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Source: Johnny Damon close to signing with Indians.

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Some of you guys sure have some high (and likely unrealistic) hopes for a dude who just got off the couch.

It might be June by the time he gets in shape and finds himself in any sort of swing groove.

When is the last time a washed up player skipped spring training and then did anything remotely notable?
 
He said he has kept in baseball shape.
 
still at least 2.5 weeks away in the minors getting his timing down.
 
A rusty Johnny Damon is still better than Aaron Cunningham.

By the way, Damon isn't washed up. He obviously isn't in his prime anymore, but he can still hit and can help this team.
 
LINK

Host/Jim Bowden: “How excited are you and how many swings do you have to get in before you are ready to start for the Indians?”

Johnny Damon: “Well, you know, I had a conversation with them today. I told them I’ve been staying in great shape, been running, been throwing, been hitting, been playing soccer. So I told them I feel like I could be ready in a couple of days. But I understand the grind of standing between innings and all that stuff so I think I’m going to go out and work out for a week and hopefully that’s enough. Like I said I’ve kept myself in pretty good shape and I’m just excited that Cleveland is giving me this opportunity to see what I can do and also go help out a young team and provide some leadership to them.”

Host/Casey Stern: “Talk about the opportunity to play left and to show some people you’ve still got plenty left in those legs there.”

Damon: “Well, absolutely, I mean, that’s what Cleveland has offered me and I need to go out there and show people I can still play there. Right now Shelley Duncan is the starting left fielder. I know they are going to rotate me in and give him a breather but, you know, I also understand this game, too. If Shelley Duncan is on fire at the plate he’s going to play and if I am they are going to find a place for me. So I’m going to go there and re-join a few former teammates – Shelley Duncan, Derek Lowe, Casey Kotchman – and go and try to have as much fun as we can and try to win some ballgames.”

Bowden: “You said from the beginning that this was never about money. You just wanted the right opportunity and the chance. Can you tell us what the deal actually was, dollar-wise?”

Damon: “Well, you know, I’m going to let Cleveland announce that. Scott [Boras] does what he does and I pretty much stayed out of it. But they are giving me an opportunity to fill in for [Grady] Sizemore. And obviously when Sizemore does come back there’s roster moves that have to happen and I’m going to do everything I can to play great and hopefully, when Sizemore comes back, there’s still a spot for me, still some playing time for me. I know what Cleveland really wanted. They wanted somebody with a winning mentality and someone who has been there and done that and obviously I’ve been around for a long time.”
 
sgm405 said:
LINK

Host/Jim Bowden: “How excited are you and how many swings do you have to get in before you are ready to start for the Indians?”

Johnny Damon: “Well, you know, I had a conversation with them today. I told them I’ve been staying in great shape, been running, been throwing, been hitting, been playing soccer. So I told them I feel like I could be ready in a couple of days. But I understand the grind of standing between innings and all that stuff so I think I’m going to go out and work out for a week and hopefully that’s enough. Like I said I’ve kept myself in pretty good shape and I’m just excited that Cleveland is giving me this opportunity to see what I can do and also go help out a young team and provide some leadership to them.”

Host/Casey Stern: “Talk about the opportunity to play left and to show some people you’ve still got plenty left in those legs there.”

Damon: “Well, absolutely, I mean, that’s what Cleveland has offered me and I need to go out there and show people I can still play there. Right now Shelley Duncan is the starting left fielder. I know they are going to rotate me in and give him a breather but, you know, I also understand this game, too. If Shelley Duncan is on fire at the plate he’s going to play and if I am they are going to find a place for me. So I’m going to go there and re-join a few former teammates – Shelley Duncan, Derek Lowe, Casey Kotchman – and go and try to have as much fun as we can and try to win some ballgames.”

Bowden: “You said from the beginning that this was never about money. You just wanted the right opportunity and the chance. Can you tell us what the deal actually was, dollar-wise?”

Damon: “Well, you know, I’m going to let Cleveland announce that. Scott [Boras] does what he does and I pretty much stayed out of it. But they are giving me an opportunity to fill in for [Grady] Sizemore. And obviously when Sizemore does come back there’s roster moves that have to happen and I’m going to do everything I can to play great and hopefully, when Sizemore comes back, there’s still a spot for me, still some playing time for me. I know what Cleveland really wanted. They wanted somebody with a winning mentality and someone who has been there and done that and obviously I’ve been around for a long time.”
Click to expand...

Love his attitude.

I know it's tough to tell with all athletes nowadays, but he seems genuinely excited & grateful that he's getting this opportunity.
 
An old washed up vet? THIS IS SO MAJOR LEAGUE !!!
 
JIM BOWDEN ‏ @JimBowdenESPNxm

Damon told he's the every day left fielder
Click to expand...
Probably will see Duncan playing more first base against lefties, and spell Hafner at DH against lefties sometimes.
 
I will be in Louisville this Saturday and plan on going to a Bats vs Clippers game. Any chance he will be with the Clippers by Saturday?
 
If Kotchman keeps blowing at the plate, move Duncan to first and give Damon regular time out in Left and at the DH spot when Hafner needs a day off.

I like this. A ton.
 
SRStark20 said:
If Kotchman keeps blowing at the plate, move Duncan to first and give Damon regular time out in Left and at the DH spot when Hafner needs a day off.

I like this. A ton.
Click to expand...

It certainly gives them some flexibility with the lineup. The best thing he may add is clubhouse presence - you can tell guys like Kipnis and Brantley are pressing...Damon's known for loosening things up and providing leadership. He could definitely be the 2012 "Trot".
 
I really do not understand the haste to ship Kotchman to the bench. He is the best defensive 1st basemen we have had in years! Fucking hell guys!
 
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