Red Sox look at life after losing Damon; Bernie still a Yankee
Lucchino and co-general managers Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington declined during a Fenway Park news conference to discuss details of their offer to Damon but conceded that the negotiations ended abruptly with the news Damon agreed to a $52 million, four-year deal with New York.
"The last stages of this did come as a bit of a surprise to us," Lucchino said. "We're not going to go back and reconstruct the negotiations, and what would we have done. I leave it to the Yankees to make decisions for the Yankees."
Boston was said to have made a $40 million, four-year offer to Damon during baseball's winter meetings two weeks ago. Lucchino said the team gave Damon until Christmas to accept, but the three wouldn't say whether the Red Sox increased their offer.
"I think it's fair to say that we left the door ajar for a subsequent formal offer," Lucchino said. "We wanted to sign Johnny Damon. We made a very strong and concerted effort to do so. We're disappointed."
The Red Sox have to replace his glove in center field, his bat at the top of the order and his charismatic presence in the clubhouse. With holes also at first base and shortstop, Boston's reorganized front office has much work to do.
Lucchino, Hoyer and Cherington praised Damon for his performance during four years with Boston, a tenure that included the team's first World Series title in 86 years.
"He was an offensive force," Lucchino said. "He was a clubhouse leader . . . and just a generally good guy. We will miss him."
WILLIAMS STAYS WITH YANKEES: Bernie Williams is staying with the New York Yankees, agreeing Wednesday to a $1.5 million, one-year contract that allows him to earn an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses. Williams, coming off an $87.5 million, seven-year contract, will have a reduced role as a designated hitter and backup outfielder.
GIANTS ACQUIRE FINLEY: The San Francisco Giants acquired outfielder Steve Finley from the Los Angeles Angels for third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo on Wednesday in a swap of former All-Stars who dropped off dramatically last season. The 40-year-old Finley batted a career-worst .222 with 12 home runs and 54 RBIs in 112 games for the Angels, who won the AL West for the second straight year.
CARTER SIGNS WITH DEVIL RAYS: Relief pitcher Lance Carter on Wednesday agreed to a $550,000, one-year contract to remain with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The right-hander was 1-2 with one save and a 4.89 ERA in 39 appearances last season. In parts of five major league seasons with Tampa Bay and Kansas City, he is 13-11 with 29 saves and a 3.94 ERA. Carter was an All-Star in 2003, when he saved 26 games. His deal includes incentives of $25,000 each for appearing in 40, 50 and 60 games.
You can be the first to comment on this story.