Damon and Detroit closing the gap
In a joint blurb by FOX Sports’ Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal, according to a “one major league source,” there is “now only a ‘small difference’ of opinion between the Tigers and Johnny Damon as to what the outfielder’s salary should be.” Damon is said to be contemplating two deals from Detroit, one a one-year offer worth slightly more than $7 million, as well as $14 million, two-year offer authorized last week by owner Mike Ilitch. As Jason Beck points out, though we are being told that the two parties – Detroit and Damon – are shortening the gap in their proposed numbers, Damon could continue to sit on his decision until the weekend, as full-squad workouts do not begin until the 23rd.
Morosi and Rosenthal speculate that the White Sox, who were mentioned as a surprise bidder for Damon just recently, might have actually surpassed the Atlanta Braves – who have not ramped up their efforts to land the left fielder – as Detroit’s main competition for the 36-year old veteran. However, this seems rather unlikely when viewed in relation to various other reports which have described Chicago’s interest in Damon as nothing more than due diligence.
Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images
