The Blue Jays have outrighted infielder Munenori Kawasaki and first baseman Dan Johnson, according to the team’s official transactions page.
Kawasaki, 33, batted .258/.327/.296 in 274 plate appearances in his second season with the Blue Jays. The Japanese infielder’s outgoing nature and quirky sense of humor have made him popular with both fans and teammates, but he hasn’t hit much in either of his two seasons in the Majors. He does grade out as a solid defender at shortstop, and both Ultimate Zone Rating and Defensive Runs Saved gave positive reviews to a small sample of work at third base this season.
The 35-year-old Johnson saw some action with Toronto this season as a replacement for the injured Adam Lind. The AL East veteran (he’s also been with the Rays, Orioles and Yankees) batted .211/.333/.342 with a homer in 48 trips to the plate. Johnson posted yet another gaudy OBP total at Triple-A, slashing .232/.381/.434 with 18 homers in 459 PA. In parts of 11 seasons at the Triple-A level, the former seventh-round pick is a .281/.401/.509 hitter, so he should be able to find a home rather easily this winter if he wishes.
Muni’s actually had three seasons in the majors. He was with Seattle in 2012, then with Toronto the last two years.
As a Rays fan I have respect for Johnson’s heroics in 2011 but he has always been the classic 4A player. Kills it in the minors but just can’t do it in the majors.
Can someone explain what outright means? Can any team claim him or is there an order now?
Hopefully Muni is just signed to a AAA deal and then is back and forth between AAA and the majors for the Jays again next year.
Dan Johnson is a guy that I find more interesting career wise than Lyle Overbey. The player that can hammer down a AAA salary for a career. That’s not easy and far more financially unstable than Overbye and his $30m+