The Marlins have agreed to sign corner infielder Chris Johnson, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports on Twitter. He was recently cut loose by the Indians after spending the last few months of 2015 in Cleveland following a trade from the Braves.
Johnson could provide a complement to left-handed-hitting first baseman Justin Bour, Jackson suggests. He’s spent most of his career at third base, of course, and would boost the team’s depth there as well, though starter Martin Prado and utility option Derek Dietrich are already in place.
The 31-year-old Johnson owns a .280/.316/.411 slash in his seven big league seasons. He’s a good line-drive hitter who makes plenty of contact, but the lack of power and mediocre fielding reviews have held down his value.
While it hasn’t yet been reported whether Johnson will receive a major league deal, most of Johnson’s salary ($7.5MM this year, and $9MM next) will be covered by Cleveland regardless. Much like Edwin Jackson, who also agreed with the Fish recently, Miami will get a more or less free roll opportunity on a veteran looking for a chance to re-establish himself as a viable Major League contributor.
still waiting for AJ Preller to make a splash…….hopefully better than this move for the Marlins.
Smart move by the Marlins to add some depth to their team. They seem to be moving in the right direction.
Cheap rebound projects at next to no thing prices. Almost wished the Braves picked him back up since we are technically still paying for him.
Heck no, Chris Johnson’s temper is the anti-thesis of the kind of professionalism our club expects. I still remember him picking fights in MIA egging on Jose Fernandez after admiring a HR (McCann met Fernandez at home plate), but Johnson kept yapping the entire time. I’m glad he’s gone. He’s not worth his wait in Gatorade and his outbursts are embarrassing.
Good call.
I’m hearing reports that Johnson gets a one year vesting option if he forgives Jose Fernandez for spitting near 3rd base after his homer.
Johnson clearly spat first, in addition to the other ridiculous things he did that night
No you’re right. Johnson made himself look like a fool that night.
Playing Jose will be interesting to watch
Playing with**
I was hoping for Jonny Gomes. Not bad. Younger. Does still hit lefties well. I would have preferred Gomes for his leadership. Also, if I’m in the Marlins clubhouse, I’m still a little salty about the way Johnson acted on September 11, 2013.. This is definitely an improvement. I think I called them signing him when he was DFA’d/released by the Indians lol. They’re also likely getting him for the minimum, similarly to Edwin Jackson, so they save a couple of million compared to Gomes, who probably wouldnt have signed with this organization anyway
Club house cancer that’s what this fool is. Should have let him rot.