Results tagged ‘ Johnny Damon ’
Remember This Guy?: And, Quick Looks Backwards and Forwards
Apparently, this afternoon, the Yankees signed OF/1B/DH/borderline major league baseball player Marcus Thames to a minor league deal. Thames is a second-time Yankee, and we all remember him in pinstripes for one thing and one thing only; of course, that being the time he hit the first pitch he saw in the big leagues over the fence off this guy:
Thames will presumably serve as Spring Training competition to Jamie Hoffmann for the 5th outfielder/Gardner-Winn-caddy spot, and as minor league depth if he doesn’t make the team come April.
This, an extremely minor move with ten days left before Pitchers and Catchers report to Spring Training, seems to close the book on an offseason characterized by somewhat minor moves. Coming off a 2008-2009 offseason that featured three huge free-agent signings and a general overhaul of the team, the 2009-2010 offseason hasn’t quite generated the same splash. This is with good reason, of course; the 2008 Yankees were a third-place, 89-win team, whereas the 2009 Yankees won 103 games and, as we all know, their 27th World Series Title.
With that said, here’s a quick look at who’s notably come and gone since the end of last season:
The Hellos
Curtis Granderson
My favorite acquisition of the offseason. The Yanks traded Phil Coke, Ian Kennedy, and prospect Austin Jackson for the All-Star centerfielder. He runs well, he plays great defense, he hits for power, and he’s supposed to be one of the greatest guys ever. I’m fully prepared for him to become one of my favorites very quickly.
Javier Vazquez
A second-time Yankee, Vazquez’s first go-round, in 2004, ended on a well-documented sour note. Reacquired this offseason for Melky Cabrera, Mike Dunn, and Arodys Vizcaino, Vazquez is set to step into the fourth-starter slot, behind CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Andy Pettitte; with a solid rotation in front of him and a well-rounded team behind him, he seems to be primed for redemption in the eyes of Yankees fans.
Nick Johnson
Hey, you look familiar … yet another second-time Yankee (I sense a trend), Johnson was signed on a 1-year deal as a free agent. He will fill the DH spot and likely hit second, behind Jeter and in front of Teixeira and Rodriguez. We call him “OBP Jesus” — with a lifetime .402 on-base percentage, he could account for many RBI opportunities for the powerhouses hitting behind him.
Also acquired: Randy Winn (4th OF/LF split)
The Goodbyes
Hideki Matsui
Oh, Godzilla. The 2009 World Series MVP spent 7 years in New York, transitioning from the outfield to DH as his knees proves unsuited for field play. A proven clutch hitter and a steady presence in the clubhouse, I’m glad that the last memory we as fans have of him in pinstripes is that of his prolific World Series performance, where he batted .615 over 6 games and drove in 8 runs, 6 of which came in a historic Game 6. He signed with the Los Angeles Angels this offseason.
Johnny Damon
While it is not technically official that the former caveman will not be a Yankee next year, the trade for Granderson and the signing of Winn signal the end of Damon’s tenure beyond reasonable doubt. Our centerfielder-turned-leftfielder since 2006, Damon was a joy to watch, and few of us will ever forget his game changing double-steal in Game 4 of this past World Series.
Especially after the events of last postseason, it certainly hurts to let Damon and Matsui go — however, in my opinion, I think Cashman has done a great job this offseason keeping to budget and improving team speed, defense, and pitching. The quest for a repeat should be a lot of fun to watch.
Till next time,
Ana
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