Not so fast. Johnny Damon says he could be playing for the Yankees again, if not this season then maybe next year.
“I’m not ruling out not being in New York, whether it’s not this year, or whenever it is, whether I start the season with them, or whether they trade for me at the deadline, or if they sign me next year, or what not. I love New York,” Damon said this afternoon on WFAN.
It was thought the outfielder and the Yankees had parted for good when the team signed outfielder Randy Winn this week. After a he said-he said exchange between GM Brian Cashman and agent Scott Boras, Damon confirmed today that he turned down a two-year, $14 million offer from the team.
Still without a team for 2010, Damon said he’d be willing to listen if the Yankees come calling again.
“We’re always open to New York,” Damon told host Mike Francesa. “But I think right now we also have to be open to whatever offer comes out now. Because I know (the Yankees) have a full roster right now, (but) I never say never anymore.”
Cashman maintained the team had $2 million left to spend after adding Nick Johnson and Winn.
“The thing is, I think both sides understand the situation,” Damon said. “We understand how free agency is; they’re trying to get younger — they got a year younger with Randy Winn (36-35) — that’s part of the game.”
The Yankees also traded for Curtis Granderson this offseason, and have not ruled out that they would pursue Damon anymore.
“You never know,” Cashman told SI.com. “The Yankees like players who can help us win.”
Damon said multiple times he harbors no bitterness or hard feelings toward the Yankees, but he was not willing to take such a significant pay cut from the $13 million he was making annually. He said he was seeking two years at $11 million per year.
“I was on the phone with them quite a bit,” Damon said. “We talked, (but) right now with their budget, it just doesn’t .. it wasn’t going to happen.”
He said baseball’s luxury tax may have played a role in the offer, with the Yankees forced to pay extra with more money they gave Damon.
“I definitely thought there would be more talks monetarily-wise with the Yankees,” Damon said. “I mean, everybody knew it was a great fit; and so did Cashman; so did the Steinbrenners. That’s why this budget and the (luxury tax) will probably be discussed at the next (collective) bargaining session.”
Damon, who claims several teams are interested in him, said he was hopeful the Yankees don’t encounter the same problems with free-agent-to-be Derek Jeter next year.
“I hope (Derek) is not offered a 45 percent pay cut,” Damon said.