Damon and the Yanks

[Lil_A-rod]

Do you think that Damon is good for the Yanks? Please take the poll and leave coments. Thanks!!!!!

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

To be honest, I don't know him very well.

I bet there will always be a person/player, that he can't get along with.

BTW, I think it is a very nice move to wear my nickname in your custom user title.

[Mattingly]

He bats very well, he can hit into the clutch, he can hit a HR into RF, he runs well, both on the basepaths and in the field.

Will his health remain over 4 years? If he can at least hit, he'll eventually be the DH.

His absence has put a big hole in both the Red Sox' lineup and outfield, so it can be seen as a double bonus. While not necessarily the finest CFer out there, which many would believe would be Andruw Jones, he was about the best available, and especially one that had thrived in the middle of the heated AL East race.

I'll hold off until I see for myself what he does from 2006-09, as the 2002-05 performance for which he was compensated quite handsomely, has already passed.

[sandlot]

Interesting that NY's first choice was apparently Juan Pierre, but the price was too high. As important as the rivalry is to fans, I wonder how large a factor that is -- or should be -- in making decisions on acquisitions.

[Sberl]

I think Damon it's a bet; during his red sox esperience he proved he's a very good centerfielder, able to hit, good runner and good defensively. But there's another important factor, the red sox atmosphere which is completely different from the yankees one and I think this could affect Damon 2006 season.

[Pinstripe Pride]

I think a lot of people feel good about it, but just like anything, only time will tell.

[Myankee4life]

Damon was a good pickup because it strengthen our team and weakened the Sox. He also brings one of the best leadoff bats in the league and has some pop. He can steal a base or two when needed and the combination of him and Jeter getting on base before A-rod is intriguing.

[ricky151]

the best available cf by far

he will cover more ground than bernie could being old an all the last couple of years. He will allow jeter to bat second, his natural position in the lineup. juan pierre has one of the worst arms in baseball, no thanks. Most of all its like taking a knife into the hearts of the redsox fans. Now the redsox will not even finish second in the al east nevermind a wild card birth

[Edgartohof]

juan pierre has one of the worst arms in baseball

Damon's ain't so hot either.

[yankees-chick]

personality-wise, i think he'll do ok. jeter won over A-Rod, i'm sure they can win over damon. thus far he has seemed very excited to be a part of the team.

as for his performance, i think he'll be an asset to the team, but he's not going to "make" the yankees. last year was a career best for him, and its unrealistic to expect that from him again. he'll do well and he'll be a good part of the team, but he's no arod/jeter/shef/etc.

[DoubleX]

as for his performance, i think he'll be an asset to the team, but he's not going to "make" the yankees. last year was a career best for him, and its unrealistic to expect that from him again. he'll do well and he'll be a good part of the team, but he's no arod/jeter/shef/etc.

I'd actually say that last year might only have been Damon's 4th best season. There isn't much difference between his top seasons, but he's had other seasons where his average was around .310, but he had more homeruns, more RBI, better OBP (and OPS) and more stolen bases.

[Blackout]

only person to say no is a Sox fan haha

[Mattingly]

only person to say no is a Sox fan haha

There haven't even been any Red Sox fans posting into this thread.

Anyway, the Red Sox had Marte at 3B, who was pretty much 2006-2007 ready, and the only people we had to trade was Cano, Wang or Small. Who else could we have traded? It seemed like the free agency market was our only choice.

Right now, I'll have to take my chances that Johnny will utilize the short front porch in RF, where Ruth, Gehrig, Yogi have taken advantage of, as he's finally playing in a park with a real LF.

If he doesn't try setting himself aside from the others, acknowledges respectfully the extremely Bernie whom he's replacing, can call off both Matsui and Sheffield, as the CFer is the "boss" for balls going down the gaps, then he should be fine. All he has to do is avoid injury and play a great game.

Like Randy Johnson, there's always the factor of what he will do in the last year of his contract. However, we'll have to get to that bridge when crossed. For now, I just hope for a great 2006 from him, and I'll cross my fingers at times, you can be sure.

[pesky6]

First of all, you're asking two questions in the same poll. If your answer is yes or no to both, then you're fine. Others might have a different opinion.

Everyone agrees that Damon was the best FA CF out there and I'm sure he'll fit in with all of the other overpriced players in that lineup (to think that Cano is the only starter to be making less than 10 mil is mind-boggling ). Likewise, Damon's presence in Boston will be missed for sure. He was a clubhouse leader and his on-field play is remarkable.

I think a better question would be, "Are the Yankees good for Damon?" To that, my answer would be NO. He's already cut his hair and beard to conform to that ridiculous standard and fit in with all of the other corporate executive-types in that clubhouse. He won't be revered the same way he was in Boston, not even close. His stature with the Sox was almost of mythic proportions--he wrote a book, he appeared in commercials, he was endearing to the media and the fans, and he was one of the heroes of 2004.

And with one mighty stroke of the pen, he became $12M richer and wiped out everything he worked for in Boston at the same time. Sure, he might have more money, but he'll never have the same noteriety in NY as he had in Boston. That'll all become crystal clear on May 1. If you think otherwise, I've got some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you.

Cheap.

(actually, not cheap--it's not like you guys aren't used to overpaying for stuff )

[KCGHOST]

Heck, when you are winning even rabid dogs can get along.