The Braves have maintained a dialogue with versatile utility man Kelly Johnson, tweets MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, adding that it “still seems like there’s a chance a deal could be reached.” David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution takes the Johnson news a step further, tweeting that he’s been told there’s a better than 50-50 chance that the two sides will agree to a deal.
Johnson, 34 in February, split the 2015 campaign between the Braves and Mets, logging time at all four infield positions (although just nine innings at shortstop) as well as both corner outfield positions. Johnson graded out as an above-average defender in left field over the course of his career and drew solid ratings there in 2015 as well. He also has a solid defensive track record at second base, in the eyes of metrics like Ultimate Zone Rating and Defensive Runs Saved, although he drew below-average ratings in a small sample of 204 innings in 2015.
At the plate, Johnson delivered above-average results, batting .265/.314/.435 with 14 home runs in just 335 plate appearances. The Mets and Braves platooned the left-handed-hitting Johnson heavily, which likely contributed to his quality results. Johnson has typically struggled against left-handed pitching, but he has a strong track record when holding the platoon advantage and has long displayed power in such situations, as evidenced by a career .177 isolated power mark (that is, slugging percentage minus bating average). Currently, the Braves have Jace Peterson and Gordon Beckham atop their depth chart at second base. At third base, Adonis Garcia and Beckham (both right-handed hitters) figure to handle most of the duties.
Veteran LH Bat to mentor some of the younger players. Makes sense
The Beckham deal bummed me out because it hurt the chances of a Johnson reunion. This is good news, especially if he doesn’t mind being dealt mid season again.
Garcia is a question mark and this would definitely pad the floor for a replacement if needed
I like Kelly Johnson, he is a class act, get ur done
I hope they make this happen. How does he grade as a RF’er? The Braves need to flip Markakis back to the O’s or get the Angels involved. Both teams need an OF’er and don’t want to sign any of the premium guys left on the market so it would be a good time to get a great return for Nick.
No way should we get the Angels involved. They’ve already got a very weak farm system and we already took their top 2 prospects.
As for trading Markakis that’s not really a good idea. He’s got a tram friendly deal for 3 more years. Not to mention coming off neck surgery last off season his power numbers are down so we’d be selling low on him. If we trade him it would be best to wait until next off season. Let his power come back to him this year. And even if it doesn’t return the free agent market will be so thin that he’d still get a better return than he would right now
You won’t get any return until he hits a few bombs. I can see a midsession trade, but if he plays better the Braves would just rather keep him
Yeah the Angels won’t be involved at all. They have a GG RF and just signed 2 guys to platoon in LF. The Royals would be a good match. Of course they went after him in FA, but even if he doesn’t supply power, he’s a perfect fit for the Royals with his low K’s, AVG, OBP, Doubles, and fielding(although i can’t attest as to how good that is anymore). But I can’t see them giving up a good prospect. Braves should just give him away and save 33million
From a braves fan’s point of view I can only say PLEASE sign KJ!
In fact his numbers are about the same batting against LHP as against RHP for his career and there are even seasons early on where he did far better against lefties. Don’t know what the writer of this piece was looking at.
I hope the Braves can resign him!
I love KJ, and not just as classy vet to help mentor younger player, he has been vastly underrated on the field as well. He was great before he went on the DL in June last year.
I was kinda sad to see him moved last season.
So flowers/aj
Freeman/swish
Jace/beckham/kj
Aybar/Castro
Garcia
Olivera
Bourn
Inciarte
Markakis
With an 11 man staff?
Doesn’t seem right. How is beckham at short?
I’m not a 100% sure that Castro makes the team coming out of spring training. Bonafacio, KJ and Peterson have all played some shortstop in their careers ( major or minors) although none of the three would be more than stop gap emergency measures there in my opinion. I’d think that it is highly likely Kelly Johnson would get the majority of his atbats at thirdbase and not second as you have listed.
And forgot to mention that Beckham has managed at shortstop too but it is not his best position either.
Beckham isn’t a good shortstop, and KJ would be at third, second, and corner outfield he can provide depth at short in a short term basis
Kelly Johnson wouldn’t even be considered an option for short. Jace, Bonifacio and Beckham may see time as in giving Aybar a day off here and there but if something were to happen Aybar that lasted longer than anything short term, they’d call up Castro. I wouldn’t even consider KJ capable of short term. He’s just simply not a shortstop.
I would like to see my DBacks bring him back. He can provide veteran presence for Owings and Ahmed, while providing a hot bat off the bench. Would not cost them a draft pick like Kendricks either.
I would be quite pleased if this were to happen. The guy is a decent player and a familiar face who also seems to be comfortable with the organization. I don’t see the harm in having him compete for the utility spot or even be a starter if Jace, 3B, or a corner OF spot gets hurt / completely flops.