By Geoff Walter / SNY.tv

 

Johnny Damon was never intended to replace Bernie Williams, just succeed him. Think about it: how do you replace a 16-year staple who patrolled the most famous piece of turf in all of sports? You don't. What the Yankees simply wanted to do was to grab Damon away from Boston. They did that to the tune of a four-year, $52 million contract -- with two years and $26 million currently left. Nothing can or will change the fact that he is a Red Sox in pinstripes, not even a shave and a haircut, and he will be remembered more for his time in Boston than Kansas City, Oakland or New York.

 

The Yankees' move worked -- for a season. Boston had doubts about Damon's arm, which have manifested themselves this year. His lack of strength led to his odyssey around the outfield and time both on the bench and as a DH. He won't last as long as Bernie did, and may be traded at the end of the season for some younger players if GM Brian Cashman holds true to his tendencies of late. It's just that sort of behavior that helped Melky Cabrera, Williams' true successor, unseat Damon.

The Yankees will have their hands full and their wallets empty this offseason re-signing free agents Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Alex Rodriguez and Bobby Abreu. The very fact that Damon has been routinely moved from center to left by manager Joe Torre, and shared DH duties with Jason Giambi and Shelly Duncan because opponents consistently run on his throws shows his days are numbered. When asked to name the reason for the Bombers' surge since the All-Star Break, Torre named one player: Cabrera. The same player Damon says he can see playing "for a number of years." That's all you need to know.

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