Damon files for free agency

BOSTON -- One of the most pressing issues facing the Red Sox this winter is trying to retain the services of center fielder Johnny Damon, their offensive catalyst the past four years.
Damon officially joined the open market on Friday, filing for free agency.
However, the Red Sox have exclusive negotiating rights with Damon until Nov. 10. After that, he will be eligible to sign with any Major League club.
Second baseman Tony Graffanino, who gave the Red Sox stability in the middle of the infield after being acquired on July 19, also filed for free agency.
Kevin Millar and Bill Mueller, Boston's primary corner infielders the last three seasons, filed on Thursday.
The Red Sox were able to cross one potential free agent off the list on Friday, when the club agreed to terms on a new deal with dependable setup man Mike Timlin.
Other Red Sox players expected to file for free agency in the coming days include lefty setup man Mike Myers, right-handed reliever Matt Mantei and first baseman John Olerud.
But the key issue, clearly, is Damon. The left-handed leadoff hitter is coming off another solid season, scoring 117 runs, belting 197 hits, 35 doubles, six triples and 10 homers.
Damon has repeatedly expressed a desire to remain in Boston, and the Red Sox would love to bring him back.
"I fell in love with Boston, so hopefully I'll be here for a long time," Damon said the day the Red Sox were swept out of the postseason by the White Sox.
Now it's just a matter of whether the two sides can reach common ground.
Damon is represented by Scott Boras, one of the shrewdest negotiators in the game.
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, who is likely to sign a new deal by the beginning of next week, has developed a solid working relationship with Boras. On Dec. 24 of last year, the Red Sox signed Jason Varitek -- another Boras client -- to a four-year deal worth $40 million.
While many teams shied away from hard-throwing closer Craig Hansen in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft because of the Boras factor, Epstein pounced. The Red Sox selected Hansen with the 26th overall pick and wound up signing him to a four-year deal worth $4 million.

Source: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/