Damon, who joined the hated Yankees 14 months after helping Boston win the 2004 World Series, might return to Yawkey Way for the stretch drive. According to a report at SI.com — later confirmed by Damon to reporters — the Detroit Tigers placed Damon on waivers, and he was claimed by the Red Sox on Monday.  By doing so, the Red Sox declared that they wanted Damon, at least enough to block him from going to the Tampa Bay Rays or the Yankees. That was the easy part. Now the Tigers and, perhaps, Damon must make their own decisions.  The Tigers could pull Damon back off waivers and keep him for the rest of the season, which would seem pointless, as they are far out of the pennant race and letting him go would save about $1.8 million. More likely, the Tigers would try to work out a deal with the Red Sox by Wednesday afternoon, or simply let Boston have him for nothing.  If the Red Sox do acquire Damon, he has the option not to go — or to demand financial incentives to approve the deal. Damon has a no-trade clause that includes 21 teams, including the Red Sox. There is lingering bitterness about his stormy departure from Boston.  “When I left Boston, there was a lot of hard feelings, a lot of mistrust and all that stuff,” Damon acknowledged at Yankee Stadium last week.  That same day, Damon was asked about the possibility that he could be traded before Aug. 31, when postseason rosters must be completed. Even if it happens, Damon said, he would still be interested in returning to the Tigers next season. On Monday in Detroit, Damon told reporters he would act with the Tigers’ best interest in mind.  “The only reason why I would be considering it is to help out this team in the future,” said Damon, who was batting .270 with a .355 on-base percentage and seven homers through Sunday. “I love the Tigers organization, and I love the fact that they’re up-front and honest. If somehow they can get a good prospect back, a player that can help this team in the future, it would be beneficial for them. I would like to remain a Tiger, so I think that’s why these next hours are pretty important.”  The reference to the Tigers’ honesty was similar to the way Damon talked about his dealings with the Yankees’ front office — in obvious contrast to his feelings about the Red Sox’ executives. Yet many uniformed Red Sox still command Damon’s respect, complicating his decision.  “It’s probably as tough of a decision for me to make right now as it was for me to leave Boston for New York,” Damon said. “It’s something that, fortunately, we have some time to think about. At this moment, I’m not sure I want to leave Detroit for that. I enjoy playing here. I enjoy the kids I’m playing for, the coaching staff. But obviously, Terry Francona is amazing.”  Damon played two years for Francona, the Red Sox manager, and was teammates in Boston with David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis and others. Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Jason Varitek, Jacoby Ellsbury and Mike Cameron are all on the disabled list, but the Red Sox started play Monday just five and a half games behind the Rays for the wild card.  “I had a great time playing there,” Damon said. “But I think once it was apparent that I wasn’t a necessity to re-sign there, it started to get ugly. And that’s why I’ve got to think long and hard. I have to think if they do have a strong chance to make the playoffs with the guys beat up there.”  If the Tigers decide to trade him and Damon decides to go, Red Sox fans will get the final decision, and perhaps the most fascinating one: to boo on principle or to cheer a prodigal champion.  A version of this article appears in print on August 24, 2010, on Page B10 of the New York edition with the headline: Difficult Decision for Damon In Possible Return to Boston. Order Reprints| Today's Paper|Subscribe
Johnny Damon was claimed on waivers Monday by the Boston Red Sox, a team he left in 2006 under acrimonious circumstances.