Jonny Damon told CBS Sports' Jon Heyman that he's unsure why the Yankees haven't made him an offer.

"I think it's a perfect fit,'' Damon said of filling the Yanks' left-handed DH role. "But for some reason you have the year I had, especially with a team that has trouble scoring, and you can't even get a call to continue playing." The 38-year-old batted .261/.326/.418 with 16 home runs and 73 RBI last year for Tampa Bay but could remain unsigned when spring training gets underway next week. The Yankees are thought to be deciding between Damon, Raul Ibanez and Hideki Matsui.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post was told by executives of three teams with interest in Johnny Damon that they are concerned his quest for 3,000 hits is affecting his plate discipline.

Damon, who is 277 hits away from 3,000, swung more often and chased more pitches outside the zone last season and had his lowest walk rate since 2005. However, the 38-year-old refused to say his increased aggressiveness had anything to do with the milestone. "I think the OBP (on-base percentage) went down because in 2011 I felt like there were tough calls on me so I was a little more aggressive," Damon told Sherman via text message. "I liked the results with production better because of it." The Yankees are reportedly considering Damon, Raul Ibanez or Hideki Matsui for their DH spot.

Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM reports that the Orioles, Mariners, Athletics and Yankees are "still playing on" Johnny Damon.

As in, they've all four expressed interest in recent weeks. But Damon has struggled to attract serious offers throughout this offseason, and will probably have to drop his asking price in order to land somewhere soon. The 38-year-old designated hitter batted .261/.326/.418 with 16 home runs and 73 RBI last year for Tampa Bay.

Manager Joe Girardi acknowledged Johnny Damon as a player the Yankees could potentially pursue at designated hitter.

''Johnny has been a great player for a long time," Girardi said. "There's been a bunch of names talked about, and they're all good players. Obviously, we know what Johnny and [Hideki Matsui] have meant to this organization. ... I can't tell you it's going to be one of those guys, but we know they know how to play here." Damon, 38, batted .261 with 16 homers and 73 RBI this past season. He has received little interest on the free agent market.

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun writes that the Orioles aren't motivated to pursue Johnny Damon.

Damon looked like a real possibility for the O's just a couple of days ago, but they don't have a huge need at designated hitter after signing Wilson Betemit this week. The Tigers just signed Prince Fielder to a mega-contract, so a return to Detroit appears to be a long shot. While the Yankees can't be ruled out, they appear content to wait things out.

Johnny Damon said Tuesday that he would be open to a returning to the Tigers in 2012.

Detroit needs a replacement at DH after losing Victor Martinez for the year to an ACL tear. And Damon would be open to talking about filling that vacancy. "I have interest knowing that I loved playing there and they are a team built to win," he told the Free Press on Tuesday. The 38-year-old batted .261/.326/.418 with 16 homers and 73 RBI in 150 games last season for Tampa Bay.

Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that the Tigers "are indeed pursuing" Johnny Damon.

Morosi says Damon is a "stronger possibility" for the Tigers than Derrek Lee, who has also been mentioned as an option. Damon, who batted .271/.355/.401 with eight homers and 11 steals in 2010 for Detroit, would be able to help out in the DH slot with the loss of Victor Martinez and also can play some left field should the Tigers choose to use Delmon Young as a DH, as well.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Johnny Damon "badly" wants to rejoin the Yankees, but the team is "not set on any one DH type."

Sherman also notes that the Yanks will wait for their deals for Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda to be finalized before they make any other moves. Damon could also potentially be an option for the Tigers, and the Orioles have come interest, as well. The 38-year-old batted .261/.326/.418 with 16 homers, 73 RBI and 19 stolen bases for the Rays in 2011.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Yankees have talked to Johnny Damon about possibly being their designated hitter.

Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York reported previously that Damon and the Yanks could be a fit, and evidently the team's brass agrees with him. Damon probably wouldn't play every day, and he'd likely have to settle for a deal well under the $5.25 million he earned in 2011. He had a pretty decent year with the Rays last season, batting .261/.326/.418 with 16 homers, 73 RBI and 19 stolen bases.

Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York was told by a source that if the Yankees do add a hitter, it will be at the "right price in a late deal."

