Last winter, he let aging hitters Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon walk despite strong playoff performances.

FORBES: Cliff Lee vs. His Future Employer

Look no further than the drag on the Yankees payroll by fading stars like Mike Mussina, Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon.

FORBES: Magazine Article

But Johnny Damon (36) and Hideki Matsui (35), both walked after the 2009 season when the team declined long-term contract offers.

FORBES: Tulo is the Future, not Jeter

Youkilis joins Babe Ruth, Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens and Johnny Damon as Boston players who made the switch to the Bronx.

WSJ: Youkilis says tension with Chamberlain overblown

As baseball's off-season hits the home stretch, World Series hero Johnny Damon sits at home and waits to see where he'll be playing next season.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Johnny Damon is out of pinstripes, back in Jesus hair.

WSJ: Boston Celtics, New York Knicks: Boston Can't Shock New York Again��Right?

Devon White, Garry Maddox, Torii Hunter, Marquis Grissom and Johnny Damon were all similar: more or less average hitters who brought real value in the field and on the bases.

WSJ: The Mets' Abstract Exhibit

There are accounts of heroics by such Red Sox standouts as Johnny Damon and David Ortiz, and there's no shortage of space devoted to Martinez, the pitcher Yankee fans love to hate.

FORBES: Remaking The Red Sox

To keep the dynasty going, the club bought up baseball stars, front-loading its payroll with a handful of big names, some of whom (Johnny Damon, Jason Giambi, Mike Mussina and, soon, Clemens) are past their primes.

FORBES: Want To Pitch Today? Here's A Million Dollars

Inking a productive veteran to a long-term contract that figures to take him past his prime is a risk many clubs have taken under pressure to win (though some showed signs of reining in the practice during the 2009 recession--the Yankees bidding adieu to 36-year-old Johnny Damon, for instance).

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