Nick Johnson Rumors

A's Interested In Nick Johnson, Jason Giambi

3:06pm: Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle has more. She says the A's checked in on Johnson a month ago, and they're looking into multiple first base/DH types that fit the affordable/solid OBP mold. Slusser believes Jason Giambi remains the A's top target, assuming he backs off his three-year demand. She adds that the A's want to keep Daric Barton and get him back on track. 12:59pm: MLB.com's Bill Ladson talked to a baseball source who says the A's received Johnson's medical records but trade talks have not yet begun. Ladson's source added that several other teams have Johnson's...   Continue Reading

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Olsen/Willingham Trade Roundup

It's official - the Marlins traded Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham to the Nationals for Emilio Bonifacio, Jake Smolinksi, and P.J. Dean. Let's round up commentary on the surprising deal. Jim Bowden says he acquired Willingham as an outfielder, not a first baseman. MLB.com's Joe Frisaro has Larry Beinfest saying the Marlins will move forward with both Jeremy Hermida and Dan Uggla. Mike Berardino and Juan C. Rodriguez also believe Uggla will stay put this winter. Olsen talked to Frisaro and the Palm Beach Post's Joe Capozzi about the trade. He's happy it's over, but doesn't sound bitter. Also at...   Continue Reading

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Perrotto's Latest: Royals, Ibanez, Rauch, Gregg

It's Sunday, which means that John Perrotto has his Every Given Sunday column up over at Baseball Prospectus. Here's the highlights... Royals GM Dayton Moore will likely make a big splash in the free agent market once again. Two years ago, he signed Gil Meche to a five-year, $55MM deal. Last year, he signed Jose Guillen to a three-year, $36MM contract. This year, his big target appears to be Rafael Furcal, which would allow the Royals to move Mike Aviles to second base. Moore is also believed to be willing to trade anyone on the team with the exceptions of...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Sabathia, Pavano, Penny, Burnett

Random links to start the morning... Ben Shpigel says Billy Wagner's $10.5MM for '09 is not covered by insurance, making the Mets unlikely suitors for K-Rod (hat tip to MetsBlog). The Padres claimed knuckleballer Charlie Haeger. You have to like the move; he's only 24. Ken Davidoff writes about Nationals pitcher Tim Redding, who dreams about returning to the Yankees one day. Davidoff also says that contrary to popular belief, C.C. Sabathia did not buy a home in Southern California. In another post, Davidoff lists the worst trades of '08. Nats GM Jim Bowden will probably bring in a veteran...   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In

Bunch of random topics so let's just get to it and see what it being said in the Blogosphere... Big League Stew talks to Bless You Boys about the idea of Barry Bonds signing with the Tigers. BYB argues against signing Bonds noting that the Tigers already have a bunch of slow players (base cloggers?) and what they really need is some more speed in the lineup...Although we keep hearing about collusion and have not heard any numbers bandied about, Bonds has always made it very clear how much he values the almighty dollar. Does anybody else think that Bonds...   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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Nationals' Surpluses Could Lead To Trades

Nationals GM Jim Bowden signed veterans Dmitri Young and Ron Belliard to curious two-year extensions last year. He's now faced with a logjam at two infield positions. Ben Goessling of the Washington Times describes the first base battle between Young and Nick Johnson, who get along well. Johnson has more trade value, given his age. Neither player is a lock for 150 games though. Johnson is injury-prone, but his perennial .400 OBPs are appealing. He and Young are both signed through '09; Young has a vesting option for '10. The Yankees or Mets could be in the market for Johnson...   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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Nick Johnson Readying For Spring Training

There's quite a feature in yesterday's Washington Post regarding Nick Johnson's return to action. It's one of those feel-good pieces that documents his hardships and the tenacity with which he faced them. But apparently he has no remaining physical limitations, so he'll get his shot in Spring Training. How is this a trade rumor? Well, he'll be competing with Dmitri Young for the starting first base gig. Both are signed through 2009, with roughly the same salaries. But there isn't room for both of them on the Nats roster. Each has his pitfalls, making a trade difficult. So what do..   Continue Reading

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Nick Johnson Signs Extension

Wondering why you had that empty feeling this weekend? I'm pretty sure it was because I briefly stopped churning out new content for you. But never fear, we're fully moved into our condo and I'll try to start writing regularly again between unpacking. One of the weekend's stories that I wanted to comment on was Jim Bowden's signing of first baseman Nick Johnson. Six days ago, I remarked: "My hunch is that the Nationals will re-sign him to a one or two year contract worth maybe $7MM annually. It doesn't seem like a team would commit more than two years..   Continue Reading

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MLB Free Agents 2007: Nick Johnson

On a slow trade rumor day, I figured it would be fun to take a good look at Nick Johnson. Johnson will be a free agent after the 2006 season, and his name was previously bandied about in a trade rumor involving the Red Sox. However, Nationals GM Jim Bowden has expressed a desire to re-sign his oft-injured first baseman. Johnson is entering his age 28 season. Last year he set a professional career high in at-bats, with 453. He hit .289/.408/.479 with an extreme pitchers' park as his home stadium. His OBP was ninth in baseball. Given his playing..   Continue Reading

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