Sox ponder Damon contingencies

12/13/2005
BOSTON -- Even though Red Sox management has continually expressed optimism concerning the return of free agent center fielder Johnny Damon, the club is looking into contingency plans if it finds itself without its leadoff hitter.
According to the Boston Globe, the Sox have had discussions with the Seattle Mariners concerning center fielder Jeremy Reed, in a deal that would send right-hander Matt Clement to the Mariners.
Reed, 24 and talented, hit .254 with three homers and 45 RBIs for Seattle last year. Meanwhile, Clement, in the first year of a three-year deal worth $25.5 million (signed as a free agent last winter), was 0-3 after winning Sept. 3 and was then blasted by the White Sox in the American League Division Series.
Reed's name popped up in recent reports out of New York that had the Yankees, looking to replace Bernie Williams in center field, perhaps involved in a trade that could send rehabbing righty Carl Pavano to Seattle.
Monday, when the Red Sox unveiled new co-general managers Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington, club president/CEO Larry Lucchino said, "We want to sign Johnny Damon. We have every intention of doing so." He added the club would not go public with any of the negotiations.
After an original three-year, $29 million offer to Damon, the Red Sox reportedly came up into the four-year, $40 million range. Damon's agent, Scott Boras, who said at last week's Winter Meetings that he had multiple offers for Damon, first asked for seven years at $84 million. But now, Boras may well be seeking the $13 million per season that Rafael Furcal, also a leadoff man, received from the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent.
Speaking at Saturday's "Christmas at Fenway," Sox manager Terry Francona said he thought Damon, "Will be back." On Monday, Cherington said "the chances are good" the center fielder will return for a fifth season in Boston.
On Wednesday night, Francona will narrate "Twas the Night Before Christmas" in front of the Boston Pops. On Christmas morning, the manager would love to wake up and find his old center fielder under his tree.
If that doesn't happen, the Sox, who have had to be quick on their feet this offseason, will have to go to Plan B.

Source: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/