Agent Scott Boras strongly hinted yesterday there are multiple teams who would like to have Johnny Damon atop their lineups.
“Usually, when there is a free agent like this, there are three to four teams who are seriously interested,” said Boras, who didn’t divulge the clubs.
Damon, 36, is seeking a multi-year deal and would like to remain a Yankee. By midnight tonight the Yankees must decide to offer Andy Pettitte, Hideki Matsui and Damon salary arbitration. Early last night they were leaning toward not offering.
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If they offer and the player accepts (he has until Monday at midnight), he is a signed player for one year, with a salary raise subject to a hearing if a number can’t be agreed on.
If the offer is made and not accepted and the player signs with another team, the Yankees would receive a compensation draft pick. If no offer is made and the player leaves, the Yankees don’t get compensated.
Should the Yankees not offer, they can continue to negotiate with the trio.
Since Matsui and Damon each made $13 million last year, the Yankees may not want to give them a chance to accept since they would make more than that in 2010 thanks to arbitration. Ditto Pettitte, who made $5.5 million in base salary last year and $16 million the previous two seasons.
If the Yankees have an interest in Matsui, it would be on a one-year deal; likely at half of what he earned this past season when he was the World Series MVP.
According to GM Brian Cashman, the Yankees will have a better understanding of how much money they have to spend this winter on free agents and mollifying Roy Halladay with a contract extension — think five years and $100 million — if they can swing a deal for Toronto’s stud right-hander whom the Blue Jays know won’t re-sign with them after next season.