I was critical of the Tigers when they signed Johnny Damon before the start of the 2010 season. Earlier that off season, they had unloaded Curtis Granderson and Placido Polanco to save money. Then, at the last minute, here comes Johnny Damon for a year and $8 million, seemingly because his boot-licking about loving Greektown and Steve Yzerman worked, and because, from what I was told, owner Mike Ilitch has always admired Damon as a player and simply wanted him on his team.
Circumstances are completely different now. Damon is in his late 30s and his skills have eroded typically, but he still remains a reasonably productive player. He is a free agent late in January and subsequently his price tag is going to be reduced.
The Tigers just had a probable season-ending injury to their premier DH, Victor Martinez. They aren't going to replace him with a clone of VMart. They just don't exist. They must mix and match around the injury. The other options, which are along the lines of trading top prospects for Houston slugger Carlos Lee, aren't particularly viable. The Tigers need to hold their prospect chips until after the season starts, and react to the developments from there.
Damon is used to DH now. It was his full-time position last season. He hit second mostly for Tampa Bay, but did get 166 at bats in the leadoff spot and had a .343 on-base percentage and a .294 batting average. If Austin Jackson doesn't improve, he gives the Tigers another option there. He also displayed some power last season.
It doesn't solve the Tigers the "who will hit behind Miggy" question, but what player is? Signing Damon would augment the Tigers' lineup relatively inexpensively with a veteran player who has played consistently with winning teams, and generally done well in pressure situations.
There are other options. Juan Pierre sounds good in theory, until it is noted how he doesn't have any power, was thrown out 17 times last season attempting to steal in 44 attempts and had just a .328 on-base percentage as a lead off hitter. He would an upgrade from Delmon Young defensively in left field.
Raul Ibanez is actually older than Damon, and tools seem to have eroded more.
My video chat today. We talk about Joe Paterno's passing, Tigers, Red Wings, Super Bowl matchup and Mark Dantonio situation at high school football meetings in Kalamazoo: