Dan Johnson Rumors

Dan Johnson Clears Waivers

FRIDAY: No one wanted Johnson; he cleared waivers and will head to Triple A Durham. WEDNESDAY: That was quick - Dan Johnson's time with the Rays is up. He's been designated for assignment in the wake of the Gabe Gross acquisition. Gross does make more sense for the roster spot. There are only a handful of teams that might be able to accomodate Johnson as a regular. We'll have to see which club was second in line for his services (if any). At the least, he'd be a strong bench player.   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Johnson, Bonds, Piazza

So far during the 2008 regular season, 28 players have either been DFA'd or released. At the same point last year, that list only included 14 players. In the past four seasons, only 2006 (22) had more than 14 players DFA'd or released this early in the season. This will be an interesting trend to watch the rest of this season and into the early portion of 2009. It appears to be an indication that teams are showing less patience to work trades for fringe players or teams may be placing higher premiums on prospects, unwilling to move even mid-level...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Tejada, Howard, Johnson

Couple more odds and ends this evening... Orioles executive VP Mike Flanagan admitted he wouldn't have signed Miguel Tejada to a six-year deal if he knew the shortstop's proper age. But he still would've signed him (if possible). People are debating whether ESPN ambushed Tejada with his birth certificate...of course they did. Ken Rosenthal believes the optimal course of action for the Phillies is to just let Ryan Howard play out the string and then let him walk as a free agent after the 2011 season. Rays Index says the Dan Johnson acquisition signals a "win-now" attitude for the Rays.   Continue Reading

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Rays Claim Dan Johnson

According to Susan Slusser, the Rays have claimed first baseman Dan Johnson off waivers. She expects him to put in time at DH while Cliff Floyd is out for the next month or so. Johnson moves from McAfee Coliseum (deflates LH HRs by 10%) to Tropicana Field (inflates LH HR by 4%). You can read Johnson's story here. He should be a decent stopgap for Tampa Bay.   Continue Reading

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Dan Johnson Designated

THURSDAY, 10:00am: The Giants have no interest in Johnson, according to Henry Schulman. WEDNEDAY, 3:11pm: As expected, Johnson was designated for assignment today. 11:14am: Susan Slusser believes first baseman Dan Johnson's Oakland career might be over, as the A's need a roster spot for rookie starter Greg Smith. Speculation is that Billy Beane could try to trade him to the Giants, where he'd be free to play regularly and bat in the middle of the order. Johnson, 28, has a .249/.344/.419 career line in 318 games. He was a late bloomer, earning a September call-up in '04 as a 25...   Continue Reading

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Giants Interested In Nick Johnson?

Henry Schulman at The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Giants GM Brian Sabean is seeking a left-handed hitting 1B to complement the aging Rich Aurilia, and lists Nick Johnson and the Braves' Scott Thorman as points of interest. Nick Johnson is off to a hot start hitting .368/.455/.688 in 19 ABs, and for this reason Schulman suggests he could be off the market; however, contrary to that rationale, the Nationals might want to take advantage of Johnson's sudden upswing in value. They do have Dmitri Young sitting idly by. If the Giants want to spend $11MM over the next 2...   Continue Reading

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Decision On Johnson Could Come This Week

There just doesn't seem to be a spot in Oakland for Dan Johnson. Once seen as a solution at first base, ineffectiveness and injuries have slowed him down a bit. While the 28-year-old still has some promise, he's blocked in Oakland at first base by Daric Barton and Mike Sweeney, and at DH by Sweeney and Jack Cust. There's been some speculation of a Johnson trade, and that might be coming soon. Chad Gaudin can come off the DL on April 12, and Johnson could be the casualty. It depends, really, on whether Billy Beane and Bob Geren want to...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Dan Johnson, Baldelli, Soria

Let's round up some linkage. Last Thursday I appeared on WVOX 1460 out of New York with Russell Mafes. You can download the file here (it's about 12 mb and 16 minutes long). Jim Hendry is very candid about the Cubs' desire to add a right-handed hitting outfielder who can handle center. Mike Sweeney's success and good health could mean Dan Johnson is on his way out of Oakland. Jim Salisbury says the Phillies might have taken Rocco Baldelli 15th in the 2000 draft instead of Chase Utley, if they'd had the chance. Would the Mets or Dodgers have taken...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Johnson, Ponson, Nady

Ever lose a contact in the bathroom and scour for it for hours? That was my morning. Good times. On to the links. Friend of MLBTR Susan Slusser notes that the Giants had two scouts watching the A's on Wednesday. One guy they might have been eyeing is first baseman Dan Johnson. It seems that Johnson, who is out of options, may be able to linger around on the A's roster until at least mid-April given the expanded rosters for the Japan series. And since Slusser's article we've learned that Daric Barton's hand injury is more serious than initially thought....   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Ponson, Inge, Papelbon

Let's round up some Monday morning links. The Cardinals are taking another look at Sidney Ponson. Insert your own punchline in the comments. Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun could see the O's making a minor trade for a veteran second baseman if they acquire Ronny Cedeno but not Eric Patterson in a Brian Roberts deal with the Cubs. Brandon Inge is trying his best to talk his way out of town. The Dodgers' recently reported nibble hasn't been publicly shot down, so that's a plus. South Side Sox thinks speedy infielder Eugenio Velez is the type of player the...   Continue Reading

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