"My teammates are making this decision easier by saying they want me to stay," Damon said after Monday's 12-3 win over Kansas City. "My gut and everything else tells me that Detroit's the place for me."

Damon, though, said he wants to talk to Tigers president Dave Dombrowski before making his final decision.

His contract includes a clause that gives him veto power over trades to all but eight teams. Because the Red Sox aren't one of those eight clubs, he can block a return to Boston, where he was a long-haired, bearded folk hero as a key part of the 2004 "idiots."

When a source close to Damon was asked whether Damon was going to Boston, the source said, "I doubt it. But we'll see.''

Dombrowski declined comment.

Detroit could work out a trade with Boston to complete the deal if Damon gives the OK, and that might bring the Tigers a prospect in return.

"I understand if it could help the Tigers in the future, I have to look at it that way, but my teammates are making it much easier on me," he said. "If they want me to stay, teammates normally win out."

It is still unclear whether the Red Sox claimed Damon in order to try to acquire him or to prevent him from joining another contending team, such as the Tampa Bay Rays, who are in need of an outfielder.

If Damon decides he wants to return to Boston and the Red Sox are interested, the team has 48 hours to work out a trade with the Tigers, who also could let him go for nothing or decide to pull him back off waivers and keep him.

"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 earlier Monday. Damon was referencing his move to the Yankees after the 2005 season, a decision that still strikes a negative chord with many Red Sox fans. "It's something that, fortunately, we have some time to think about."

The Red Sox have been ravaged by injuries this season, including Opening Day starting outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury (ribs) and Mike Cameron (abdomen), both of whom are unlikely to return this season. Still, Boston remains on the fringe of playoff contention, 5½ games behind the Rays and Yankees in the American League East.

"At this moment, I'm not sure I want to leave Detroit for that," Damon said. "I like playing here and I love the fans. I'm enjoying playing with these kids and for this coaching staff. But obviously, [Red Sox manager] Terry Francona is amazing. But it's something that I'm going to have to think long and hard over.

"I had a great time playing there," said Damon, who played in Boston from 2002-2005. "I told the team what it would take, in terms of dollars and years -- but it got ugly when it became apparent that re-signing me [after the 2005 season] wasn't a priority."

Damon said the broken relationship with the Boston fans has "absolutely" left a scar on his psyche, and he knows accepting a move back to the Red Sox could fix that, especially if he could help them make a late playoff run.