Johnny Damon wants to remain a Detroit Tiger, but would accept a trade to the Boston Red Sox if it would help the team out in the future.
MLive’s Steve Kornacki and MLB.com beat writer Jason Beck both shared Damon’s thoughts about a possible return to the Sox.
“It’s a tougher decision than when I left Boston for New York,” said Damon. “At the moment, I am not sure I want to leave Detroit for that.”
“The only reason I am considering it is to help this team out in the future,” said Damon, who has expressed a desire to play 2011 in Detroit. “If they could get a prospect back that helps…But I’d like to remain a Tiger.”
Damon can block a trade to Boston because the Red Sox are among 21 teams on his no-trade list. But the motive to decline a trade to Beantown appears to be less about his commitment to the Tigers, and much more to do with his rocky departure from Boston back in 2005:
“I had a great time playing there,” Damon said. “But I think once it was apparent that I wasn’t a necessity to re-sign there, it started to get ugly. And that’s why I’ve got to think long and hard. I have to think if they do have a strong chance to make the playoffs with the guys beat up there. I have to think long and hard if I’m going to once again be probably one of the nicest guys in baseball, but be once again the most hated guy in baseball. That’s what it boils down. You guys see how I get booed in every ballpark already.”
Damon has until 1 p.m. on Wednesday to decide his fate because the Tigers play the Royals that day. If he refuses a trade, the Tigers will be forced to pull him off waivers and he won’t be able to be traded again.