And this from the Detroit News....... Note: Bolding mine.
Dombrowski: Tigers 'not close' to signing Johnny Damon
TOM GAGE
The Detroit News
Detroit -- Not so fast.
He'd like to come here, but the Tigers say they are not on the verge of signing free agent Johnny Damon.
In response to questions about Damon, general manager Dave Dombrowski has said twice in the last two days, including to The Detroit News on Tuesday morning, "We're not close to making any kind of deals at this point."
That means signings. That also means trades.
It's also true that Damon's agent, Scott Boras, and Dombrowski have not yet discussed the 36-year-old outfielder's interest in the Tigers.
Therefore, it remains unclear what kind of contract Damon would want if he came to Detroit -- but this could be an indication: Speaking last Friday on WFAN in New York, Damon was asked if he believes two years at $11 million each is a contract still be available to him outside of New York. Damon replied, "I think, if creativity is involved."
Keep in mind that Damon, who would become the oldest Tiger if he signs with Detroit, made $13 million each of the last four years with the Yankees and hasn't made less than $7 million in a season since 2000, his last year at Kansas City.
Damon clearly doesn't need to be in double-digit millions per year. He's made more than $97 million as a major-leaguer. But with his level of play still high, neither is he looking to become a team's one-year bargain.
The case between him and the Tigers isn't closed, though.
"In our situation," Dombrowski said, "you keep an open mind."
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