The Rays announced on Monday that they’ve claimed infielder Micah Johnson off outright waivers from the Giants. San Francisco had designated Johnson for assignment last week prior to setting the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft.
Once considered the second baseman of the future for the White Sox, Johnson went from Chicago to the Dodgers by way of the three-team trade that sent Todd Frazier to the Reds to the ChiSox. Johnson spent the 2016 season in the Dodgers’ organization but was flipped to Atlanta last January. He enjoyed a solid run with Atlanta’s Triple-A affiliate, hitting .289/.377/.400 in a small sample of 155 plate appearances but also missed a significant portion of the year due to a fractured left wrist.
Thus far in the offseason alone, Johnson has gone from the Braves, to the Reds, to the Giants, to the Rays — all via claims off of outright waivers.
6 down 24 to go
Should hit 7 by the end of spring training.
Wasn’t there a pitcher last winter who bounced around to 6 or 7 teams the same way?
Yea, David Rollins. Here’s his entire transaction list during last year’s off season:
November 18, 2016: Selected off waivers by the Chicago Cubs from the Seattle Mariners.
November 22, 2016: Selected off waivers by the Texas Rangers from the Chicago Cubs.
December 2, 2016: Selected off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies from the Texas Rangers.
December 21, 2016: Selected off waivers by the Texas Rangers from the Philadelphia Phillies.
December 23, 2016: Selected off waivers by the Chicago Cubs from the Texas Rangers
I swear there was another guy though that got traded/claimed 5 or 6 times last off season though.
Brady Dragmire.
Ironically it was Richie Shaffer a former Rays 1st round pick, we sent him to Seattle, who I think DFA’d him, and like 2 other teams did the same, Brewers and the Reds maybe but can’t remember exactly, but I think it was 4 teams within like a month
Ok 24 more to go
This years Dragmire
This is the first time Micah Johnson cleared waivers in the NL and the White Sox would have had a chance to grab him before the Rays since they had a worse record. Of course, the White Sox currently have only one open spot on their 40-man roster heading into December and the winter meetings and didn’t feel the need to fill it with my guy.
We’ll see how long Johnson lasts on the Rays 40-man list. This waiver claim could be an indicator that the Rays just might decide to undergo their own rebuild which has been a topic for debate this offseason. They have plenty of desirable veterans from which to trade off their roster which might give a player like Johnson a shot at a big league job in 2018.
Please stop referring to Micah Johnson as an infielder. He has hardly played any infield position other than 2B in his pro career (2 at 3B with the Dodger AAA affiliate in 2016) and he can’t do that with any semblance of competency due to a chronic elbow issue and stone hands. If he does earn a roster spot with an MLB club on opening day it will be as a LF/DH/PH/PR and an emergency backup at 2B, not as any type of utility “infielder”.
And there went the best trade chip the Giants had for Stanton
It’s David Rollins all over again
He has been on 4 teams in the last 33 days
Johnson’s bat doesn’t get rave reviews
Next week: “Rays DFA Micah Johnson”
Week after that: “(MLB team) claims Micah Johnson off wavier from Rays”
They will DFA Friday not next week to make room for a rule 5 pick.. I think it’s Friday. Lol