In other words, don't expect them to make a run at Prince Fielder. Marchand floats the names of former Yankees Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui as possibilities for semi-regular DH duty, though it's not clear at this point if the team has interest in either. He also notes that the Yanks are likely to give Alex Rodriguez a day or two per week in the DH slot, and that Derek Jeter could spend some time there, as well.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Orioles "appear to have some interest" in free agent outfielder/designated hitter Johnny Damon.

Heyman mentioned the Orioles, along with the Mariners and A's, Thursday as possibly being players for the veteran. O's manager Buck Showalter has said that he doesn't want a full-time DH in 2012, so Damon would seem to fit what they're looking for as someone capable of still playing the outfield (though not well). Damon batted .261/.326/.418 with 16 homers, 73 RBI, 19 stolen bases last year for the Rays, whose interest in re-signing him likely was eliminated by the acquisition of Luke Scott.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports writes that the Orioles, Mariners and Athletics are among the potential players for free agent Johnny Damon.

The Rays signed Luke Scott this week and plan to use him as their primary designated hitter in 2012, so Damon will have to find work elsewhere. However, it's not clear whether any of the teams mentioned by Heyman have legitimate interest. The 38-year-old earned $5.25 million last season while batting .261/.326/.418 with 16 homers, 73 RBI, 19 stolen bases and a .743 OPS. He is 277 hits away from 3,000 for his career.

According to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, Johnny Damon is in talks with the Rays and at least one other team.

"There was not a better DH in the AL, apart from Michael Young and David Ortiz, and he had a great season down there,'' said Damon's agent Scott Boras. Victor Martinez and Billy Butler were pretty good too, but hey, probably just slipped his mind. Damon, 38, earned $5.25 million last season while batting .261/.326/.418 with 16 homers, 73 RBI, 19 stolen bases and a .743 OPS. The Rays are hopeful to secure two hitters, likely at first base and DH, leading into spring training.

Johnny Damon told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times that he's still interested in returning to the Rays but hasn't heard much from them.

Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman plans on acquiring a pair of hitters, and although he has said re-signing Damon and/or Casey Kotchman is a possibility, they appear to be on the back burner. Topkin opines that, of the available DH options, "none might be better" than Damon, as Vladimir Guerrero and Hideki Matsui "haven't piqued (the Rays') interest" and Alfonso Soriano "is a no."

Johnny Damon conceded that his fate is likely tied to Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman in an interview with the Boston Globe.

"I haven't even talked to them just because our GM [Andrew Friedman] is a free agent," Damon said. "He's not going to sign me and then leave. If he goes to Houston, his hometown, he's going to try and bring me along with him. That's where my waiting game is.'' Damon, 38, hit .261 with 16 homers and 73 RBI for the Rays last season, where he was primary used at designated hitter. He's not expected to receive interest from teams other than the Rays or Astros this offseason.

Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said the team remains interested in possibly bringing back free agents Johnny Damon and/or Casey Kotchman.

"They are very prominent in our discussions right now as we're going through things," Friedman said. "I expect that will continue." Damon made $5.25 million this season while batting .261/.326/.418 to go along with 16 homers and 73 RBI over 582 at-bats, and the Rays value his clubhouse presence. Kotchman proved to be a bargain, hitting .306/.378/.422 with 10 homers and 48 RBI over 500 at-bats while making just $750,000.

Ken Davidoff of New York Newsday writes that the Rays "haven't ruled out" re-signing Johnny Damon.

Davidoff writes that the Rays "liked his offense" and "loved his personality," but like with most free agents, this will come down to a matter of price. Damon, who turned 38 earlier this week, made $5.25 million this season while batting .261/.326/.418 to go along with 16 homers, 73 RBI and a .743 OPS over 647 plate appearances.

Johnny Damon said following Tuesday's exit from the ALDS that he would "love to be back" with the Rays next season.

"I don't even feel like packing anything up," said Damon. "I felt like this was the perfect fit. . I would love to be back." Damon made $5.25 million this season while batting .261/.326/.418 to go along with 16 homers, 73 RBI and a .743 OPS over 647 plate appearances. He turns 38 in November and is just 277 hits away from 3,000 for his career.

Johnny Damon finished 3-for-3 with a homer and four RBI in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Damon hit a run-scoring double in the bottom of the first inning and a three-run shot in the eighth. Now with 16 homers, 71 RBI and 19 steals, he's quietly pieced together a strong fantasy campaign. The Rays are now just 1 1/2 games behind the Red Sox in the American League Wild Card standings.

Johnny Damon returned to action on Wednesday September 7.