Johnny Damon Rumors: Orioles Haven’t Ruled Out Damon

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweeted yesterday that the Baltimore Orioles haven’t ruled out adding veteran free agent Johnny Damon.  The Orioles have been one of the few teams to be tied to Damon this offseason.  Last week, Damon’s agent, Scott Boras, told Tim Dierkes of MLBTR.com that his client is waiting on the “right team” to make him an offer.

As it appeared then, it seems that the first team to make Damon and offer could be the right team.  That being said, Damon doesn’t seem to be a fit in Baltimore, nor to do the Orioles seem to be a fit for Damon.

First of all, Damon fits the mold of aging slugger approaching the end of his career.  This type of player doesn’t generally look to join a team which hasn’t had a winning season in forever and whose outlook for 2012 isn’t much brighter.  If Damon is desperate enough to play at whatever cost, the Orioles could become an option, but it would make more sense for Damon to look to latch on with a contender like he did in Tampa last season.

And then there’s the Orioles.  There is no clear-cut fit for Damon in Baltimore.

The club has already signed a designated hitter-type player this offseason in Wilson Betemit.  They also have Nolan Reimold, who is no longer young but has also never really gotten a shot to show what he can do in left field.  Does it make sense to move Betemit to third to facilitate Damon being your DH?  Then what do you do with Mark Reynolds?  Move him to first you say?  Then what do you do with Chris Davis?  Who cares you say?

With these questions, it doesn’t make sense for a team in the O’s position to go out and bring in a player that isn’t likely to contribute much in 2012 or beyond and will only take playing time away from other younger players.

Why not just give Reynolds, Davis and Reimold a shot to show what they can or cannot do?  What is there to lose, another 90 games?

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