The White Sox signed first baseman Dan Johnson to a minor league deal, tweets Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.
Johnson, 32, hit .273/.382/.459 in 395 Triple-A plate appearances for the Rays' affiliate last year, a downturn from his 2010 production perhaps caused by a wrist injury. He elected free agency after being outrighted by the Rays in November. Johnson clubbed a pair of legendary late-season home runs for the Rays in '08 and '11, as described here by Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Johnson is represented by TWC Sports.
For teams still seeking a little extra depth at first base, the free agent market features Russell Branyan, Ross Gload, Conor Jackson, Casey Kotchman, Derrek Lee, and Xavier Nady.
A Rays legend , good luck Dan !
He’s a Ray for life…
Hopefully Dan can have some sustained big-league success with the WSox. He really tore it up in the minors for a while.
Oh thank goodness he’s away from the Rays. I feel like he single-handedly beat the Sox about half a dozen times.
Also, what’s the over-under on Johnson contributing more than Dunn this season? 😛
The Red Sox single-handedly beat the Red Sox about a half a dozen times…
Not good – look for Dunn to have a “typical year” – .250 35Hrs 100 Rbis and 120 SO – 65 BB to good not to. History on his side.
Side note: What’s the chance Fielder has a Dunn 2011 year. Slugger changing leagues overweight never Dhed????
He’s not going to DH this year, either. The “plan” is Cabrera at 3B, Fielder at 1B. And even if/when Cabrera chokes at 3B, he’s more likely to end up the DH.
Not good.
Wait….did you say an average strike out year for Dunn is 120? I care to differ.
Maybe he meant “half” instead of “year”.
It’s a business Dan – no thank-yous
Dan had his magic moments. Still surprised Damon & Kotchman haven’t been picked up yet.
Kotchman is the one that REALLY surprises me. One of the best defensive 1Bs with at least an average bat (above average if he is “on”). One would think he would, at the very least, be a solid back-up 1B/DH with a chance to compete for a starting spot.
I honestly think the only reason Damon is not signed is Damon. One has to believe that there have been feelers (at the least) sent his way to see what it would take.
I’ve read that Damon doesn’t like the length of spring training. I’m curious to see if he waits to sign, making it possible to skip a week of reporting. He might even have a handshake agreement with a club at this point.
What an unbelievable moment. Ill never forget that HR. Ill always root for this guy just like Dewayne Wise
Dan Johnson is to the Rays what Geoff Blum is to the Sox.
No Miami Vice references? How disappointing.