OK, Winn is a fine 4th outfielder, put in place to make sure Brett Gardiner is working towards the job.  I know that means little really, since Gardiner is never going to be considered to have much of a bat- but as I told my students last night, setting goals is the first step towards reaching goals.

Is he Johnny Damon?  No.  But if Johnny Damon would have wanted to be a Yankee as much as many fans wanted to be a Yankee, he would have done what Alex Rodriguez did after Scott Boras opted him out of his last contract.  He would have gotten in touch directly with the Yankees and found a way to play for them. Johnny may not be as smart as ARod, but he was hanging out last week with Derek Jeter and CC Sabathia, someone certainly could have suggested it to him.

So Let It Go.  And that means reporters as much as fans.  Damon won’t be a Yankee.  Damon may just retire.

As for Randy Winn, Chad Jennings breaks down the good and the bad. There has been a lot of good prior to last season- but playing for the Giants, even though they were better last season, has to wear you down a bit.  New York, and its fans, might revitalize Winn a bit.  If not Brett Gardiner will get the job- and remember we like Brett Gardiner.

And as Tyler Kepner writes, the money saved on Winn allowed for Javier Vasquez and that is what will make the Yankees better in 2010 then they were in 2009.   Also read this post for how Scott Boras is spinning the conversation between himself and Brian Cashman so it looks like Cashman is the bad guy.  Don’t buy that for a minute.