Source: Rays talking to Johnny Damon
By Jerry Crasnick
ESPN.com
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The Tampa Bay Rays are in discussions with free agent Johnny Damon to fill
their vacant designated hitter spot and play some left field. But a source
familiar with the negotations said a report that Damon is close to agreement
on a deal with the club is "very premature."
Damon, Manny Ramirez and Vladimir Guerrero are among several prominent
veteran designated hitters still on the market. The Rays have been
open-minded in their search, according to sources, but have only a limited
amount of money to sign another bat.
The source said that while a Damon-Rays union "certainly could happen," the
two sides are not yet close to an agreement.
The 37-year-old Damon hit .271 with eight home runs and 51 RBIs with the
Detroit Tigers last season. He has 2,571 career hits in 16 seasons with
Kansas City, Oakland, Boston, New York and Detroit.
The Yankees and Los Angeles Angels are among the other clubs to have
expressed interest in Damon this offseason.
Yahoo! Sports reported that Damon and the Rays appear to be closing in on a
deal, although some work remains to be done in the talks.
Senior writer Jerry Crasnick covers Major League Baseball for ESPN.com.
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