Damon chooses the dark side...

That's right Red Sox Nation, he's gone and there's no turning back. On the surface it seems like the Sox let this one slip thru their fingers. This is different than Pedro last year (who is actually injured right now). Hopefully they know something we don't. Time will tell...


Sox had offered a reported 4yr deal @ $10M per, while the Yanks landed him for 4yrs @ $13M. Wouldn't you think the Sox would have been willing to spend the extra money? The biggest concern was thought to be the length of the contract. Just don't get this one. Was the extra $3M really a deal breaker? Let's hope the Yankees get the Dunkin Donuts version of Johnny...

We really thought he would prefer to stay in Boston. Now it's Johnny turned traitor (or Jesus to Judas?). It was all about the money. Don't believe the BS about who was more aggressive going after him. Bottom line is the dollar sign. Do you think he believes they are closer to a World Series than the Sox? It's not like choosing between Pittsburgh and St. Louis.

Yanks lineup just got better. The question is will it be better over the next 4 years. Probably. That puts Damon at 36. The downside for the Yanks is how often he will play hurt now that he is not playing for a contract. He was beat up most of last season and the body can only take so much wear & tear. Odds are he'll be fine and they can always afford the mistake, a la Bernie...

Don't worry too much. Yanks will probably outscore the majors in runs, but that isn't what wins in Oct. Just ask the Sox who have done so the last 3 seasons. It's about pitching, pitching, and more pitching.

Let's just hope the Sox use that savings to acquire more pitching. Kevin Millwood has been rumored to have an east coast suitor. If not the Sox before, odds are they are in it now. They would make room by dealing Clement, Arroyo, or Wells (he had better #'s than all 3 last season). They could also be saving up for an expensive Clemens return (who wouldn't pass on Damon for Clemens?)

What about CF? The Jeremy Reed trade now looks like one of their better if not only options. With all the trade buzz about a plan B before today, you'd have to think the Sox thought they couldn't re-sign Damon. This also opens up the door for a Manny to Mets trade again. They are offering Beltran and a highly touted OF prospect - which would solve CF & LF. This could gain steam in the next few days...

Torii Hunter - .269, 14HR, 56RBI, Gold Glove (for newly acquired 3B Marte?), Preston Wilson - .260, 25HR, 90RBI (free agent @ $12.5M last yr), & Juan Encarnacion - .276, 16HR, 76RBI (free agent @ $4.4M) will be names to surface in the coming days...

Shortstop? With Graffanino accepting arbitration, there's a logjam at 2B with Loretta & Pedroia. All 3 have played short, included highly touted prospect Pedroia who switched to 2B last year. The answer may be a combination at SS & 2B until the trade deadline...