Some rumors get your attention: Dodgers reportedly interested in Johnny Damon

Johnny Damon? Really? For left field?

That would be 37-year-old Johnny Damon, no longer so fleet of foot and never much of a consistent power threat?

Hey, it’s a rumor. During the winter, there are hundreds of them, a decent percentage of which are either unfounded or with a thread to reality so thin it could snap by the turning of a general manager’s head.

This one comes courtesy of Foxsports.com's Ken Rosenthal, who like everyone else has swung and missed on a few of these, but is also very well connected.

And Rosenthal writes the Dodgers are not only interested in Damon, but 38-year-old catcher Jason Varitek. It’s a run on Red Sox.

Actually, he writes they are in contact with just about every breathing catcher still on the market, which, given the uncertain status of Russell Martin’s hip, is understandable and believable.

But Johnny Damon?

Damon’s stat line for the Detroit Tigers last season: .271 batting average, eight home runs, 51 RBIs, 11 stolen bases in 613 at-bats.

Are you getting all excited?

Also, he bats left-handed, same as Jay Gibbons. And at this stage of his career, he plays the outfield about as well. And he made $8 million last season, though is salary would clearly drop. And he was used last season mostly as a designated hitter.

If the Dodgers really wanted another old left-handed hitter, they could make another run at Scott Podsednik, who is almost three years younger and -- plantar fasciitis permitting -- still capable of 35 steals.

Available among old right-handed hitters available are Marcus Thames, Lance Berkman (switch-hitter), Pat Burrell (look, another Giant!) and Magglio Ordonez.

OK, it’s thin. But it’s right-handed thin.

Varitek will be 39 the first week of the season and started only 27 games at catcher last season for the Red Sox. The Dodgers reportedly are looking at him as a backup, but a backup to whom?

Rosenthal said the Dodgers have also been in contact with Rod Barajas (35), A.J. Pierzynski (34 next month) and Miguel Olivo (a kid at 32). If they signed Pierzynski, they could have two catchers named A.J.!

They remain in conversations with Martin, but have only until Thursday to either sign him, figure out whether they want to offer him arbitration or let him walk.

Martin, by the way, is only 27.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Comments

[derek]

typical McCourt, bringing in more east coast garbage.

[mike]

Dodger have done good so far this winter only two pieces left aj pierzyski an either adam dunn in left wich id prefer or a platoon of damon an gibbons if they do that this team is headed to world series hopeful2011 lineup
furcal if you sign damon he would hit 2 an kemp would cleanup
either
kemp
dunn
loney
pierzskiy
uribe
blake

[Chris Knerr]

I say go after Berkman, Scotty Pod, and flip Loney for a solid 3rd basemen, then you got all your positions covered (w/ a nice bench too) except catcher..... although I think Barajas will come to his senses and sign with his hometown team.

[Gefitz]

Man, I feel sorry for Russell Martin.

[Batman]

Somebody fire up the seachlight for Juan Pierre.

[jason]

Ned loves his little single hitters who OPS like 750 out in the OF. Plus someone will have to bat leadoff once Furcal goes on vacation

[bob cuomo]

Damon is a decent hitter (not much pop, though), he can still run and he's a pretty good fielder. He doesn't have much of an arm (he never did), but a strong arm isn't that important for a left fielder. I don't think Gibbons is an everyday type of guy, so Damon, even though he's 37, might be a good signing. Heck, somebody has to be able to start at least 120 games.

[Labeldude]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

[OldBrooklynFan]

The catchers all look like they can be used in some way. One of them may become a Dodger. But I'm surprised they're looking at Damon who seems to be slipping very fast offensively. Not a good report card on his recent fielding either.

[Dodger Tony]

There is something to be said for GM's who acquire players from within their league. One thing about Colletti, he consistently brings players in from the AL who do not know the NL. I think this is a dangerous and slippery slope, one that I am not crazy about, no matter how old and creaky the veterans are.

[HI Dodger Fan]

this has got to be rosenthal trying to make news out of nothing. for all the reasons you stated, why in the world would we be interested in this guy? he's old, slow and probably has a worse arm than pierre. really, this is ridiculous. and forget the varitek rumors, that's nuts. i think rosenthal floated this last year too. like he is trying to create a market for guys he likes or something. maybe that's it.

[Brian]

Sign Paul Konerko to play 1st Base Ned! Use Loney and some prospects for a trade for either Justin Upton or Ryan Braun. Seriously both those teams are looking to trade those players.

[Steve]

These might be good ideas if it was 2004...

[16blows]

Juan Pierre, 2010 MLB stolen base Champion, is grinning from ear to ear. 7x the dudgers tried replace JP in LF 2010... x7 guys they failed; comes now 2011, and the mission continues.

Pierre's the name - JUAN PIERRE.

[booch]

i really don't understand why ned wants to bring in a bunch of old american league players.
here's an idea, bring back garrett andderson!

[BlueinAZ]

I agree with Batman. We need to bring back Juan Pierre. The problem people had with him the first time around was he was gettin' paid so much. But now we would just love to have a guy who can stay in the lineup and get on base. We don't need Damon, and we sure don't need Dunn (who needs a .222 hitter to drag down the team BA even more and contribute even more strikeouts than we already are going to have? And OBTW, he can't play OF. He's a 1B, PERIOD (and a mediocre one)). We need a steady left fielder.

And I feel sorry for Martin, too. Great guy, and he wants to be a Dodger. You gotta love the guy.

[Randy]

Why would anyone want weak armed Johnny Damon? Did nobody pay attention that when the Angels played the Yankees that the Yankess benched Damon because the Angels at the time and any other team with speed would go first to third all day long without fear of getting thrown out at all.

[BlueSangre]

Good BLEEPING GRIEF! Would someone PLEASE sign Adam Dunn and pu him in left field! Damon? The guy who spent most of his time Dh'ing? VARITEK TO CATCH IN HIS AGE AND THE FEW GAMES HE CAUGHT LAST YEAR?

RACE TO THE BOTTOM!!!

DO they reallllly want to start turning people into San Diego fans?

Martin? Treat him like an injured horse.

[waus]

Johnny Damon....really.

Watching him throw lollipops from left field would make Juan Pierre's arm look like Joe Ferguson's throw from right field during the world series.

Do not sign Martin....he's been on a serious decline over the last couple of years and that was before his hip snapped like a twig.

[Joe Ramirez]

Why don't we go after Moises Alou and bring Piazza back from retirement?

[Steve Wimer]

Damon? No, no, no. Varitek? Good glove, but how old is he? Is there still gas left in his tank?

[Hollywood Dodger Mark]

Damon is a Bobble Head Night waiting to happen.

[William]

Johnny Damon is Manny Ramirez without the dreads, the power potential,or the ability to carry a team by himself. It makes no sense to sign him. In his case, addition is a matter of subtraction. Look elswhere, look within, but let's not take another flyer on a once-upon-a-time big name.