MLB betting has Johnny Damon going to the Detroit Tigers. Baseball betting had him reportedly signing a one-year deal with the Tigers that will pay him $8 million. Damon was looking for big money from the Yankees but didn’t get it and was nearly priced out of the free agent market entirely but Detroit bailed him out.
MLB betting stats had Damon hitting .286 with 24 home runs for the Yankees last season. He is expected to take the lead off spot in the Detroit order since Curtis Granderson is now with New York. Damon was making a lot of money with New York and he expected to get similar money on the free agent market. It didn’t happen as Damon and his agent Scott Boras overvalued Damon’s worth.
Detroit is sure happy to have Damon for this season. Pitcher Phil Coke was Damon’s teammate last year with the Yankees and he is now with Detroit. “He’s a great clubhouse guy, to start with,” Coke said. “He’s not afraid to say, ‘We messed up today; let’s go get them tomorrow.’ “He’s constantly positive. He’s always trying to help guys build themselves up mentally instead of beating people down.” Detroit’s best pitcher, Justin Verlander is also thrilled to have Damon. “I’m really excited to have him,” Verlander said. “I’ve seen him from the other side too many times over the last four years. I’m excited to have him on our side, because I know what he can do.”
Detroit’s outfielders are scheduled to have their first workout on Tuesday and Damon is expected to be with them. Damon is expected to hit first in the order as MLB betting had it and it could be that rookie Scott Sizemore gets a shot at the #2 spot in the order behind Damon. The question will be how Carlos Guillen fits into the lineup. Baseball betting has him slated to be in left field but that spot will now go to Damon.
MLB betting stats had Damon making $13 million in New York last year. He is taking a pretty good sized pay cut this season but it could have been worse. At least the Tigers had some money to give Damon a decent one-year deal. Now they will hope he can help them make a serious run this MLB betting season in the American League Central Division.