According to a source close to Tim Brown of Yahoo, the Tampa Bay Rays are closing in on a deal with outfielder Johnny Damon. The Rays are in a desperate need for offense, and while Damon is aging, he could add the offensive pop that they desire.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard rumors about Damon being associated with the Rays. Late in December, there were reports that they were interested in the free agent outfielder/designated hitter.

According to an AL executive (via Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe), “Damon can certainly still be a full-time player who can fit in nicely in the No. 2 hole in any lineup and be terrific,’’ said the executive. “None of my business, but he’d be ideal for a team like Tampa Bay, where you could use him in left field and DH him now and really give that club a leadership shot with Carl Crawford out of there.”

Damon, 36, hit .276 with 8 HR’s and 51 RBI’s in 539 AB’s with the Detroit Tigers in 2010.