It's safe to say The Cheat nailed his headline from Feb. 11:
Report: White Sox Finally Planning Failed Bid For Above-Replacement-Level DH
Yes, Johnny Damon is going to be a Detroit Tiger.
I largely bit my tongue on the issue, because 1) it's never as bad for Scott Boras as it seems, and unless Damon had a visceral hatred of Detroit, the duo 2) wouldn't break down to take a lower offer by the White Sox.
How did it happen? Detroit ponied up $8 million, none deferred, meaning that Damon actually will earn more in 2010 from the Tigers than he would've had he signed the two-year, $14 million contract the Yankees allegedly offered. That's a victory, as is the no-trade clause. Damon preferred Chicago, and told the Tigers he'd sign Kenny Williams' $6 million final offer (with deferred money) if they didn't create a bigger disparity.
Williams called the spat with Frank Thomas back in 2006 a clash between two strong-willed men. This is a similar deal. Neither side blinked, but Boras came out a winner because Detroit did. Damn third parties.
What else do we know? That A.J. Pierzynski is as good of a closer as Scott Linebrink.
At least I can proceed with finishing the book this weekend. The Johnny Damon section will remain in the "discarded" pile with Cole Armstrong's 40-man roster preview.
