Braves said to have offered Johnny Damon a 1-year contract
The Phillies could be seeing a lot more of Johnny Damon, a major thorn in their side during the World Series.
The Phillies could be seeing a lot more of Johnny Damon, a major thorn in their side during the World Series.
A person familiar with the negotiations tells the Associated Press that the Atlanta Braves have made an offer to Damon, the free-agent outfielder who batted .286 with 24 homers for the New York Yankees last year.
Atlanta's offer is believed to be for 1 year and include deferred money. Damon's agent, Scott Boras, has said he is seeking at least a 2-year deal.
Damon, 36, likely would bat leadoff for the Braves.
Also, Braves manager Bobby Cox says the team is prepared to give 20-year-old outfield prospect Jason Heyward a chance to win a starting job.
Noteworthy
* Former New York Mets slugger Carlos Delgado will consider retirement if he does not receive an offer to his liking, the Puerto Rico newspaper Primera Hora reported. Delgado, 37, has 473 homers and 1,512 RBI in 17 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins and Mets. Delgado, who was limited last season by a hip injury, said there has been some interest in him but no good offers.
In other Mets news, Citi Field's bonds have been lowered to junk status by Standard & Poors and Moody's Investors Service because the company that insures the reserve fund for many of them is having financial troubles.
* Free-agent righthander Chien-Ming Wang will make his decision about which team to sign with in the next week to 10 days, ESPN.com reported, citing sources. The Washington Nationals are said to be among the former Yankee's choices.
* St. Louis infielder Brendan Ryan had arthroscopic surgery on his right wrist. He is expected to be ready for the season opener.
* Former St. Louis righthander Todd Wellemeyer agreed to a minor league contract with San Francisco. Wellemeyer, 31, went 7-10 in 21 starts and seven relief appearances last year while missing time with an elbow injury.
* Seattle signed righthanded reliver Jesus Colome to a minor league contract. Colume, 32, appeared in 21 games last season with Washington and Milwaukee.
* Mark Rosenthal, a sports lawyer who represented the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Angels, the Atlanta Braves, the Texas Rangers and other sports teams in arbitration, has died of cancer at 61.
* The Tampa Bay Rays sold their minority interest in the UFL's Florida Tuskers back to the football league that played its first season in 2009.