There was a vacancy sign placed above left field at Yankee Stadium yesterday, but Johnny Damon’s outlook on returning hasn’t changed any.
On the same day the Yankees sent Melky Cabrera to the Braves as part of a deal that added Javier Vazquez to the starting rotation, Damon told The Post he still doesn’t expect a Bronx encore.
“I know I don’t fit their payroll,” Damon said. “We’ve had a little bit of communication with them, but my price is too high right now. I don’t think I’m their solution.”
So who is the left fielder?
“Left field is an evolving situation, so I guess stay tuned,” GM Brian Cashman said.
In all likelihood, Cashman will look to add another piece, perhaps free-agent utilityman Mark DeRosa, who carries a smaller price tag than Damon.
Cashman reiterated yesterday that he is working within budget constraints and will finish with a payroll smaller than last season’s $207 million. He added that he won’t be looking to add a major player in the outfield.
As it stands, the Yankees have Nick Swisher, Curtis Granderson and Brett Gardner for three outfield spots. Of that group Gardner might be best suited for center field, but the Yankees seem intent on keeping Granderson in center, the position in which he’s most comfortable.
“We obviously have two center fielders on the club in Granderson and [Gardner],” Cashman said. “We traded for Curtis Granderson to be our center fielder and left field is an evolving situation.”
Cabrera had his best season in 2009, hitting .274 with 13 homers and 68 RBIs for the Yankees. But he also knew his days in pinstripes were numbered, according to a team source, once the Yankees acquired Granderson in a trade earlier this month.
“I’m going to miss it dearly,” Cabrera said through a spokesperson.