MLB

DAMON IS ON TRACK TO COME BACK

ORLANDO – Over breakfast with Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi yesterday, Johnny Damon learned he is the Yankees left fielder and leadoff man, and that will only change, Damon said, if “someone blows their pants off with an amazing offer.”

As a way of creating fraternity with his new manager, Cashman reached out to both Damon and Kyle Farnsworth to see if they wanted to take advantage of being in such close proximity to the GM meetings and meet face-to-face with Girardi. Farnsworth was out of town. But Damon took the 12-minute drive in his sports car and was told to pretty much ignore the trade rumors.

“They realize how important I am to the team,” Damon said.

Damon’s relevance increased for two reasons: 1) He was not in good shape to begin the year and started woefully. But over his final 57 games, Damon was in better condition and hit .318 with seven homers, 35 RBIs, 44 runs and 11 steals. He also played a high-caliber left field. And Damon indicated yesterday he would be able to work out in full this offseason and arrive to spring in top shape.

2) With Alex Rodriguez almost certainly gone, the Yanks are anticipating having to play a game built more around manufacturing runs and being sharp defensively. Damon is ideal under those circumstances.

“I don’t expect to move Johnny,” Cashman said. “You don’t rule anything out. But I think Johnny is an important part of our club. I would love to see him in left field for us and leading off. He is an offensive force. I see him playing left field for us on Opening Day next year.”

Damon’s name had been linked in trade talks for the White Sox’s Joe Crede. Yankees officials do not appear enamored with Crede as a replacement for Rodriguez. They certainly do not see how a player coming off back surgery, who is one year from free agency and has a career deficiency in getting on base is anywhere near equal value for Damon.

Damon’s stock has definitely risen. There were times last year that it appeared it was Damon who wanted out of New York. He hardly seemed thrilled that the Yanks discussed his physical condition – or lack thereof – in spring or that he lost his center field job to Melky Cabrera.

“I signed with the Yankees for a reason. I wanted to get to the postseason every year,” Damon said yesterday. “I am (home) six more weeks of the year (because of Tampa’s proximity in spring training). It is awesome.”

Damon also had been seen as an advocate of Joe Torre. But after discussing the future with his new manager, Damon said of Girardi: “I always liked him. I liked him as a player. I liked what he did with the Marlins (as manager in 2006). He’s an awesome guy.”