Kelly Johnson Rumors

Olney On Potential Non-Tenders And Bradley

In today's blog post at ESPN.com, Buster Olney indicates that there is belief among general managers that the "financial restructuring that has been occurring across the landscape is about to hit the arbitration-level players like a tidal wave." He mentions underperforming, but well paid players like Garrett Atkins and Kelly Johnson are prime non-tender bait, especially since their clubs have replacements ready and it's unlikely they'll be able to trade them. Make sure you check out MLBTR's list of non-tender candidates. Olney also talks about some bad contracts the Cubs could acquire in exchange for Milton Bradley, adding that this...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Pirates, Mets, Johnson

A fresh batch of links for Saturday afternoon... According to John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus, Pirates right-hander Ross Ohlendorf missed arbitration eligibility by just two days. On the other hand, as Perrotto notes, right-hander Jeff Karstens is eligible for arbitration. MLB.com's Marty Noble fielded a ton of hot stove-related questions from Mets fans for his latest "Inbox" article. David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution suspects the Braves will stick with Martin Prado at second base next season. That, of course, leaves Kelly Johnson's future in limbo. He's eligible for arbitration and is expected to command close to $3.3MM, which...   Continue Reading

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Braves Rumors: Soriano, Gonzalez, Hudson

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution talked to Braves GM Frank Wren yesterday. Hot stove highlights: Wren considers the Braves' biggest needs to be the bullpen and the offense. O'Brien is certain the Braves won't try to re-sign both Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez. O'Brien explains why it's in the Braves' best interest to stay tight-lipped about possible arbitration offers for any Type A or B free agents (Soriano and Gonzalez both project as Type As). O'Brien guesses the Braves will try to work out a multiyear extension with Tim Hudson at less than $10MM per year. Decisions on Hudson's...   Continue Reading

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Kelly Johnson A Trade Candidate

Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson is drawing trade interest from other teams, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. Bowman thinks the Braves will be able to trade Johnson before the mid-December tender/non-tender decision comes due. Johnson, 28 in February, slipped to .224/.303/.389 in 346 plate appearances this year. He lost his starting job to Martin Prado in July, and hit the DL with a wrist injury shortly thereafter. Johnson earned $2.825MM last year, so he'll have to be paid at least $2.26MM in 2010 if tendered a contract. The Braves switched Johnson from left field to second base before the 2007...   Continue Reading

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Braves Talk: Infante, Francoeur

MLB.com's Mark Bowman has a new blog post about the Braves' current situation. Utility man Omar Infante is out six to eight weeks after Manny Corpas broke a bone in his hand with a fastball. There is a trickle-down effect on the trade market - the Braves have less depth now, and probably can't move a guy like Kelly Johnson. Bowman adds that the Braves are likely to shop Jeff Francoeur, but the prospects are grim given his performance in recent times. The Braves are still hurting for power at the corner outfield spots.   Continue Reading

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Braves Avoid Arb With Kelly Johnson

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Braves avoided arbitration with second baseman Kelly Johnson by signing him at $2.825MM for '09. The base salary is right at the midpoint of the filings, and Johnson can earn a bit more with awards incentives.   Continue Reading

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Braves Rumors: Griffey, Glavine, Johnson

MLB.com's Mark Bowman and The News Tribune's Larry LaRue both have a gut feeling that Ken Griffey Jr. will sign with the Braves soon. Atlanta is a better fit for Junior in all kinds of ways. It's all speculative right now, but Bowman also wonders if the Braves will announce a Tom Glavine signing alongside Griffey tomorrow. His guess at the two players they'd remove from the 40-man: Anthony Lerew and Gregor Blanco. Ken Rosenthal wrote last night that the Braves were close to re-signing Glavine. David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution weighs in via the comments section of his...   Continue Reading

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Hudson On Braves' Radar

In the comments section of his blog, David O'Brien reports that the Braves either previously had or currently have their sights on free agent Orlando Hudson. In the same comment however, O'Brien mentions that he's not sure the Braves would be too excited about moving Kelly Johnson out to left field. As an alternative to signing Hudson, the Braves may stick with Johnson at 2B, and test the outfield market.   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Teixeira, Markakis, Johnson

We have a new column from Ken Rosenthal this evening. Mark Teixeira is holding up many areas of the free agent market, as guys like Brian Fuentes and Milton Bradley know the Angels will be interested if Tex signs elsewhere. Rosenthal believes the Yankees should continue to be aggressive and make a competitive bid for Teixeira. The "poor working conditions and occasionally unruly crowd behavior" make it hard for the A's to attract free agents. Their move in 2012 should help. Rosenthal believes Chase Utley's seven year, $85MM deal could provide a framework for a Nick Markakis extension. The A's...   Continue Reading

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Furcal Close To Deciding Between Braves, Dodgers

11:40pm: SI.com's Jon Heyman says a Braves person said Furcal had a "gentleman's agreement" with the team. Talks continued with the Dodgers nonetheless. 7:00pm: Matthew Leach is reporting that the Royals are no longer pursuing Furcal. Leach says the Royals were unable to fit Furcal's demands into the payroll. Dayton Moore added that if the Royals are to add a player at this point, the team "would have to subtract [someone] because of where [the Royals] are financially." We previously heard that the Royals were one of four teams Furcal was considering offers from. 4:43pm: Tim Brown explains that while...   Continue Reading

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