By Mark Gonzales
The White Sox haven't been ruled out of the Johnny Damon sweepstakes, which says a lot considering the red flag that the organization usually raises with players represented by super agent Scott Boras.
Well before the recent Damon negotiations took place, the Sox already signed outfielder Andruw Jones to a one-year, $500,000 contract. General manager Ken Williams is certainly picking his spots when it comes to Boras clients. And Jones certainly won't go broke, since he is still owed more than $10 million in deferred payments following his release from the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 2008 season.
Last June, the Sox drafted left-handed hitting outfielder Brian Goodwin of Rocky Mount High School in North Carolina in the 16th round of the amateur draft.
The White Sox haven't been ruled out of the Johnny Damon sweepstakes, which says a lot considering the red flag that the organization usually raises with players represented by super agent Scott Boras.
Well before the recent Damon negotiations took place, the Sox already signed outfielder Andruw Jones to a one-year, $500,000 contract. General manager Ken Williams is certainly picking his spots when it comes to Boras clients. And Jones certainly won't go broke, since he is still owed more than $10 million in deferred payments following his release from the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 2008 season.
Last June, the Sox drafted left-handed hitting outfielder Brian Goodwin of Rocky Mount High School in North Carolina in the 16th round of the amateur draft.
Boras served as Goodwin's family adviser. Although the Sox didn't sign Goodwin, who went on to attend the University of North Carolina, his selection shows a willingness by the Sox to not ignore certain players represented by Boras.
Although Damon doesn't hold the same value as he did when he signed a four-year, $52 million contract with the New York Yankees before the 2006 season, the Sox have enough selling points to stay in contention against American League Central rival Detroit for his services.
One point is a contending team with a deep pitching staff. Another consideration is that Damon would serve perfectly as a left-handed run producer who could balance the lineup. Finally, playing in Chicago could invigorate Damon in the same manner he relished playing in Boston and with the Yankees. Both teams won World Series with Damon.
According to Fox Sports, Damon played golf with Sox catcher and former Dr. Philllips High School teammate A.J. Pierzynski and announcer Hawk Harrelson on Tuesday in Florida, presumably to sell Damon on the finer points of playing for the Sox.
The Sox's current playroll might have room for slightly more than $4 million to allocate for Damon, well short of what Detroit has reportedly offered. But at least the Sox have moved this far without feeling their chain has been yanked, unlike their bitterness in the 1990s when Boras served as a family adviser to unsigned Sox draft picks Jeff Weaver, Bobby Seay and Bobby Hill.
Although Damon doesn't hold the same value as he did when he signed a four-year, $52 million contract with the New York Yankees before the 2006 season, the Sox have enough selling points to stay in contention against American League Central rival Detroit for his services.
One point is a contending team with a deep pitching staff. Another consideration is that Damon would serve perfectly as a left-handed run producer who could balance the lineup. Finally, playing in Chicago could invigorate Damon in the same manner he relished playing in Boston and with the Yankees. Both teams won World Series with Damon.
According to Fox Sports, Damon played golf with Sox catcher and former Dr. Philllips High School teammate A.J. Pierzynski and announcer Hawk Harrelson on Tuesday in Florida, presumably to sell Damon on the finer points of playing for the Sox.
The Sox's current playroll might have room for slightly more than $4 million to allocate for Damon, well short of what Detroit has reportedly offered. But at least the Sox have moved this far without feeling their chain has been yanked, unlike their bitterness in the 1990s when Boras served as a family adviser to unsigned Sox draft picks Jeff Weaver, Bobby Seay and Bobby Hill.
Get our updates on 
This seems a lot more simple than worring about finding enough playing time for Lones, Kotsay, and Vizuel. Cut Jones. Problem solved!
I certainly hope this is true (big kiss for Damon's wife!). I like our roster a lot more with Damon in the mix. The depth will cause Ozzie some grief in finding playing time for Pierre, Damon & Jones, but it sounds much better than hoping the 3 headed monster of Jones, Kotsay & Vizquel will produce at DH. Also would provide coverage if Rios does not produce (which is possible).