Ken Harrelson talks to Johnny Damon

Garfein:

What has become public is Damon’s round of golf with Pierzynski on Monday at a charity golf tournament in Florida. Hawk Harrelson was also there. Because of wrist problems, Hawk didn’t play, but rode along for nine holes. Speaking with the Sox broadcaster by phone on Thursday, Harrelson said he made his own sales pitch to Damon.

“I told Johnny that we’re going to win the division whether he’s with Detroit or not. And when I left after nine holes, I looked at him and said, ‘I’ll see you at Camelback Ranch’(the White Sox spring training facility). He smiled back and said, ‘I hear what you’re saying.’” …

… Damon is two months older than Dye, but as Harrelson put it, “It’s a good thing Johnny can play baseball, because he can’t play golf.”

Garfein also says that Atlanta’s 1-year offer to Damon is similar to the one by the Sox and Chipper Jones is the Atlanta’s recruiter.

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Kenny Williams to speak about Johnny Damon on Sunday

Gregor:

In his first public comment on rumors linking free-agent outfielder Johnny Damon to the White Sox, general manager Kenny Williams on Thursday morning told the Daily Herald: “I will talk about this on Sunday.” …

Gregor thinks the timing means Damon might sign with Detroit. Gregor says Kenny has a history of ignoring media requests before completing a deal, but Sunday is the day pitchers and catchers report and Kenny may know that Damon is close to a deal with Detroit.

Yesterday, Cowley wrote that the Sox haven’t imposed a timetable:

… There is no timetable on when a final decision is coming, but the Sox are expecting Damon to make the announcement soon, especially with pitchers and catchers reporting on Sunday.

Nothing new going on Johnny Damon talks?

Levine @ ESPN:

Despite several media reports, the status of the Chicago White Sox’s negotiations with free-agent outfielder Johnny Damon has not changed over the last two weeks, a league source familiar with the situation told ESPNChicago.com. …

Cowley:

… There is no timetable on when a final decision is coming, but the Sox are expecting Damon to make the announcement soon, especially with pitchers and catchers reporting on Sunday.

Sox increase their offer to Johnny Damon, move closer to a deal

Cowley:

What is known, however, is the Sox feel they have gone from long shot to frontrunner the last 24 hours in the Damon sweepstakes, not only because of the golf outing Pierzynski and Damon went on, but because the organization has upped their original offer, moving closer to the money the Tigers have put out there.

“I would be surprised if he didn’t sign with us,’’ one member of the club said. …

Gonzales sounds optimistic too.

Rosenthal says:

The White Sox’s one-year offer to Damon includes heavy deferrals and has a present-day value in the $4.5 million range, according to major-league sources. … neither Damon, nor his wife, Michelle, want any part of Detroit, multiple sources say.

About the rumors Mrs. Damon doesn’t want to go to Detroit, here’s Heyman:

Responding to the suggestion that Michelle might try to convince him to go to Chicago rather than Detroit, Damon said via text message, “But it’s up to me. She’s going wherever I go.”

Damon sounds a little like a jerk here. She’s his wife, not his dog. I hope he didn’t meant that.

BTW, here are pictures of Mrs. Damon. And her portfolio at SI.

Sox have talked with Toronto about Scott Downs and San Diego about Heath Bell

Bruce Levine:

Williams is still looking for another solid bullpen pitcher. Major League Baseball sources told me the White Sox have talked to the Toronto Blue Jays about the left-handed relief pitcher Scott Downs, who if acquired, would be an upgrade as the second left-hander in the Chicago Bullpen. The Sox have also asked about Padres closer Heath Bell. San Diego officials insist that Bell will not be traded at the beginning of the season, the likelihood is that by the time the trading deadline approaches july 31, that bell will be dealt. The same scenario exists for Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. …

Levine also hears that “the White Sox payroll is maxed out at $104 million for 2010.” Other stuff talked are the Johnny Damon rumors, Kenny’s #1 worry for 2010 being Carlos Quentin, and talking the marketing dept. (Brooks Boyer) before making a trade.

And here’s a link to the podcast of the interview with Kenny (12:29).

Stats: Downs, Bell.

Both Downs and Bell are on the last year of their contracts and are making $4 million. Bell would be too expensive to get, and Downs would be bad allocation of money. Bad? Yes, why not use that money to go after a DH?

Rosenthal: Sox “not seriously involved” in Johnny Damon sweepstakes

Rosenthal:

Source: #White Sox “threw bone” at Damon, but not seriously involved. #MLB #Tigers #Braves.

The Tribune says the Sox are “out of running.”

UPDATE: Jon Heyman says that it’s a battle between the Tigers and Sox, with the Braves being out.

Rosenthal speculates a Derek Lowe-Paul Konerko trade

Rosenthal:

Braves right-hander Derek Lowe turns 37 on June 1. He is guaranteed $15 million in each of the next three seasons. And he had a 6.65 ERA in his final nine starts. So, while Lowe is the starting pitcher the Braves most want to trade, they are finding it difficult to move him, according to major-league sources. … The White Sox are another potential match for Lowe — first baseman Paul Konerko, another right-handed hitter who would fit the Braves, will earn $12 million next season. Konerko, however, has only one more year remaining on his contract, while Lowe has three years at greater dollars.

Stats: B-R: Paul Konerko, Derek Lowe. Fangraphs: Paul Konerko, Derek Lowe.

A would be 37 next year with a K/BB under 2 and 3 $15 million years remaining on his contract? And in the NL? Stay away Kenny. Don’t go there.

Braves Assistant GM at the Sox game tonight (UPDATE)

FutureSox:

Jim Fregosi, Special Asst to Braves GM, at tonights Sox game. Is something brewing??

UPDATE: From the AJC:

Fregosi has been scouting the White Sox most of the week, but the Braves are not believed to be interested in first baseman Paul Konerko, as some have speculated. He comes with a hefty price tag of what’s remaining of his $12 million salary this year and $12 million next year.