Johnny Damon claimed by Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox have claimed Johnny Damon off waivers and Damon has until Wednesday to decide whether he wants to reunite with his former ball club. The Detroit Tigers placed the outfielder on waivers as the team continues to struggle and are well out of a playoff race. They may see no need in keeping Damon’s salary.
The 36-year-old was an instrumental part in the Red Sox first World Series win in 86 years in 2004. Damon was then a long-haired, bearded fan favourite and batted leadoff for the team. This season, Damon has a batting average of .270 with 7 home runs and 40 RBIs, a shell of what he once contributed to Boston.
Damon reportedly has no-trade protection from the Red Sox, along with other teams as part of his contract. It is unknown whether the Red Sox are actually interested in Damon or if they did this to prevent divisional rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays, from acquiring Damon. The Rays are in need of an outfielder, but the same could be said about the Red Sox.
Boston’s injury woes continue as they will be without outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury for the remainder of the season, and Mike Cameron just had season-ending surgery. The team has 48 hours to work out a trade with the Tigers if they are interested in Damon. The Tigers can also let him go for nothing or pull him back from waivers.
Damon played with the Red Sox from 2002-2005 before pulling an unforgivable act of betrayal to Red Sox fans as he went against his previous statements and signed with the hated New York Yankees. Damon then had to cut his hair and shave his beard as per Yankees club code says regarding long hair and facial hair. He has been booed ever since at Fenway Park. Damon is only due to make $1.8 million for the remainder of the season as part of the one-year $1.8 million contract he signed with the Tigers this offseason.
More will be known in the coming days as to what exactly the Red Sox interest in Damon really is and if a reunion at Fenway will happen.
Tags: