Like a jilted lover, Johnny Damon still hungers for his ex.
The free-agent outfielder said yesterday that regardless of where he ends up playing this season, he still will have the Yankees on his mind.
“I’m not ruling out New York, 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,” Damon said on WFAN. “I love New York.”
Damon said he turned down a two-year offer worth $14 million from the Yankees earlier this offseason, money he likely is not to see as his job search continues. The Yankees agreed to terms with veteran outfielder Randy Winn on Wednesday.
SI.com reported Damon turned down a one-year offer from the Yankees worth $6 million — of which half would be deferred with no interest — as recently as last week.
Winn will receive what the Yankees are calling the last $2 million remaining in their 2010 budget, leaving Damon perhaps only to hope that Hal Steinbrenner intercedes and expands the team’s payroll to make room for him.
“We’re always open to New York,” Damon said. “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.”
The Giants, Braves and Athletics have shown some level of interest in Damon this offseason, but none have come close to signing him. The latest potential suitor to emerge is the Blue Jays, who reportedly have interest in Damon and Carlos Delgado. There also is some thought Damon could be a fit at designated hitter for the Rays — he lives in the Orlando, Fla., area — but that would likely require Tampa Bay finding a team willing to take much of Pat Burrell’s $9 million salary.
Damon’s agent, Scott Boras, also is trying to engage the Reds and Tigers in discussions.
The Yankees cut ties with Hideki Matsui earlier in the offseason. The free-agent DH signed with the Angels, and the Yankees countered by adding Nick Johnson. The Bombers also traded for Curtis Granderson and Javier Vazquez, accounting for a substantial portion of their offseason budget.
“The thing is, I think both sides understand the situation,” Damon told the radio station. “We understand how free agency is: They’re trying to get younger — they got a year younger with Randy Winn [who is 35] — that’s part of the game.”
Damon indicated he had multiple discussions with Cashman throughout the process. That included as recently as last week, when Damon tried in a last-ditch effort to get what he wanted from the Yankees.
“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.”