Rays ink Johnny Damon, Manny Ramirez
ST PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez are officially back in the AL East and ready to help the Tampa Bay Rays beat their former teams.
"We're baaack," Ramirez said as he took the stage for Tuesday's news conference to introduce the veteran outfielders who signed one-year deals with the Rays.
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AP Photo/Chris O'Meara
Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez will play on the same team for the first time since the 2005 season with the Boston Red Sox.
Damon agreed to a one-year deal worth $5.25 million plus $750,000 in bonuses based on attendance. Ramirez signed for one year at $2 million.
Damon will play left field while Ramirez will be the Rays' designated hitter next season. Manager Joe Maddon said he hasn't yet settled on a batting order but said that Damon and Ramirez provide him with several options.
Ramirez and Damon played together for four years in Boston and in 2004, Damon dubbed the Red Sox "idiots" on the way to the franchise's first World Series title in 86 years.
Damon said he and Ramirez have been hoping to play together ever since their time in Boston ended when Damon signed with the Yankees as a free agent after the 2005 season.
"We wanted this to happen ever since my departure from Boston years ago, we always felt great about each other, the kind of teammates we were," Damon told reporters. "And we know we can bring a lot of experience and playoff experience to these guys. I think that's why this move is very intriguing and Manny is ready to go and so am I."
Ramirez, when asked why he signed for just $2 million, said he's not playing for the money.
"I already made my money," Ramirez told reporters. "I'm here because I love the game, I love to compete. It doesn't matter how much you make. All you want is a chance to prove to people that you still could do it."
Damon, who played with the Detroit Tigers last season after spending four seasons with the New York Yankees, said the Rays have what it takes to repeat as AL East champions.
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We wanted this to happen ever since my departure from Boston years ago, we always felt great about each other, the kind of teammates we were.
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-- Johnny Damon
"Absolutely, this team can win the American League East," Damon said. The outfielder said he was excited to join a franchise that boasts young stars such as ace David Price and third baseman Evan Longoria.
Maddon said he was excited to add the veteran presence of Damon and Ramirez to what will be a young team in 2011. He compared the addition of Damon and Ramirez to the 2008 AL champion Rays that leaned on the veteran influence of Cliff Floyd, Eric Hinske and Troy Percival.
"It's nice to have not only veterans, but veterans who have been to the World Series several times and won," he told reporters.
Ramirez, 38, began last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, then was claimed on waivers late in the summer by the Chicago White Sox. He hit a combined .298 with nine homers and 42 RBIs.
The 37-year-old Damon batted .271 with eight homers and 51 RBIs last season for Detroit, mostly as a DH.
Damon, who is from Orlando, said it was appealing to him to play close to home.
"This is home for me. This is my dream team, and when I come here, my family and friends are there supporting me. I'll see much more of them, so I really love this opportunity to come back home and, hopefully, help this team win a championship," he said.
Damon said he'd love to be able to play 162 games but acknowledged that's not likely at his age. But Ramirez has a solution.
"Lets do this," he said, turning to Damon. "You play 100 and I'll play 62," he said, drawing laughter from those in attendance.
The moves mark the first major additions for the AL East champions after a devastating offseason in which one prominent player after another left cost-conscious Tampa Bay.
Carl Crawford signed with division rival Boston, Rafael Soriano signed with the division-rival Yankees and slugger Carlos Pena signed with the Cubs. Matt Garza (Cubs) and Jason Bartlett (Padres) were traded. A strong bullpen was depleted by the losses of Soriano, Joaquin Benoit, Dan Wheeler and Chad Qualls.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.