TODAY: Johnson has re-signed on a minors deal, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com tweets. As Kubatko and others have noted on Twitter, Bourn seems likely to follow suit; neither player’s locker was cleared out despite their respective releases.
MONDAY: The Orioles have announced the releases of outfielder Michael Bourn and infielder Chris Johnson. In Bourn’s case, he utilized his opt-out clause, with the team evidently unwilling to place him on the 40-man roster.
Of course, Bourn has missed most of spring camp with a broken finger, which sapped any chance at making the Opening Day roster. But it had seemed there was a chance he’d remain in the organization while rehabbing to see whether there’d be an opportunity when he returned to full health.
That said, the fit in Baltimore was never that great — at least from an outside perspective. In Hyun Soo Kim and Seth Smith, the O’s already have a pair of lefty bats that ought to occupy the corners whenever there’s a righty on the mound. And while Bourn could have spelled Adam Jones in center, that wasn’t exactly a burning need. The righty-swinging Craig Gentry could fill that role while also providing a more sensible platoon option in the corners.
It still won’t come as much of a surprise if Bourn resurfaces in the majors before long. Whether he’ll wait to sign until he’s ready to return isn’t clear, but in either event he could represent an intriguing depth option for a variety of organizations. After all, though his bat has steadily declined of late, he finished strong last year with the O’s and is still capable of contributing in the field and with the glove.
As for Johnson, a solid spring (.269/.310/.493) wasn’t enough to move the needle for the O’s, who seem likely to prioritize flexibility and defense with their bench mix. The 32-year-old had been a rather productive major league hitter before signing an extension with the Braves early in the 2014 season. Over the past three campaigns, he has scuffled to a .252/.288/.348 batting line in 1,068 plate appearances.
Bourn just makes too much sense for the Braves.
If there’s no confidence in Emilio Bonifacio. They’re both not making the team. I think depth is a weakness for the 2017 Braves and I prefer the versatility of Bonifacio. However, if Chase d’Arnaud can stand in for what Sean Rodriguez could have been for the Braves this year then I’ll take Bourn over Bonifacio.
Great screen name.
No offense but besides the abilities to play centerfield and breathe, why do you feel that Bourn makes too much sense for the Braves? As it stands now they have 3 regular everyday type outfielders who all stand to seldom take days off. Yes, Bourn probably belongs on some team’s bench, but I personally think that he is not a better option than either Bonafacio nor Jace Peterson (who both can fill in short term in centerfield). Also Bourn does nothing but replicates the type of player the Braves already have on the bench, that is mediocre defense and very little offense. If anything the Braves probably need a right handed hitting player with at least a modest bat who is also qualified to fill in at centerfield IF the team is going to make a change this late in the spring.
Does this mean Gentry made the team, because I would love to see him rebound after a couple bad seasons
Always kills me when some people see these stories then write a post saying their team should pick them up. Waiting to see a story about the Mets releasing Tebow and someone suggesting their team take a flyer..oh it’ll happen.
if it kills you, why are you not dead? or are you that type of person who says, “I’m done” or “dead” when something funny comes up?
????
The two dislikes are people who say “I’m dead” when are faced with humor!
Maybe they’re “literally dying” due to losing their ability to even.
Tebow would look great in pinstripes!!!
Hope you mean with a tie on the set of college game day.
It kills me how good Tebow would look on the Pirates team. Please don’t tease me, it’s killing me
Dead right now XD
Oh look, another CF the moron A’s are passing on in favor of the utterly mediocre Mark Canha fresh off hip surgery moving to CF to spell Rajai, but if Raj gets hurts they really are going to rue not having De Aza, Bourn or Pagan on the roster.
If I were the Yankees I would jump on Chris Johnson. I would cut Chris Carter. Strikes out too much! He ca play third and first and outfield.
As a Rays fan I hope they do exactly what you say. In fact, I hope they hire you as their GM ;)
All you people wanting bourn on your team are murderers!!!!!!!! You should be ashamed!
The Bourne Identity.
I’m dead.
Great! I didn’t like either signing…….
Detroit tigers need a outfielder
Deader than Jeff Weaver’s arm?
Bourn to the giants
Oriole’s should resign Bourn and then trade him to the mets for tebow.
I’ll take a flier and pass it on to the zombies in the stands :-)
Seems like everyone makes sense for the braves