No Market For Reed Johnson

He's actually very good defensively and can play CF probably pretty well. That's what makes him underrated.

But I don't see how Lind is expendable unless the return is equal. The Jays just let him brew in AAA and call him up when injuries strike, and he'll definitely have a job at DH/LF next year. Lind won't be traded unless its for an equal return.

Johnson is a good player when used in a platoon, so if he's healthy and hits career norms and Stairs does well then it should be fine. He can also be bought out if Shanon Stewart is better.

Like every MLB team the Jay's needs are primarily in the pitching Department.

They could use a bonifide 4th or 5th starter to solidify their rotation so they do not have to use Casey Janssen which will weaken their bullpen.

It would be nice to see J.P. Riccardi pursue Blanton or Rich Harden from the A's given his connection there and the fact that both of these guys have arbitration years which would soften the blow if A.J. Burnett leaves after this year.

trade for a power lefty bat? why not sign barry bonds.

also why would reed's value be there ever. lofton, corey patterson, bonds, etc. are still on the market...corner OF are not hard to get, and Reed is a below average hitting LF, so even without injury concerns shouldn't have much value (and a 3 million salary). I still think he's a useful player if healthy though...

Also I may as well give my scouting report on Lind since I saw him play everyday in the majors last year. In the OF he doesn't get quick starts on balls, he's not that quick, but he showed more athleticism in his diving attempts several times. He did look a little shaky, but he could improve. Hitting wise the power is there for 20 to 30 homers, but he has never walked that much in his career and thus has middling plate discipline. He's no star, but I think he's a safe bet to be a GOOD hitter for a few years, and be cheap while he's at it.

I don't get how teams can give up on their guys so quickly (talking about Lind here). The guy averages .317/.378/.506 in the minors and is all of 24 and they're ready to cut bait after 350 MLB at-bats? Mystifying, particularly since Overbay couldn't even muster a .400 SLG at 1B last year.

Matt Stairs doesn't explain why Overbay's carcass started 119 games at 1B last year.

Bourne Identities:

Overbay was injured all season long, playing with pins in his hand for most of the year. The pain was nearly unbearable.

The three seasons before 2007, he averaged about .300-.375-480 with 20 homers and 45 doubles. That's about what everyone is expecting from him.

Tim, I think the confusion about Lind's defense stems from the fact that he was initially pegged as being an AWFUL defensive OF, and when he came up to Toronto last April, it turned out he was passable. But that's about it. And don't forget, while he was up here, the bar for comparison was Matt Stairs.

Those two factors, I think, to a lot of minds made him seem a little better than he really is. Law's probably got it right, but like I say, it's at least passable. We're not talking Barry or Manny here-- in any sense.

Hmmm... I'd love to be able to go back and edit my comments...

To Oakland:
Adam Lind/David Purcey/Curtis Thigpen/ mid-level prospect

To Toronto:
Rich Harden or Joe Blanton

"Adam Lind/David Purcey/Curtis Thigpen/ mid-level prospect"

For Harden ??? haha, we already have a Harden and his name is AJ Burnett.

Im sure all it would take to get Harden and the 30 innings he will pitch this year, would be Thigpen.

For Blanton though, now that could work.

I think the Twins should trade for Reed Johnson to play center, who actually thinks that Gomez is ready to take over centerfield in Minnesota