It looks like Scott Boras is working hard and he’s come out and said that Johnny Damon wants to talk to the Tigers.  I like how he plays up Damon’s numbers at Comerica Park.  Damon tied a career high last year with 24 home runs and he has an impressive .355 on base percentage so he’d be the lead off hitter the Tigers are looking for.  He’d also be a good fit because he only plays in about 140 games a season which would fit into the “Ryan Raburn moving around the outfield all season” scenario.

The big question would be what happens to Carlos Guillen.  I had him penciled in as more of a designated hitter anyway so this would play into that.  And you can’t argue with five seasons out of the last six with an OPS+ of over a 100.  If the price is right, I’d welcome Damon into the fold for sure. Just one quick note and that’s Damon’s declining defense.  If you use +/- from Bill James Online Damon had a -3 in left field last year, which ranked him 19th in baseball.  That’s down from a +4 and ninth best ranking in 2008.  Of course in left, defense is less important and it’s probably going to be as good if not better then the alternatives.

The Tigers have also bailed out Scott Boras in the past.  Like with Ivan Rodriguez and Magglio Ordonez.  I wonder how much weight that pulls when it comes time to talk to Boras about our draft picks.  I guess it can’t hurt.

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