Indians To Sign Ex-Tiger Johnny Damon

Hot off the presses, or should I say the internet cable, word on MLB Trade Rumors street, via Ken Rosenthal, the Cleveland Indians are about to sign Johnny Damon. It’s a little bit surprising that he lasted as long as he did, considering he had a solid season with the Tampa Bay Rays last season. Damon carried an OPS of .743 last season while homering 16 times and stealing 19 bases. He should provide a decent left handed bat for a team that needs it, and has been using Shelley Duncan, after having to send down to the minors the unimpressive Matt LaPorta.

This is a move that is likely to help a somewhat struggling Cleveland offense, but unlikely to impact the division or playoff race in any real way. For that to happen, Ubaldo Jimenez is going to have to discover the magic he had from a few years ago, Derek Lowe will have to not suck, and Shin-Soo Choo will have to play like he is capable of. It seems like a mismatched bunch of players with too little pitching.

For a team that is struggling right now though, why not? I don’t think Damon is going to make a huge difference either way, unless he discovered that fountain of youth while down in Tampa last year.