The Dodgers officially signed outfielder Reed Johnson to a one-year, $800K deal today. He can earn another $250K in incentives. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the near-agreement on Sunday, with Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times adding contract details.
Johnson, 33, hit .255/.330/.412 with the Cubs last season, seeing time at all three outfield positions, though primarily in center field. He was limited to just 65 games as a result of a fractured left foot. The Cubs non-tendered him after the season rather than pay him a salary in the $3MM range.
We've heard recently that the Dodgers have been in touch with Garret Anderson, but the Johnson acquisition likely puts an end to that. Johnson makes more sense as a fourth outfielder, given his ability to play anywhere in the outfield, though UZR suggests that his only strong spot is in left.
Tim Dierkes contributed to this post.
when manny gets hurt for 70 games pre all star break reed will fill in nicely at clean up spot, he also plays a great shortstop and mediocre catcher he can do it all
Sure, he can do okay in the cleanup spot, but only against LHP. Who bats fourth the other 75% of the time?
Yeah, the guy with the .412 SLG % will do very well as our cleanup hitter…Seriously man? Come on. I’d rather have anyone but Dewitt/Carroll/Martin hitting cleanup than Reed.
I wish the Yankees would have signed Reed instead of Randy. Actually, i wish Damon was back for one year to hold the spot warm for Crawford.
Baseball is fair!
coming from a red sox fan wowwwwww stop whining lets see you compete with a payroll under 100 youd lose 100 games a year, over valueing your prospects and signing mediocre players or players past their prime to massive contracts you are like the bully who gets picked on by his older brother and complains about being bullied
I’m a Red Sox fan because I have lived in MA my entire life. I certainly don’t relish the fact that the Yankees or Red Sox may sign a small market team’s best player because they cannot afford them…it’s simply not good for the sport as a whole.
so what does us signing Reed freakin Johnson for a contract that is most likely less than a million dollars have to do with the Red Sox? Or Yankees? Do you post just to be a pain in the ass or to get attention?
Red Sox,Yankee, and especially Giant go to your own site. Dodger fans welcome
I think this is a decent signing depending on the amount of the deal. What I don’t understand is why the Dodgers tendered a contract to Repko for $500,000 if they were going out to get ANOTHER outfielder anyway. I realize that Johnson is a better hitter, but I don’t understand the need for both Johnson and Repko, especially when they have Paul too.
Trade bait maybe?
Thinking is to have Repko and Paul compete for a roster spot. Neither deserve to be handed one from the get-go, so this makes sense.
Maybe 5 outfielders on the MLB roster? I wouldn’t be opposed.
The Dodgers on Monday signed catcher Justin Knoedler to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League camp. just wanted to update all the dodger fans.
Most Dodger fans dont care about minor league signings, especially if the player has absolutely no chance of making the ML roster.
Some of us do.
I do too. I said most..
I hate seeing both members of the 2-headed monster gone. Edmonds and Johnson were a great platoon in CF for my cubbies in 08. Thanks for the memories Reed from the unbelievable diving catch in Washington to robbing Prince Fielder of a grand slam. You were one hell of a Cub. Good pick up for the Dodgers.
Does Johnson have millions coming his way or is this a non-guaranteed spring training-type contract?
just like my reaction to every other Dodger signing this year. meh.
They’ve kept Repko around like a guy who is going to get an immediate bench coach job afterwards or something. Wish they would’ve shown the same patience with Werth- oh just let it go already! But c’mon, just on sheer physical tools- Repko,Werth,Repko, WERTH!!!
Should be able to help Andre out if he continues to struggle against lefties. Ned keeps pulling off solid moves like these with no money. Carroll, Johnson, Padilla and Belliard, all combined for less than 8 mill in 2010. God, imagine what he could do if he had money.
I’m not sure if he has wised up, but before the 2009 season, he wasted big money on Schmidt, Pierre, and A. Jones. I’m not saying he would have gone out and given Pineiro 4-45 or anything, but with a bigger budget, he may be inclined to make worse moves like he use to. Then again, I like us having Schmidt for 3 years 47 mill than Zito for 7 years 123 mill. I think that’s what it came down to.