The Tribe has reportedly agreed to bring veteran outfielder Johnny Damon to Cleveland for the 2012 season. Damon, 38 years old, is coming off a season where he batted .261 and drove in 73 runs for the Tampa Bay Rays, including 16 homers. The deal has a base pay of $1.25 million and an additional $1.4 million in performance based incentives. Also included is an opt-out for Damon if and when a healthy Grady Sizemore returns to take the role Damon is filling.
Damon is approaching 3,000 hits, and a moderately successful 2012 and 2013 season should ensure him this mark, making him a potential Hall of Fame candidate. Damon reached a career high in batting average in 2000 with Kansas City posting a mark of .327. Johnny also belted a career high in homers in 2006 ans 2009 as a member of the New York Yankees with 24 dingers each season. He is a former world champion and surely still has some juice left in the tank.
All in all, this is a win win situation for the Tribe. Damon is an obvious offensive step up from outfielder Aaron Cunningham, and a proven clubhouse leader. He is exactly the kind of player the Indians need to make a playoff run and to give the fans something to cheer about. Perhaps his addition will produce more than a few thousand fans in attendance for upcoming home games. Even if Damon ends up being a bust, which seems unlikely, the Indians are risking next to nothing.
This move further shows that management wants to win now. Damon's numbers from last season would have made him the 3rd most productive hitter on the roster in terms of RBIs and batting average, including being 2nd in total hits. In the words of Damon, "Like I said, I've kept myself in pretty good shape, and I'm just
excited that Cleveland is giving me this opportunity to see what I can
do and also go help out a young team and provide some leadership to
them."
Let's improve on this 1-4 start with a solid series against Kansas City. Roll Tribe.
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