Kelly Johnson cleared waivers and can now be traded to any team, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. However, an Arizona executive told Morosi that it's "unlikely" that the D'Backs make a trade. Johnson joins teammate Adam LaRoche on MLBTR's list of players to clear waivers.
Johnson, 28, has already established a career high with 19 homers. He has a .277/.367/.486 line in 2010, which has easily been his best season since his breakout 2007 campaign in Atlanta. Johnson makes $2.35MM this year and is under team control for 2011, his final season of arbitration eligibility.
I’m surprised he cleared.
Can’t agree with you more and I bet you said that a little bit disgrunted. He has really turned in to one of my favorite players in Baseball. He is always hitting well, every time I watch a D-Backs highlight it consists of Kelly in one way or another. This guy has put together one hec of a season and although there are many teams I’d like to see him on, I want to stay with the D-Backs and give this team one more year to win with the offense.
x2
KJ has been great this year, leading the team in WAR… and tied for 10th in the NL. Him, along with Chris Young have been great comeback stories. I don’t think the D’Backs will get near what he’s worth, so why not just hang on to him?
Should the Red Sox make a run for him after this weekend if Pedroia is out for the season, but the Sox are still in contention?
Wait, the Sox are in contention?
I meant to say: if they sweep the Rays.
That would be nice but improbable. I’d like to see the Sox get go after Kelly Johnson in that scenario too but I think it’s been too little too late for the Sox this year.
4 1/2 back of the leaders with a month to go is not too late.
Didn’t he hit the large majority of these homers — like 10 or 11 of them — in the first month and a half of the season?
I like Kelly Johnson, and I believe he’s a legit 20 HR guy, but I’d imagine he didn’t get claimed because he came back down to earth.
He did hit a majority of his HRs in April, but his OPS outside of April is still above average for a second baseman, so I’m still surprised he cleared.
Yeah, but he’s cheap and can play more than just 2B. I too am suprised no one claimed him. He is a bit like Rodriguez…but still would have been a nice add for the Rays IMO.
How did the Cardinals not claim him? Subsequently how could they not try their damnedest to trade for him?
That makes too much sense. For example, we acquire Happy Pete to play 3rd so that Lopez’s bumbling defense doesn’t cost us any more unearned runs. Then LaRussa plays Felipe at SS. If Felipe wasn’t good enough defensively at 3rd, why use him at SS?!? Surprise, surprise, he makes an error that results in 3 unearned runs last night.
I wanted us to trade for Johnson at the deadline, I have no idea why we wouldn’t claim him now. A Ryan/Johnson middle infield with Lopez and Schumaker spelling them/pinch hitting would be solid.
I’m not a fan of the current Cardinal GM-how do you not claim him? There has always been a knock against Johnson’s defense, but he’s still better than Schumaker and at least he brings a power threat.
I wished the Twins tried for him last off-season, they should grab him now.
I though Hudson has been solid. Is he hurt?
Padres.
Braves! Grr. How could this happen? How did he clear?