Cleveland Makes Damon Signing Official

Cleveland has agreed to terms with OF/DH Johnny Damon on a contract.  Made official after he passed a physical, the one-year deal will give him $1.25 million and also offers an additional $1.4 million in incentives.  Cleveland is off to a 1-4 start and has only scored 20 runs on the season as the team as a whole is batting .178 at present.

The deal includes a no-trade clause and an "out" clause that will allow Damon to become a free agent after CF Grady Sizemore returns from back surgery.  Sizemore is currently on the 60-day disabled list.  Damon is expected to play mostly left field and serve as the starting half of a platoon with OF Shelley Duncan, who had been starting before now.

The 38-year-old Damon batted .261 with 16 homers, 73 runs batted in, and a .743 OPS last season for Tampa Bay, and has 2,723 career hits.

Damon Close to deal with Cleveland

Cleveland and DH/OF Johnny Damon are close to agreeing to terms on a one-year contract.  Cleveland is in need of outfield help with CF Grady Sizemore on the 60-day disabled list, and the deal is set to include a no-trade clause for the 38-year-old outfielder and an opt-out clause that would allow him to become a free agent after Sizemore returns.  The left-handed hitting Damon, who batted .273 with 16 homers and 73 runs batted in for Tampa Bay last season, is expected to get most of his playing time in left field.