Johnny

Damon

''I’ve been hearing from Mike Sweeney,’' Damon said, ''and he’s like, `Yeah, I think we’re close to getting you.’'' The Red Sox lack any replacements in center, so it wouldn’t make much sense for them to trade Damon. The one intriguing possibility would be a Damon and prospects for Carlos Beltran deal, but if the Royals are willing to spend more than $8 million per year on a center fielder, they should do whatever it takes to keep Beltran.

He has also tied his career-high for RBI in a season with 88. Talk about getting hot at the right time.

Damon has been one of the AL’s hottest hitters this month. In his last 21 games he has scored 20 runs and is hitting .341. Damon certainly can’t be balmed for the Red Sox recent failure to overtake the Yankees.

He is 10-for-15 in his first at-bat in the 17 games he has hit leadoff since August 16th. He has also walked and reached first on errors twice and scored 12 first-inning runs over that span. Damon has certainly been the catalyst for the Red Sox recent surge.

Darrin Erstad has the most RBI out of the leadoff spot in a season with 100 during the 2000 campaign. Damon, who has been red hot down the stretch, may have convinced the Red Sox that they do not need to sign Carlos Beltran to play center field in Fenway in 2005.

''Well, I would definitely love to get something done and lock up the rest of my career here in Boston. It’s up to them,’' he said. ''I know they want to see what kind of shape I [was] when I came into camp. Mentally, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. Physically, I feel very strong. I’ve trimmed up a lot.’' Damon is just 31, so if he’s willing to keep playing for $8 million per year, the Red Sox shouldn’t be afraid to lock him up through 2007. If, on the other hand, he wants the four-year, $40 million contract that Jason Varitek and Edgar Renteria received, the Red Sox may have to search for another center fielder next winter.

''I think he’s gotten himself to the point where he’s putting too much pressure on himself and I’m trying to help relieve some of that pressure,’' manager Grady Little said. ''When he gets going, we’ll put him back on top, where he belongs.’' Bill Mueller will spend at least the next few days batting leadoff.

Damian Jackson got the start in Damon’s place.

Preliminary indications were that Damon would need about a week off, but the Red Sox may keep him on the roster and just use him as a pinch-runner and a defensive replacement initially.