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Cubs Sign Reed Johnson

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1:48pm: The Chicago Tribune says the deal is for $1.3MM.  BP’s Nate Silver weighs in on the move here.

12:35pm: Levine now reports that the Cubs have signed Johnson.  For a team focused on winning now, it’s not a bad move.  Only drawback might be the Murton situation.  Meanwhile, Evan Grant says the Rangers reduced their demands for Marlon Byrd but the Cubs still decided to pass.

11:41am: It’s all Reed Johnson, all the time here at MLBTR.  Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 says the Cubs will make a contract offer to Johnson once he clears waivers about twenty minutes from now.  Cubs GM Jim Hendry has already been in contact with Arn Tellem, Johnson’s agent.  Matt Murton might be the odd man out if the Cubs complete the signing.  I’ll update this post if more info rolls in today.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Reed Johnson

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On Sunday the Jays released Reed Johnson, but he will not remain unemployed long as several teams need help in the outfield or on the bench. Ken Rosenthal notes that the Cubs, Red Sox, Rays and Rangers have shown interest in Johnson, while Jim Baubach added the Mets to the equation. That is a lot of interest in a player that has 42 home runs, 28 steals and a career OPS+ of 95 in 4.5 seasons. Then again, with one week prior to the regular season, there are not a lot of options available. It’s not like a player that posted a 170 OPS+ in 2007 is available…Oh wait…Never mind…Let’s take a look at what is being written about Johnson in the Blogosphere.

  • Mets Geek believes that Johnson is exactly what the Mets need, noting that he would be the right-handed bat that the bottom of the Mets order desperately needs. They also like his defense and the fact that he comes without having to surrender players.
  • MetsBlog is not convinced that Johnson is much of an upgrade over Angel Pagan or Brady Clark and feels the Mets prefer Xavier Nady but are content with Pagan if Nady cannot be acquired.
  • MetsMerized was against trading for Johnson but doesn’t see how Omar Minaya can pass on signing him now.
  • Baseball Crank sees Johnson as a good fit for the Mets, noting that he has a solid career line against lefties, but concedes that what little power he has shown came at the hitter-friendly Skydome, or whatever they are calling it these days.
  • Cobra Brigade sees the Cubs signing either Johnson or Jeff DaVanon, whichever comes at the cheaper price.
  • Crawley’s Cub Kingdom feels the Cubs are going to make a deal and that a player like Johnson may fit better than a Coco Crisp or Marlon Byrd, both of whom may complain about playing time and impede the progress of Felix Pie.

Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.

Odds and Ends: Giles, Crisp, A-Rod

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Nothing huge cooking this morning, so here are some odds and ends.

  • Doesn’t look like the Dodgers will acquire Marcus Giles.
  • Rany Jazayerli writes about how Kansas City is home to many of the country’s best baseball journalists.  On a related note, the Star’s Sam Mellinger has a chat with Brian Bannister on his blog.
  • Coco Crisp rattles off the trade rumors he’s heard: Cubs, Sox, A’s, Padres.  No deal appears imminent, though Crisp was healthy enough to pinch-run this morning.
  • John Harper snags an exclusive with Alex Rodriguez.  A-Rod admitted he chose the Rangers over the Mets for money and feared he was going down that road again this past winter.
  • Roch Kubatko writes that Brian Roberts was pulled from the lineup today for back pain, hoping to nip trade speculation in the bud.
  • The Phillies have to make a decision on Kris Benson today.
  • Aaron Gleeman weighs in on the Joe Nathan extension.  Buster Olney talked to baseball execs who felt the Twins should’ve added Nathan’s money to their Johan offer.

Cubs’ Talks For Roberts Reach Impasse

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According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs are unlikely to acquire second baseman Brian Roberts prior to the start of the season.  Jim Hendry and Andy MacPhail apparently could not find a match for the players involved.  The Cubs have also been scouting the Nationals; Felipe Lopez may be Plan B.  Shortstop is the main position where the Cubs are questionable.

It sounds like Hendry’s priority may now be finding outfield help, with Reed Johnson atop his list.  The Cubs don’t want to enter the season without a backup plan for Felix Pie.

Who Wants Reed Johnson?

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3:40pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are "showing the heaviest interest" in Johnson.  Johnson does make sense for the Cubs, playing center when the team faces a lefty.  It might hold Felix Pie back slightly, but it’s a win-now move.

Rosenthal says the Red Sox, Rays, and Rangers are the other teams in on Johnson.  It’s definitely surprising to see the Sox and Rangers in the mix as neither club is light on outfielders.

9:40am: If 31 year-old outfielder Reed Johnson clears release waivers, he’s going to be a hot commodity.  Already, the expected three teams have been named as possibilities in their respective newspapers.

