and clubs have limited funds for complementary players, so the market for Damon and Guerrero doesn't appear strong.
Damon, 38, signed for $8MM in February of 2010 and for $5.25MM at the end of January, 2011. Guerrero also has experience signing late. The 36-year-old signed for $7.6MM in February of 2011.
I didn’t know Guerrero was 26 years old. I guess $5M is a bargain.
A player from the Dominican Republic misrepresenting his age?? What are the odds?
Too soon, bro.
His 1998 season was the best-ever by a 13 year-old. .960 OPS for a guy whose voice hadn’t changed? SICK.
a 13-year old? haha, maybe the best comment I’ve ever seen in my life.
he’s got Ferris Bueller beat….
Dude is entering prime years!
Not in any position to negotiate at 5 mill
So now Guerrero lied about his age? I wonder what his real name is.
26 years old eh?
Vlad only got 8m coming off of a monster season. How can he think he will get 5m coming off of a mediocre season (DH standards) in another decent offensive park?
Like Vlad and all,but both Damon and Vlad are playing a wishing game here and looking at the DH market like it was 3-4 years ago.
My money is on Vlad coming to reality 1st, over the Damon brain washed Boras, who may take until after ST to realize nobody will pay that much.
Vlad is already in the HOF. Damon NEEDS 3,000 hits to get there. I seriously doubt Vlad changes his mind first.
Given their skill sets and the market, I think they should simply focus on finding any work at all.
I would take Guerrero back as an Orioles fan, I would be one of the few, but I would take him. Offer him 2 million plus the three that the O’s deferred in 2011 and get rid of the contract once and for all. Damon wants 5 million too, if he gets it, I am certain it won’t be from the Mets. Damon doesn’t have many options and neither does Guerrero.
If either is willing to go down to 4 million, they probably could get a good deal from a team interested in having a DH/hitting coach.
Vladi as a hitting coach teaching young players plate discipline…nice! Maybe Vlad could get Alfonso Soriano to help with that too lol 😛
Maybe Stark was referring to Damon and Guerrero seeking $5MM book deals?
I think I would read a Damon book. Vlad does not seem nearly as interesting.
If Damon lowers his sights to $2-3 million he would be a possible fit for the A’s.
god i hope not, a’s shouldn’t want him and definitely don’t need him
You do realize the only player last year that played over 100 games and had a higher OPS than Damon last year was Willingham and he’s gone….Willingham was the only one who hit more HRs than him too. The only two players that played more than 100 games last year and had a higher OBP are both gone (Willingham/Sweeney). If you want to give some of the younger guys a chance to DH that might be a good idea but the A’s offense needs all the help it can get.
Yea, that was my thought. The young guy (Carter) isn’t so young anymore and has failed twice, and he, like Gomes, bats from the right side.
Ya the young 1B/DH types aren’t so young anymore and have failed several times and Damon on a 1 year low salary deal wouldn’t be a bad idea. The A’s have even said they’re interested in bringing him back. I’m guessing he’ll end up in NY where he’ll get more media love for the HOF and get to hit in a ballpark much better suited for him after Detroit and Tampa. And I’d think money wouldn’t be the end all when it’ll be a small salary anywhere. He’s made over $100MM and the HOF probably means more to him than a few extra $100K. Of course he has taken the most money every time he’s hit free agency…minus Boras screwing him over after 2009 and having to run to his brainwashed owner in Detroit.
if the a’s were planning on contending, like they intended to the 2010/2011 offseason when i advocated for them to sign manny, i would agree. only problem is, the a’s only have 5% chance at BEST of contending this year, so no reason to waste $5 million on a player who would only take a spot from someone who’d cost league minimum. save that $5 million for soler or multiple draft picks.
the crisp signing i was fine with knowing he’d be flipped at some point for a prospect if he proves healthy. the seth smith trade…jury’s still out on that one, gave up expendable pieces so i was fine with that part. jonny gomes, i wasn’t crazy about that, again, signing someone who’s now taking the spot of someone who’d just cost league minimum. signing a DH is pointless when, if our options there just reach a third of their potential, will give the same output for $5 million less
if the a’s were planning on contending, like they intended to the 2010/2011 offseason when i advocated for them to sign manny, i would agree. only problem is, the a’s only have 5% chance at BEST of contending this year, so no reason to waste $5 million on a player who would only take a spot from someone who’d cost league minimum. save that $5 million for soler or multiple draft picks.
the crisp signing i was fine with knowing he’d be flipped at some point for a prospect if he proves healthy. the seth smith trade…jury’s still out on that one, gave up expendable pieces so i was fine with that part. jonny gomes, i wasn’t crazy about that, again, signing someone who’s now taking the spot of someone who’d just cost league minimum. signing a DH is pointless when, if our options there just reach a third of their potential, will give the same output for $5 million less
if the a’s were planning on contending, like they intended to the 2010/2011 offseason when i advocated for them to sign manny, i would agree. only problem is, the a’s only have 5% chance at BEST of contending this year, so no reason to waste $5 million on a player who would only take a spot from someone who’d cost league minimum. save that $5 million for soler or multiple draft picks.
