Thursday, December 04, 2003
DAMON AND NIXON TO NEW YORK?
Newsday is a rumor generating machine – the class gossip queen. This time it directly involves the Sox. The Mets are interested in Trot Nixon and Rock Star, Johnny Damon, which is not a surprise. The Mets outfield is below average and terrible in center. But it would be a very big surprise for Nixon to be dealt. He is as close (can’t hit LHP and not making the minimum) to the prototypical type of Sox player management wants on the club. Nixon is a patient, power hitter that plays good defense, gets nice P.R. and appears to be a positive clubhouse presence. Damon is a different story at the plate and on the books – two very important factors.
Damon is a slap hitter with average power that is due to make $8 and $8.5 million in 2004 and 2005, respectfully. Damon is a valuable asset with the glove, but has a weak arm. He is also good on the bases, although it is a skill that is not highly appreciated by the Sox relative to other clubs. For the Sox, Damon appears to be really overpaid. Other clubs that have money to spend, do not value OBP as much as the Sox, think this is the NFL “where speed kills” and have a desperate need in center find Damon attractive. It looks like just the Mets (okay, maybe Anaheim if they are intent on moving Erstad to first).
It is a no brainer if the Sox are not in contention. (Heilman, Huber would be nice and thinking about Kazmir does weird things to parts of my body.) Fortunately, they are very close. Thus, the Sox would need to acquire an adequate replacement – paging Mike Cameron, please report to Fenway Park immediately. Of course, the issue is signing Cameron to a REASONABLE contract. Unless Huber or Kazmir are part of the deal, Damon should stay in Beantown for 2004. The State of the Sox Address will go into more detail.
Newsday is a rumor generating machine – the class gossip queen. This time it directly involves the Sox. The Mets are interested in Trot Nixon and Rock Star, Johnny Damon, which is not a surprise. The Mets outfield is below average and terrible in center. But it would be a very big surprise for Nixon to be dealt. He is as close (can’t hit LHP and not making the minimum) to the prototypical type of Sox player management wants on the club. Nixon is a patient, power hitter that plays good defense, gets nice P.R. and appears to be a positive clubhouse presence. Damon is a different story at the plate and on the books – two very important factors.
Damon is a slap hitter with average power that is due to make $8 and $8.5 million in 2004 and 2005, respectfully. Damon is a valuable asset with the glove, but has a weak arm. He is also good on the bases, although it is a skill that is not highly appreciated by the Sox relative to other clubs. For the Sox, Damon appears to be really overpaid. Other clubs that have money to spend, do not value OBP as much as the Sox, think this is the NFL “where speed kills” and have a desperate need in center find Damon attractive. It looks like just the Mets (okay, maybe Anaheim if they are intent on moving Erstad to first).
It is a no brainer if the Sox are not in contention. (Heilman, Huber would be nice and thinking about Kazmir does weird things to parts of my body.) Fortunately, they are very close. Thus, the Sox would need to acquire an adequate replacement – paging Mike Cameron, please report to Fenway Park immediately. Of course, the issue is signing Cameron to a REASONABLE contract. Unless Huber or Kazmir are part of the deal, Damon should stay in Beantown for 2004. The State of the Sox Address will go into more detail.
0 Old Comments:
Thank you - Red Sox!
This site is not associated with the Boston Red Sox, Major League Baseball nor Major League Players Assoication
© 2003-2010 Thomas J. Fratamico, III
All Rights Reserved