  • On Sunday, Joel Sherman characterized the Mets’ interest as "mild at best."  Bart Hubbuch says the Mets are interested but quotes Omar Minaya as saying the Mets will go with internal options.
  • Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says the Cubs have interest in Johnson, noting that Jim Hendry is likely to make an acquisition this week.  Jeff DaVanon is another (less likely) option. Gordon Wittenmyer says the Cubs would have interest in Johnson if he clears release waivers.
  • Joe Smith connects the Rays to Johnson and DaVanon, though only in speculation.
  • I asked ESPN’s Keith Law how Johnson handled center field.  He said: "I haven’t seen him since the injury, but he could play it every day when I was with Toronto, and he has a plus arm."

Could Cubs Switch From Roberts To López?

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Nationals infielder Felipe López has been adamant about being their starting second baseman, but word out of National’s camp is that Ronnie Belliard is their guy at second. López has played some short this spring, but Cristian Guzman has that position locked up, which all but ensures López a backup role and a warm seat in the bench.

López isn’t too happy about that, but will he demand a trade? The Nats’ front office says it won’t be forced into making a deal.   However, according to the Washington Post, the Nats are indeed actively shopping López.  The Cubs had scouts in the seats for Friday’s game.

As you’re more than aware, the Cubs have been in constant discussions with the Orioles about Brian Roberts, but both teams are far from reaching a deal.  It’s possible the Cubs are considering Plan B.

Alejandro Leal writes for umpbump.com. He can be reached here.

Orioles Eyeing Cubs’ Marshall?

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The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says the Cubs offered the Orioles Ronny Cedeno, Sean Gallagher, Donald Veal, and possibly Jose Ceda for Brian Roberts earlier this spring.  As you know, there are differing schools of thought on whether the Cubs took the initiative and made an offer.  And Ceda’s inclusion is questionable.

Regardless, one player Baltimore may have in mind is pitcher Sean Marshall. The Cubs do not have room for the lefty in the rotation or the bullpen – always a situation conducive to trade rumors – and the Orioles had scouts in the stands yesterday, during Marshall’s start against the Rockies.

Marshall said he doesn’t pay any attention to those guys, however. "They’re there every day."

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com. She can be reached here.

Tigers Said To Be Targeting Wuertz; Cubs Disagree

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The Detroit Tigers have some last-minute shopping left to do to shore up their bullpen. As you learned on Friday, Jon Paul Morosi noted the Tigers’ interest in righty Mike Wuertz and the Cubs’ fondness for Brandon Inge and Marcus Thames. Inge, it’s worth noting, has seen time at catcher, third base, and all three outfield positions—and as of this spring, even shortstop.

The Chicago Sun-Times, however, says Inge and Thames "make no sense for the Cubs" and that the Cubs have as of yet had no discussions with the Tigers about a deal for Wuertz involving those players. (For what it’s worth, Baseball America does see some validity in the Inge-to-Chicago rumors.)

The Sun-Times also notes that Wuertz is one of just two Cubs pitchers not to allow a run this spring (lefty Carmen Pignatiello is the other), while Cubs manager Lou Piniella affirms that the only remaining hole on his roster is "somebody that can help out in center field."

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com. She can be reached here.

Tigers Interested In Wuertz

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According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers are targeting Cubs reliever Mike Wuertz.  He notes that the Cubs like Marcus Thames and Brandon Inge.  Thames’ inability to play center and Inge’s contract could be issues though, in my opinion. 

Wuertz, 29, is an underrated reliever with a nasty slider.  Given the state of Detroit’s bullpen, he could see save chances if acquired. This was his first year of arbitration eligibility, and he settled at $860K.  Wuertz is pretty far down in the Cubs’ bullpen pecking order, for some reason.

Three CF Options For Cubs

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SI.com’s Jon Heyman reiterates the Cubs’ concern with Felix Pie, setting out the three main trade candidates for the team.

  • Coco Crisp probably won’t get dealt until he proves he’s healthy.  Even then, as I’ve said, $11MM over two years is a lot for a fourth outfielder.  The Cubs may have competition from the Rays and A’s for Crisp.
  • Jay Payton would be a salary dump given the $5MM owed to him this year.  The Cubs could take him while passing off the $16.25MM owed to Jason Marquis.  The Cubs would love to move Marquis, though Jon Lieber’s willingness to pitch out of the pen reduces the urgency.  The Cubs are growing frustrated in their attempt to get Brian Roberts from the Orioles.
  • Then there’s Marlon Byrd; T.R. Sullivan said on Friday that talks weren’t dead.  Today, Evan Grant wrote that the Cubs will do Byrd straight up for Matt Murton and that’s a "take it or leave it" offer.
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