[bigben]

Damon's move to New York adds chapter to rivalry NEW YORK — Johnny Damon gives the Yankees their first big-time leadoff hitter since Chuck Knoblauch was at the top of the order a half-decade ago — an era when New York won three straight World Series titles and four consecutive AL pennants.
Damon's decision to bolt the archrival Red Sox and accept a $52 million, four-year contract from the Yankees on Tuesday night also provides New York with a center fielder who covers a large amount of ground.
Details of the deal were still being negotiated and Damon must pass a physical, a baseball official said on condition of anonymity because negotiations were not yet final. The physical could take place Thursday, allowing the deal to be completed this week.
Moving from Fenway Park to Yankee Stadium will mean a change of style and scenery for the long-haired, bearded Damon — a fan favorite in Boston for his scrappy play and scruffy look. A razor is in his future because the Yankees ban beards and long hair.
"Sad to say bye to some of the greatest fans in the world. Unfortunately they had to see this day, but it's time for me to move forward," Damon told WBZ television in Boston. "They were coming after me aggressively. We know George Steinbrenner's reputation.
"He always wants to have the best players, and I think he showed that tonight. He and Brian Cashman came after me hard," he said, referring to New York's general manager.
"Sad to say bye to some of the greatest fans in the world. Unfortunately they had to see this day, but it's time for me to move forward," Damon told WBZ television in Boston. "They were coming after me aggressively. We know George Steinbrenner's reputation. (Related commentary: O'Connor — Damon move guarantees Yanks nothing)
Damon will hit at the top of a potent lineup that includes Derek Jeter, Gary Sheffield, AL MVP Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui and Jason Giambi. The bottom of the order has Jorge Posada, Robinson Cano and the designated hitter (or the first baseman spelling Giambi).
Bernie Williams' defense declined significantly over the past four seasons, although he is expected to remain with the Yankees as a reserve in a deal where only the performance bonuses remain to be negotiated. And while Damon's arm is not much better, the two-time All-Star will get to a lot more balls in the gaps.
Agent Scott Boras had been seeking a seven-year contract for Damon. The offer Damon accepted was the same as the deal Matsui agreed to with the Yankees last month — $13 million annually.
Damon said the Red Sox did not attempt to match New York's offer.
"A good leadoff hitter is tough to find, and I think that New York just found the best leadoff hitter in the game," he told WBZ.
Damon is the first star player to switch sides in the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry over the past few years, although role players such as John Olerud, Alan Embree, Ramiro Mendoza and Mike Myers have done it.
"We were notified at 11:55 tonight that Damon had accepted an offer from the Yankees," Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
New York, baseball's first team with a $200 million payroll last season, had a relatively quiet offseason until now. The Yankees, eliminated by the Los Angeles Angels in the first round of the AL playoffs, were overshadowed by the splashy Mets, who acquired slugging first baseman Carlos Delgado from the Florida Marlins and signed free-agent closer Billy Wagner to a $43 million, four-year contract.
Damon, who turned 32 last month, led Boston with a .316 batting average. He had 197 hits and scored 117 runs.
He spent his first five full seasons in Kansas City before one year in Oakland and the last four with the Red Sox.
When Myers finalized his contract with the Yankees last week, he gushed about the prospect of having Damon in New York's lineup.

By Gail Burton, AP
Johnny Damon will take his home run stroke and, for now, long hair to New York.

"I would put the over/under on Damon scoring 125, and I'd take the over any day of the week," Myers said. "I think the fans would absolutely love him there, just his hustle and his passion for the game, the way he goes about his business. I think he'd fit in great in the clubhouse, even though I don't know what the clubhouse is."
Earlier in the day, the Yankees reached a preliminary agreement on a $2 million, one-year contract with reliever Octavio Dotel, who is recovering from elbow surgery.
"I feel very happy with this contract," Dotel said. "This team has a lot of tradition, and it pleases me to know that they want me to pitch for them."
Dotel would get a $250,000 bonus if added to the 25-man active roster and could earn $3 million more in performance bonuses based on games. His deal contains an additional $2.5 million in bonuses based on games finished, in case he is traded to another team.
He had 36 saves for Houston and Oakland in 2004 but struggled last season with Oakland, going 1-2 with seven saves and a 3.52 ERA before he went on the disabled list May 20. From April 30 to May 11, he blew four saves in five outings.
Dotel had reconstructive elbow surgery June 6 to repair a torn ligament. He hopes to be pitching by midseason.
"What I do know is that it's going to help me to go back to what I like and that is to be a closer," he said.
With the Yankees, Dotel joins several newcomers in the bullpen: right-hander Kyle Farnsworth and left-handers Ron Villone and Myers. New York has struggled to find middle-inning pitchers in recent years, and setup man Tom Gordon left to become the Philadelphia Phillies' closer.
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[bigben]

Well it happened once again management (sox) twiddle and fiddle
while they let this guy get away Damon. im big time red sox fan
and larry the asshole lucchino blew this one sky high.

[dananderson32]

NY BABY!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO .................

[naught33]

its a horrible signing by the yankees, not what they need..their offense is fine, its their defense and pitching...damon has no arm which is something the yanks needed to address in cf and their pitching is still horrible...all the better for my blue jays who have been the most active team this offseason in the al least

[Tommy]

I say good pickup by the Yanks. It will be interesting to see if he will be missed in Boston this season. NY and Boston are still the teams to beat.

[bigben]

are u kidding me here missed in boston
this guy had his own cult here in boston
yes he will be missed and it will be dearly toooo.
thank u larry lucchino Biggest buffoon around

[Tommy]

I meant by Bostons performance on the field Ben. Damon went where the money was. I wonder if Epstein would of let him go. I guess everything still has a price tag though.