I was completely shaken up by: Cost-conscious New York Yankees finally tell Johnny Damon to walk

New York

BY Anthony Mccarron

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Thursday, January 28th 2010, 4:00 AM

Johnny Damon spent part of the past week working the phones, trying to figure a way back into pinstripes. In the end, though, the outfielder was squeezed out by the Yankees' new-found desire to stick to a budget, and the Damon Era in the Bronx officially ended Wednesday when the Yanks agreed to a deal with Randy Winn.

There are "no hard feelings for each other," Damon said in a telephone interview. "I loved my time in New York. I thought it was the greatest organization. They ran everything the right way. I'm just glad we won (a World Series), so I'll always be linked to a championship team in New York.

"I had discussions with (team president) Randy Levine, Cash (GM Brian Cashman) and (owner) Hal Steinbrenner and we talked about how things are now in this economy in the baseball world and I understood their budget and they understood where I was coming from. I wanted a two-year contract to come back and have a chance to win another World Series or two and see Derek Jeter get 3,000 hits."

The 35-year-old Winn, who hit .262 with two homers and 51 RBI in 149 games for the Giants last season, fits snugly into the Yankees' budget. His deal is worth $2 million, according to a baseball official with knowledge of the contract, and will become official after a physical today. While signing Winn means Damon is out, it does not preclude the Yankees from adding another cheap, experienced outfielder, a team insider said.

The switch-hitting Winn could spell Brett Gardner in the outfield against lefthanded pitchers, even though he hit .158 with a .184 on-base percentage and .200 slugging percentage in 125 plate appearances against lefties last season.

Damon is even a fan of the man who, essentially, bumped him out of contention to return. "Randy Winn is the perfect guy to fit into that team - switch-hitter, plays pretty good defense," he said.

As for Damon, he is searching for a new club. He wouldn't name any teams he is talking to, but various media reports have linked him to the A's, Braves, Tigers, Reds and Rays. The Tigers might be a match, especially considering how Damon's agent, Scott Boras, has gotten big deals from Detroit for clients such as Pudge Rodriguez and Magglio Ordoñez.

When Damon lingered on the market and the Yanks had not added an outfielder, many in baseball believed a reunion was inevitable. Several teammates, including Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira, called Damon to tell him how much they wanted him to return. Damon guessed that some Yankees would be "pretty upset" he won't be back.