Damon Sweepstakes May No Longer Include Atlanta

Braves' 2010 hopes may lie on the bat of Jason Heyward

A day following David O’ Brien’s report verifying the Atlanta Braves’ involvement in the pursuit of free-agent outfielder Johnny Damon, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman chimed in with a very different assessment.

In his blog, Bowman all but eliminates Atlanta as a possible destination, citing the Braves’ depleted payroll. Despite landing OF Melky Cabrera, 1B Troy Glaus and utility man Eric Hinske at relatively low prices, Bowman believes Atlanta can offer no more than $2 million to the 2-time all-star (A price lower than Damon, and his agent, are seeking).

If unable to bring the former Yankee to Atlanta, the Braves will be left with an outfield consisting of Cabrera, Nate McLouth and Matt Diaz (A suitable, but not offensively explosive group) .  If general manager Frank Wren can not land the 15-year vet, Atlanta will invest all of its hope in the 20-year old Jason Heyward.

After being selected by Atlanta in the first round of the 2007 draft, the 2009 Minor League Player of the Year has torched competition and drawn praise from scouts at every level. Ranked the #1 prospect in the Braves system, Heyward is hoped to be Major League ready by March.

Braves on Verge of Landing Coveted Bat

Damon would certainly bolster a Braves outfield lacking in offensive firepower

With initial Spring Training workouts beginning 35 days from now, and payroll nearly at its limit, the Atlanta Braves seemingly have one gift remaining on its still unfulfilled holiday wish-list.

Content with the product he has assembled this off-season, but intrigued by the possibility of adding an all-star outfielder to solidify the Braves lineup, general manager Frank Wren appears to be making a push for free-agent Johnny Damon.

David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution via Twitter, reports that Atlanta remains in active pursuit of the 2-time all star, despite making no public offer thus far.

Damon, a 36 year-old outfielder who has spent the previous four years playing for the New York Yankees, hit .282 in the final season of his contract, driving in 82 runs and hitting a career-high 24 home-runs (a number aided by the friendly confines of the new Yankee Stadium).

With 15 years of Major League service, Damon has compiled a .288 career average, 207 home-runs, and 2425 hits.

Interest has peaked for the Braves, a team in need of both a dependable bat atop the order and talented defender at a corner outfield position, as Damon’s value continues to decrease.

Having already added OF Melky Cabrera, utility man Eric Hinske and 1B Troy Glaus in the offseason, the Braves lack the amount of money originally sought by Damon and his agent, the infamous Scott Boras ( A number that exceeds $10 million for multiple years).

As teams find cheap alternatives to fill empty slots, Damon has been left on the market, where his value has steadily diminished. With many of the teams thought to share interest in reeling in the veteran free agent no longer in pursuit, the Atlanta Braves may now stand as the front-runner.

………………………

How’s this for a lineup:

1. Johnny Damon LF

2. Nate McLouth CF

3. Chipper Jones 3B

4. Troy Glaus 1B

5. Brian McCann C

6. Yunel Escobar SS

7. Martin Prado 2B

8. Matt Diaz RF and/or Heyward.

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-Jeff