Yankees Sign Jason Johnson, DFA Duncan

First yes anyway he can't win it over Hughes

This could be a bluff signing to force Pettitte to accept the 10 mil.

Has experience in AL East but has to be a bluff to AP cause I feel sorry if the Yankees think he makes the rotation

Although they may need him after Burnett and CC go down around July...

just adds depth

hughes needs a full season in AAA to prove his ability and health

"10 bucks say that a thousand Yankee haters come here overreacting to a minor league deal."

Posted by: hallofamer2000 | January 06, 2009 at 02:22 PM

Way to set the tone.

I am a Sox fan and like the move. This gives the Yankees organizational depth allowing them more flexibility to bring up / send down guys like Kennedy/Hughes during the year without it disturbing their minor league rotation.

Some of the most underated moves teams make are for organizational depth. Depth allows for flexibility at the major league level without upsetting stability at the minor league level. Keeping guys on a stable schedule in the minors allows them to develop exactly as the big club wants and it also allows them to be better rested later in the year which often leads to useful production from some of the guys during September call-ups.

If Kennedy can skip a few starts here and there because Johnson is giving the Yankees depth it might translate into Kennedy being a solid addition to the bullpen in September and post-season. If Kennedy pitches too much in AAA because the Yanks lack depth then come September/Oct they might not be able to call on Kennedy out of fear of ruining his arm.

There is a reason teams add organizational depth and its not to sell minor league tickets.

"Has experience in AL East but has to be a bluff to AP cause I feel sorry if the Yankees think he makes the rotation"

Experience in the AL East doesn't matter much when said 'experience' is sucking it up about as hard as possible. The guy competes with Way Back Wasdin as about the most grueling to watch pitcher to don a Sox uniform in my lifetime.

"This is probably a signing that is to give Phil Hughes veteran competition in order to make him strive his absolute hardest. This happens a lot in the NFL when an older veteran quarterback is signed to force the young underachieving quarterback to fight for his job. They're hoping it's like trapping an animal in a corner forcing it to go all out."

I'd consider a guy like Johnson more a confidence sapper than anything. It's like 'seriously, they want me to compete with this scrub? Do they seriously think I'm that bad?'

Minor league deal or not, this signing simply doesn't make sense to me on any level. Hughes, Kennedy and Igawa are all better than this scrub. He's not additional depth, he's not motivation to do better, he's just terrible. As a Sox fan, I dreaded days his name came up on the rotation to the point I would sooner see them dredge up Rich Garces and have him pitch left handed as a starter than see Jason Johnson out there.

"Way to set the tone."

I only say that because I remember what happened when they signed Zambrano to a MLC. There were hundreds of posts saying, "LOMG! THE YANKS ARE DESPERATE!!11!!"

I am a Yankee fan, but I kind of think signing Johnson is pointless considering that there has to be better options out there that are willing to sign a MLC.

Jason Johnson's still alive?

99% of these guys sign a contract - only in America can you suck at your job and still get a contract.
Prediction - By March 15 Mr Johnson is washing cars.

Carl Crawford @ Tampa Stole Home on Him B/C of Johnson's slow, deliberate approach...traditionally Remdawg hates it when a pitcher works slow...kills his buzz...you should hear him when Trax was pitching for Baltimore...

This a slow day for Yanks fans. This deal isn't that important. WHat did you guys expect Girardi to say, "Yeah we signed him, we know he sucks. He'll probably start the year in AAA and who know's if someone gets hurt or we need a long relief guy, maybe we'll call him up"? I don't think Mr. Johnson and family are looking for a house in New Jersey quite yet. More like a 3 bedroom apt or house rental in Scranton, PA. And even then be better ask for a 6 month lease.

This move provides depth, so I like it. However, I highly doubt he will be the 5th starter. We'd likely see Johnson come in if the Yanks lost 2 or more starters to injury.

Why is this buggar even in the minors? The only reason I've even heard of him is because he uses his diabetes as an edge to get personal gain. My diabetic son met him once and everyone in that room was so turned off by Jason Johnson 'cause you could tell he just thought he was the greatest person in the world for gracing us second class citizens with his presence. His blog while in Japan is a joke! Someone needs to take out the trash. This means you Mr. Johnson and hell no, I wouldn't let you with-in a farts distance of my beloved Yankees. Go live off the millions you've made being a horrible pitcher and let the real talent play with the big boys.