the crisp signing i was fine with knowing he’d be flipped at some point for a prospect if he proves healthy. the seth smith trade…jury’s still out on that one, gave up expendable pieces so i was fine with that part. jonny gomes, i wasn’t crazy about that, again, signing someone who’s now taking the spot of someone who’d just cost league minimum. signing a DH is pointless when, if our options there just reach a third of their potential, will give the same output for $5 million less
You do realize the only player last year that played over 100 games and had a higher OPS than Damon last year was Willingham and he’s gone….Willingham was the only one who hit more HRs than him too. The only two players that played more than 100 games last year and had a higher OBP are both gone (Willingham/Sweeney). If you want to give some of the younger guys a chance to DH that might be a good idea but the A’s offense needs all the help it can get.
god i hope not, a’s shouldn’t want him and definitely don’t need him
If/When he lowers his price he’ll end up being the Yankee DH.
If/When he lowers his price he’ll end up being the Yankee DH.
maybe combined they can get to 5 mil
I know they are old but still they are playing for that last paycheck and a chance to get into the hall. Both are borderline in my book and I would hate to see two players with such successful careers forced into retirement.
Now dont get me wrong they are both shells of their former self but still they could be useful in some capacity, especially damon.
It would be forced on their account and no one elses. Can they not live with a 2mil a year deal? I think about 200 people could easily live off that a year.
They are just being stubborn like derrek lee is. No one wants that kind of player on their team.
200 people could live off a total fo $2 million? Not in America.
I can see how their agents would argue this high of a value… but it looks like the market is going to dictate something lower. Who are the potential suitors here? Yanks? Jays?
Not the Jays. EE is a better option at this point than either Damon or Vladdy. (Better in terms of positional flexibility as well as greater potential)
True. EE can play anywhere in the park. Of course he can’t play WELL at any of the positions, but he will play them. Unless the Jays have any brains at all.
True. EE can play anywhere in the park. Of course he can’t play WELL at any of the positions, but he will play them. Unless the Jays have any brains at all.
Vlad needs 410 hits for 3,000 and 51 HRs for 500. He ain’t goin’ quietly.
He would have to play for 3 years, I really hope he hits the milestones but he would need a big bounce back year and maybe show some ranged in the OF to justify playing for the next 3 years.
Damon needs 277 hits for 3,000. Add his massive ego, and he’ll sign for $12 an hour with the Astros to keep playing.
Damon needs 277 hits for 3,000. Add his massive ego, and he’ll sign for $12 an hour with the Astros to keep playing.
he’s already in the HOF…
Vlad needs 410 hits for 3,000 and 51 HRs for 500. He ain’t goin’ quietly.
Make it a package deal. Buy one, get the other 50% off. Hurry, supplies are limited.
Thats what they did with manny last year!
Thats what they did with manny last year!
I made the same mistake in MLB the show and was lucky to get a spring training invite.
As a yankees fan after seeing the chances they made last year and having a couple pay off (Chavez, Colon) I wouldn’t mind seeing Damon back at the stadium but for $2m or $3m max.
good life, vlad.
Would much rather have Vlad or Damon at $5M than Ortiz at $12-16M
Ortiz is the much better player by far than either of the other two. Worth $12-15mil? No, but I think he could easily make the $5 mil more than Damon and Vladdy.
I think they are both very likable guys and could be a better bench option then most utility guys but not for 5mil. I hope their asking price doesnt retire them both….that would be a shame, they are both good for the game
If I’m a GM I’d give them 5 MM COMBINED… That’d be one hell of a DH platoon!
OK, Rays fan here. I want to call out all the Rays bloggers who have been crying out for Andrew Friedman’s head on a platter for not bringing Damon back. That it was greatest mistake in the history of the franchise, that the FO has no loyalty to a hero like Johnny Damon. Don’t get me wrong, I like Damon, think he’s a terrific ballplayer (even still), he served his purpose quite well in 2011 and was a positive influence both on and for the franchise. But I’m not sure he was worth what he made last year in terms of actual production and he’s certainly not worth that much a year older. So, that said, he’s gone now so deal with it. This might give the whiners with no faith in the Rays organization a little lesson in “don’t whine about a decision if you don’t freaking understand all the data relevant to that decision.” To Johnny, thanks for the memories and happy trails. Don’t give up, the Yankees will sign you for $5M. Shoot, the batboy for the Yankees makes almost that much.
I doubt the source is accurate, teams say this and that, I say, not much of a source. Vlad made $3 mil with $5 deferred, a team may offer him $2 mil with $3 deferred with incentives. Toronto, Seattle, Baltimore, Texas, who knows who wants what. Rumours are often hogwash (like the one that had Jackson signing with St. Lou today).
Johnny Damon or Vlad Guerrero would be a nice fit to help out the Mariners in Seattle on a one or two year contract since either one would be excellent teaching the younger players on the team on helping the M’s to bring back the winning tradition when they were known as Refuse To Lose. It’s about time to get out in the bottom of the AL West Division and compete w/ both Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels as they both made some significant moves during the off-season.