The Braves are among the organizations considering a move for free-agent infielder/outfielder Kelly Johnson, according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter). At this stage, though, Johnson is holding out for a MLB roster spot, per the report.
Presumably, Atlanta isn’t currently willing to clear 40-man space and guarantee cash to Johnson, who turns 35 tomorrow. Whether any organization ultimately will do so remains to be seen. On the one hand, an injury could suddenly make Johnson seem quite appealing; on the other, clubs may be less inclined to promise a MLB job as camp goes on.
In the Braves’ case, the presence of Jace Peterson — another left-handed-hitting infielder who could see time at second and third — complicates matters. While both could theoretically coexist on the same roster, it’s perhaps more likely that they’d end up battling for a single job.
Though Johnson’s latest stint in Atlanta wasn’t terribly productive — he hit just .215/.273/.289 in his 132 plate appearances there last year — there’s little question that the Braves front office is favorably disposed towards Johnson. After all, the club has signed and then traded him in each of the past two seasons.
Johnson did rebound last year upon moving to the Mets (a now-familiar intra-division transition). And he has been fairly consistent in recent years, providing solid pop while representing a less-than-inspiring on-base threat. Since becoming a purely part-time player in 2013, Johnson has posted a .241/.306/.402 batting line with 47 home runs over 1,372 plate appearances. He has also shown the ability to handle just about any defensive assignment that’s thrown at him, though he has only been asked to play shortstop in a pinch.
While there are obvious limitations to Johnson’s game, he seemingly represents a solid potential bench piece for many clubs. For instance, the Royals could seemingly stand to plug in a lefty-hitting second base option (more on that here), and it’s also possible to imagine matches with the division-rival White Sox, Tigers, and Twins — among other organizations that make some degree of sense on paper.
Tigers make no sense at all
He does in that he can play 1st, 2nd, 3rd and corner outfield spots and has some left handed power off the bench. The Tigers have no one with that kind of versatility on the roster. Add to those things that he’d be a short term. low cost veteran addition to a team with payroll issues and he makes sense.
I don’t think it will happen, I’m just laying out the rationale. He does better against the way pitchers sequence games in the NL as opposed to the AL and I think he prefers the NL in general.
They should sign him just so they can trade him to the Mets mid-season.
Came in to say this. As a Mets fan I must point out the Mets have never missed the playoffs in a year they acquired Kelly Johnson!
I agree KJ will be reaquired by mid season
Why not cut out the middleman and save the prospects?
NO! He has to sign with the braves, be traded to the mets mid season, or else it wont work!
^ this
big hurt! haha No doubt, we need to get him and flip him. lol
Plus, I’m not sure we want a FULL season of KJ. Let the Braves pay him & give him unproductive playing time for 3.5 months, then we’ll take him from there. I don’t think what we’ll have to pay will count as “prospects.”
The 4th time with the team why not
Maybe he’s romantically involved with someone I’m the Braves front office
*in
And they always break up about mid season. Then they make up in the offseason, so he comes back
Mets trade for Kelly Johnson
#FutureMLBTRHeadlines
Kelly Johnson is forever linked with the Braves and Mets, just as his namesakes Howard, Van, Olson, Dr. Sam, and Gabby Johnson are forever linked with Rock Ridge in Blazing Saddles.
Lol…. great reference
I’ll bet that Kelly only eats one flavor of ice cream, too.
Hey why not hell we sign the same old veterans seems like every year. Go Braves
Makes some sense since he brings some versatility and they lost Sean Rodriguez for the season.
Maybe he can do a tour of the AL Central like he did for the AL East. Johnson has not only played for all 5 AL East teams, he played for them in consecutive order: Toronto 2011-2012, Rays 2013, and then split 2014 between the Yankees, Orioles and Red Sox.
Keeping him over Peterson would be a huge mistake. Peterson is superior in every category except power, which Johnson is average at best in.
Sweet
Breaking news: water is wet.
Brett Lawrie and Tyler Saladino appear to be available in Chicago, wondering why they haven’t drawn more interest
Braves has made a great thing by picking up Rex Brothers. All of you will see , he will be in the new ballpark